Explora Journeys held a triple celebration at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, near Genoa, Italy, as the new luxury brand continues to grow towards a total of six ships planned for 2028.
EXPLORA II has been delivered and will become the second ship to join the MSC Group's luxury travel brand's fleet of six ships, valued at €3.5 billion. The ship will set sail on its maiden voyage on September 16 from Civitavecchia, Italy, to Sicily, Malta, and Spain.
The traditional maritime ceremony in which a shipbuilder delivers the new ship to its owner was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the MSC Group's Cruise Division, the ship's godmother Stefania Vago, as well as Biagio Mazzotta, Chairman of Fincantieri, and Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of the shipbuilder, along with representatives of the MSC construction team and shipyard managers and workers.
Delivery of EXPLORA II at the Fincantieri shipyards in Italy
EXPLORA II, at 63,900 GT, will operate in the Caribbean Sea in winter and return to the Mediterranean in summer 2025. The new luxury ship features 461 suites, penthouses and oceanfront residences, six different restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, four swimming pools and various wellness spaces.
Today, the EXPLORA III coin ceremony also took place at the shipyard. The ship's two godmothers, Verena Koetzle, Global Director of Public Relations for Explora Journeys, and Martina Giardina, Public Area Supervisor at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente Shipyard, placed commemorative coins inside the vessel as a sign of blessing during construction and good fortune for the future. EXPLORA III, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), will enter service in 2026. LNG is a step towards renewable alternatives, such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG.
Explora Journeys' third celebration was a steel-cutting ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard to kick off construction of EXPLORA IV, which will also be powered by LNG and is due for completion in early 2027. EXPLORA V will join the luxury fleet in 2027 and EXPLORA VI in 2028, with a project underway to equip both with a large fuel cell capacity capable of converting renewable LNG into hydrogen and significantly reducing emissions.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, stated: “The delivery of EXPLORA II represents a significant milestone for Explora Journeys and the MSC Group, in our commitment to setting new standards in luxury ocean travel. On this special day, we also celebrate the EXPLORA III coin ceremony and the start of construction on EXPLORA IV, as we continue to deliver on our commitment to creating a best-in-class fleet of six ships that will offer an even greater number of guests an unparalleled luxury ocean travel experience.”
EXPLORA III coin ceremony powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Captain Serena Melani will be the captain of EXPLORA II, marking a historic moment as it is the second time a female captain has led a ship for Explora Journeys, following her role as captain of EXPLORA I.
EXPLORA II, designed and built under the RINA Class, has earned several additional ratings due to its innovative design and construction focused on environmental sustainability and passenger comfort. It has received RINA's "Green Plus" rating for its outstanding environmental performance. The ship has also received the "Noise and Vibration Comfort" rating for its low noise and vibration levels, which enhance onboard comfort. Furthermore, it received the "Dolphin" rating for minimizing noise impact in ecologically sensitive marine areas and is certified to the Polar Code C, enabling safe navigation in polar waters.
EXPLORA II has been developed to further enhance the guest experience and, like its sister ship EXPLORA I, embodies a fusion of elegant Swiss precision and modern European craftsmanship. In collaboration with leading superyacht and hospitality designers, every aspect of the new ship has been designed to evoke an “Ocean State of Mind” that reflects Explora Journeys’ approach to luxury.
EXPLORA II's Journeys Lounge, casino, and Fil Rouge restaurant have been refreshed with new colors and materials while maintaining their original layouts, and the Explora Lounge, Crema Café, and Atoll Pool have been updated with new designs and furnishings to create more space for guests. Custom-made Unopiù outdoor furniture has been added to the Helios Pool & Bar to enhance the open-air ocean experience.
First steel cut for LNG-powered EXPLORA IV
The Ocean Wellness Spa boasts a new and refined concept, with updated décor and materials, and the Australian brand Subtle Energies has been added. The Anthology restaurant has been redesigned to offer exceptional Italian cuisine, and EXPLORA II will also feature the first Buccellati jewelry boutique at sea to complement the luxurious onboard shopping experience.
EXPLORA II will feature original artwork by Emilio Isgró and “Marine Encounters” by Prince Hussein Aga Khan, an exhibition of his marine photographs showcasing diverse underwater species and ecosystems. This exquisite collection of marine photography was donated to the MSC Foundation as part of the partnership between the MSC Foundation and Focused on Nature, reflecting a shared vision to educate and inspire action on the need to preserve marine life and biodiversity.
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