The delivery of EXPLORA III, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente (Genoa), marks a new milestone in the growth of Explora Journeys, the MSC Group's ultra-luxury ocean travel brand. It also represents a new phase in the more than €3.5 billion investment the MSC Group is making in its fleet. All six ships have been designed and built by Fincantieri in Italy, the result of a long-standing collaboration that showcases the best of Italian shipbuilding, craftsmanship, and innovation.
The official delivery of EXPLORA III was celebrated with the traditional handover ceremony at the Genoa shipyard. Attendees included Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group's Cruise Division; Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys; Biagio Mazzotta, Chairman of Fincantieri; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri; and Luigi Matarazzo, Managing Director of Fincantieri's Merchant Ship Division. Also present were Italian dignitaries, including Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa, and Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region. The ceremony, hosted by renowned Italian television presenter Lorella Cuccarini, celebrated the continued expansion of Explora Journeys' six-ship fleet.
The celebrations continued with a performance by the Italian dance group Urban Theory, followed by the traditional parade of the EXPLORA III officers and Fincantieri shipyard workers, a tribute to the craftsmanship that made the new vessel possible. Accompanied by Captain Serena Melani, Pierfrancesco Vago and Pierroberto Folgiero presided over the symbolic flag-raising ceremony, accompanied by the national anthems of Italy and Malta, which marked the official transfer of the ship from the builder to the owner. After the ship's blessing, the EXPLORA III's godmother, Maya Aponte, brought the ceremony to a close with the traditional ribbon-cutting and the breaking of the bottle.
Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, stated:“Today is another proud day for Explora Journeys as we officially welcome EXPLORA III to our growing fleet. With each new ship, we have the opportunity to listen, learn, and refine our offering, building on what our guests value most and staying true to the vision that defines our brand. EXPLORA III represents the next step in our journey to redefine ocean travel through thoughtful innovation, exceptional design, and the intuitive hospitality that lies at the heart of the Explora Journeys experience. As a privately held, family-owned company with a deep maritime heritage, we remain committed to long-term investment, always placing our guests at the center of every decision.”
With a length 19.2 meters longer, EXPLORA III is the most spacious ship in the fleet, offering a greater sense of spaciousness, privacy and comfort without significantly increasing the number of passengers compared to its sister ships, EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II.
The ship incorporates three new dining concepts: The Cellar, The Chef's Table, and Shore Club on 11, further enriching Explora Journeys' renowned culinary offerings. It also features:
- a second Owner's Residence, designed by the prestigious architect and designer Patricia Urquiola;
- an expanded collection of Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences;
- completely redesigned Ocean Wellness facilities, integrating spa and gym in the same space;
- and Chopard's first boutique on board one of the company's ships.
All these new developments reflect Explora Journeys' commitment to continue evolving the guest experience and setting a new benchmark in ultra-luxury ocean travel.
Following its delivery, EXPLORA III will undertake a single Mediterranean Prelude Journey, a special five-night cruise departing from Genoa on July 24, 2026 and ending in Civitavecchia (Rome) on July 29.
Designed as an intimate and exclusive experience, this voyage will explore the French and Italian Riviera, with stops in Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Livorno. For the first two days, global tennis icon and brand ambassador Jannik Sinner will be aboard. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the management team, designers, and officers responsible for the ship's development, as well as be among the first to discover its new spaces, suites, and wellness areas.
Following the presentation cruise, EXPLORA III will arrive in Barcelona, where it will be officially christened on August 1, 2026.
On August 3, 2026, the ship will embark on its inaugural voyage, a seven-night itinerary between Barcelona and Lisbon, kicking off its first season exploring Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and North America. Each itinerary will be unique and designed to encourage deeper immersion in the destinations, with longer stays and a more relaxed pace. From the ports of the Baltic and the Norwegian fjords to the remote landscapes of Iceland, the journey will culminate with a transatlantic crossing via Greenland to the Maritime Provinces of Canada and New England.
In 2027, EXPLORA III will inaugurate the first season of Explora Journeys in Alaska, offering itineraries focused on glaciers, pristine wilderness and extraordinary wildlife.
The brand's global expansion will continue in 2028 with the launch of EXPLORA V in Asia, incorporating a new collection of trips through one of the world's most culturally rich and diverse regions.
Advanced environmental technology
As Explora Journeys' first ship equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG), EXPLORA III represents a further step in the company's environmental strategy. Its LNG capability will allow for the future use of renewable fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, as they become available.
In addition, it has a connection to the electrical grid in port (shore power), which will allow it to turn off its engines while docked in ports that have this infrastructure, thus reducing direct emissions and improving air quality.
With the delivery of EXPLORA III, Explora Journeys reaches the halfway point in the development of its six-ship fleet, with three units already in service. Meanwhile, Fincantieri continues construction of EXPLORA IV, EXPLORA V, and EXPLORA VI, which are scheduled to be commissioned between 2027 and 2028.
These new state-of-the-art ships will continue to drive the brand's vision and incorporate increasingly advanced environmental technologies, contributing to the MSC Group's Cruise Division's commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its maritime operations and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
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