Explora Journeys and Fincantieri Mark Milestones for Explora V and VI in Genoa

Explora Journeys and Fincantieri held a double ceremony at the Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa on October 26, 2026: the float-out of Explora V and the coin ceremony for Explora VI, the fifth and sixth ships in the fleet of MSC Group's luxury brand. The event was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group's Cruise Division; Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri; and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri's Merchant Ships Division, along with representatives from institutions and maritime authorities.

Following the delivery of Explora III in late July 2026, the fleet's first LNG-powered vessel, construction continues at full pace. Explora IV will enter service in spring 2027, Explora V toward the end of that same year, and Explora VI is scheduled for summer 2028, completing the six-vessel fleet built entirely by Fincantieri.

Anna Nash and Camilla Ronco, described by Fincantieri as an employee of the hull pre-assembly workshop and by other outlets as manager of the Sestri Ponente shipyard's PRS workshop, served as godmothers at the Explora VI coin ceremony, placing two coins inside the hull as a symbol of good fortune. Consuelo Brunelli, from Fincantieri's planning department according to the shipping line, or a production planner according to other sources, served as godmother for the ribbon-cutting that marked the float-out of Explora V.

According to Fincantieri, the construction of the six ships represents a total MSC investment of more than €3.5 billion, generating an economic impact of over €15 billion in Italy. Each ship requires more than seven million labor hours and employs an average of 2,500 people over two to three years, in a scheme involving some 7,000 suppliers in Italy and supporting more than 90,000 jobs, with Liguria contributing nearly 800 suppliers and more than 3,600 direct group employees. The Sestri Ponente shipyard, specialized in cruise ships, has built 19 vessels since 2003 and has an order book extending to 2037.

Explora V and Explora VI will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and designed to operate with renewable and next-generation fuels, such as bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels, as well as featuring shore power connection to switch off their engines in port. Explora VI will incorporate fuel cell technology, while Explora V is designed to incorporate it in the future. According to Cruise Industry News, Explora V will sail the Mediterranean Sea to 27 destinations across nine countries.

Pierfrancesco Vago noted that the milestone marks a fundamental step in building Explora Journeys' fleet, which will be fully operational in less than two years, while Pierroberto Folgiero highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation into Fincantieri's processes. Anna Nash, for her part, said Explora VI reflects how far the brand has come in its luxury travel proposition, though she noted it will not be the final chapter in its development.