Explora Journeys Marks Triple Shipbuilding Milestone at Fincantieri

Explora Journeys marked a three-part shipbuilding milestone on March 3 at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Italy, combining a technical launch for Explora IV, a coin ceremony for Explora V, and the start of construction for Explora VI.

The three vessels are part of a six-ship series being built for the luxury brand under MSC Group’s cruise division, with planned entries into service from 2027 through 2028. Two ships, Explora I and Explora II, are already operating, and Explora III is in sea trials ahead of its scheduled delivery in July 2026 and entry into service in early August 2026.

Three shipyard milestones in one day

The March 3 events reflected three traditional shipyard steps that track a vessel’s progress from early construction through readiness for later outfitting. Civil and military authorities attended and were welcomed by representatives from MSC, Explora Journeys, and Fincantieri.

• Explora IV reached its technical launch stage at the Sestri Ponente yard, accompanied by a ribbon-cutting led by godmother Cristina Bacigalupo, a Fincantieri employee at the shipyard.
• Explora V advanced with a coin ceremony presided over by two godmothers, Serena Melani, Captain of Explora ships, and Alice Gallo, a Fincantieri employee at Sestri Ponente.
• Explora VI formally began construction with a steel-cutting milestone that kicked off the build process for the final ship in the six-vessel plan.

Fleet rollout and the build schedule through 2028

Explora IV and Explora V are scheduled to enter service in 2027, while Explora VI is planned to follow in 2028. With Explora III moving from sea trials toward delivery, Fincantieri is simultaneously working across multiple stages of the program at the same shipyard.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division, described the day as a checkpoint for the brand’s overall industrial plan. “With two vessels already in operation, a third arriving in early August and the remaining three under construction simultaneously, the entire Explora fleet is, for the first time, already present with the industrial plan well on track to be fully realized in a short timeframe,” Vago said.

Positioning Explora Journeys in the luxury segment

Vago also pointed to the pace at which the luxury brand has been built within MSC Group’s cruise division. “We are proud, that, in just a few years and starting from scratch, we have succeeded in building a successful new brand that is profoundly innovating the concept of luxury thanks to an exclusive platform of state-of-the-art ships, refined onboard services and global itineraries,” he said.

For Explora’s newest ships in the series, the upcoming vessels, including Explora III as well as Explora IV, Explora V, and Explora VI, are listed at 922 passengers.

LNG propulsion across the series, with fuel cells planned for Explora VI

Fincantieri is building the Explora ships under construction at Sestri Ponente as LNG-powered vessels, aligning the series around liquefied natural gas propulsion as the baseline for the class. MSC has described the LNG approach as part of a push to reduce environmental impact.

Fincantieri CEO and managing director Pierroberto Folgiero said later ships in the series are expected to incorporate additional technology, pointing to Explora VI as an example. The ship is set to adopt a “highly innovative fuel cell propulsion system,” he said.

Folgiero also linked the triple milestone to the shipbuilder’s ability to execute overlapping projects. “We are pleased to contribute to the success of Italian luxury at sea alongside MSC and Explora,” he said, adding that the ceremonies demonstrated Fincantieri’s ability to manage “complex industrial programs with continuity, quality and strong technological vision.”

Investment and the wider luxury newbuild pipeline

MSC Group has put the investment for the six Explora Journeys ships at approximately €3.5 billion. The group’s total investment with Fincantieri was cited at around €7 billion when also accounting for four MSC Cruises ships previously ordered and delivered by the shipbuilder: MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, and MSC Seascape.

Explora’s expansion is unfolding alongside a broader wave of luxury ship introductions expected through 2027, with more than three dozen new luxury vessels slated to enter the market in that period. The forward schedule includes projects tied to brands such as Four Seasons and Orient Express, including Four Seasons I with a capacity of 190 passengers and Orient Express Corinthian aimed at 108 guests, while Viking Ocean is set to introduce vessels including Viking Mira and Viking Libra, each accommodating 998 passengers.

With new capacity entering the market, operators are increasingly emphasizing tailored experiences, sustainability initiatives, and diversification into specialized itineraries, while the market is expected to reach unprecedented levels of demand by the end of this decade.

With Explora III set for delivery in July 2026 and entry into service in early August 2026, attention now shifts to the build progression of Explora IV and Explora V ahead of their 2027 debuts, and to Explora VI’s construction path toward its planned 2028 entry into service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a coin ceremony in shipbuilding?

A coin ceremony is a traditional milestone held during construction, often associated with placing commemorative coins to mark progress and bring good fortune to the vessel and its crew.

What does a technical launch mean for a cruise ship?

A technical launch generally marks the point when a hull is moved into the water for the first time, allowing the ship to proceed into outfitting and later testing phases before delivery.

When will the next Explora Journeys ships enter service?

Explora III is scheduled for delivery in July 2026 and is expected to enter service in early August 2026. Explora IV and Explora V are planned to enter service in 2027, followed by Explora VI in 2028.

Which Explora ships are being built as LNG-powered vessels?

Fincantieri is building the Explora ships under construction at Sestri Ponente as LNG-powered vessels, including Explora III, Explora IV, Explora V, and Explora VI.

What makes Explora Journeys unique in the luxury cruise industry?

Explora Journeys has positioned itself around an “exclusive platform of state-of-the-art ships, refined onboard services and global itineraries,” while also highlighting technology choices such as LNG propulsion and, for Explora VI, a planned fuel cell propulsion system.