Explora Journeys celebrated three separate milestones on Monday, July 14, 2025–the float out of EXPLORA III, the coin ceremony of EXPLORA IV and the steel cutting of EXPLORA V. The triple ceremony took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy.
The MSC Cruises-owned luxury cruise line is set to operate six ships in total by 2028. Explora Journeys currently operates EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II at near capacity in the Mediterranean Sea. EXPLORA III joins the fleet in 2025 and will be the first to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG). EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V will follow in 2027, and EXPLORA VI in 2028.
Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, said, “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. 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. Guided by our values of care, respect, and excellence, we are not just building ships – we are creating a legacy of transformative journeys that will endure for generations to come.”
Caroline Cooney-Hurrell, Customer Journey Strategist at Explora Journeys served as godmother for the coin ceremony of EXPLORA IV. She was chosen in recognition of her dedication to the brand for the past five years. Cooney-Hurrell was instrumental in establishing the Explora Experience Centre operations which provides outstanding service for each guest. Representing the Fincantieri team as godmother for the coin ceremony was Franca Parisi, Head of Quality and Performance Improvement.
EXPLORA III will feature 463 ocean facing suites, six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, and five heated pools. When she debuts, she will sail throughout Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland, as well as North America’s East Coast and New England.