Explora Journeys marked milestones for the fifth and sixth ships in its fleet at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy, on October 26.
The first was the float out of the Explora V and the second the coin ceremony of the Explora VI, set to enter service at the end of 2027 and summer 2028, respectively.
The ceremonies brought together representatives of national and local institutions, maritime authorities and the wider maritime industry.
They were joined by Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division; Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys; Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer and managing director of Fincantieri; and Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division.
Anna Nash and Camilla Ronco, PRS Workshop Manager at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, served as godmothers for the coin ceremony of the Explora VI, placing commemorative coins inside the ship.
“Explora VI marks an important milestone in our journey and represents how far we have come in bringing a new category of ultra-elegant ocean travel to life. Having joined Explora Journeys at such a pivotal stage in its development, becoming godmother to the sixth ship in our fleet is an extraordinary honor and a deeply personal moment for me,” said Nash.
“I am immensely proud of what we have built together, and excited by what lies ahead as we continue to shape the future of ocean travel and create even more meaningful experiences for our guests. Explora VI may mark the completion of our first six ships, but it is by no means the final chapter.”
Consuelo Brunelli, production planner at Fincantieri, served as godmother for the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the float out of the Explora V.
Following the delivery of the fleet’s first LNG-powered ship, the Explora III, in July 2026, the company is set to welcome the Explora IV to its fleet in spring 2027.
The Explora V, which will sail in the Mediterranean Sea to 27 destinations in nine countries, and VI will also be powered by LNG and are designed to use renewable and next-generation fuels, including bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels.
The Explora VI will also feature fuel cell technology to support more efficient energy generation, while the Explora V is being designed to accommodate this technology in the future, the company noted.
