Explora Journeys has launched the bow section of the Explora V at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard in Sicily.

Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the vessel will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Following the first transfer from land to water and the initial outfitting in Palermo, the bow section will be transferred to Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, where construction will be completed.

“We are pleased to mark the launch of the bow section of Explora V, an important milestone in the continued development of our fleet,” said Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys.

“As we grow, we are introducing more guests to a new expression of ocean travel. We now look ahead to the delivery of Explora III this July and her inaugural journeys, from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland.”

This will be the fifth of six luxury ships set to enter service for Explora Journeys by 2028.

As previously reported, the Explora V will be sailing in the Mediterranean Sea to 27 destinations in nine countries.

The ship will offer an overnight stay in Istanbul and be located in Naples for New Years, which will feature a view of the city’s fireworks display from the sea.

After that, the vessel was scheduled to head to the Middle East, joining the Explora I to offer a series of itineraries to Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.