Explora Journeys, the luxury arm of MSC Cruises Group, has marked key construction milestones for three of its future vessels at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Genoa.

The construction milestones come as the brand continues its expansion toward a six-ship fleet by 2028, and ahead of its planned 2026/27 cruise season in the Arabian Gulf out of Dubai.

The trio of events, held on July 14th, included the float-out of Explora III, the coin ceremony for Explora IV, and the steel-cutting for Explora V. All three are being built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri as part of a €3.5 billion investment in the brand’s development.

Explora III, now structurally complete, is scheduled to enter service in 2026. Explora IV and V are due in 2027, with Explora VI to follow in 2028. The first two ships, Explora I and II, are already in operation, with Explora II sailing in the Arabian Gulf next year.

“Today marks a proud milestone for Explora Journeys as we celebrate three remarkable ships – each a symbol of our ambition to redefine ultra-elegant ocean travel,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “This triple celebration reflects the strength of our vision and the power of collaboration between our team, our partners at Fincantieri, and the unwavering support of the Aponte-Vago family.”

The triple milestone event reflects steady progress in the shipbuilding timeline, with each ship being constructed to incorporate newer sustainability measures. From Explora III onward, vessels will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and prepared for future use of bio-LNG, synthetic LNG, and eventually fuel cell technologies.

Two representatives — Caroline Cooney-Hurrell from Explora Journeys and Franca Parisi from Fincantieri — served as godmothers during the coin ceremony for Explora IV. Both were acknowledged for their roles in the project and in the brand’s early development.

The newer ships will also see changes to their onboard layout and accommodation mix. 

Explora III will feature 463 suites, including a higher proportion of Ocean Penthouses and Residences compared to earlier ships in the class, while a second Owner’s Residence has also been added to the design.

Explora Journeys, which positions itself within the luxury segment of the cruise industry, launched its first vessel, Explora I, in 2023.