Just a little over one month after Explora I embarked on her maiden voyage, Explora Journeys is celebrating two milestones at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy.
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of the MSC Group, celebrated two maritime milestones with the float out of Explora II, which is expected to debut in summer 2024, and the steel cutting of Explora III, which is expected to debut in 2026. The ceremony was attended by officials from the cruise line, the shipyard and the local government.
Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer of Explora Journeys, said, “The double event today marks another major step forward on our mission to redefine ocean travel for today’s discerning luxury travellers. Following the successful launch of Explora I and the incredibly positive feedback from the first guests, travel advisors and media, who had a chance to experience the Ocean State of Mind, the story continues, and we are now beyond thrilled to witness the next important construction milestones for both Explora II and our first LNG powered ship Explora III. We are proud that our four ships are built by Fincantieri, further underlining our commitment to Italy.”
The float out of Explora II is a significant milestone in that it represents the first time that a new ship will touch water. She will now enter the final phases of construction as interiors, fixtures and fittings are completed.
Now that the steel cutting ceremony of Explora III has been held, she is officially under construction. She will be the first of Explora Journey’s fleet to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) when she enters service in the summer of 2026.
While only two of the four ships that will be in Explora Journeys fleet will be powered by LNG, all of the ships will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies which includes shore power plug in connectivity, underwater noise management systems to protect marine life and multiple onboard energy efficient systems to reduce emissions.
Construction will begin on Explora IV in January 2024 and will be completed early 2027.