Explora Journeys And Fincantieri Celebrate Double Maritime Milestone As Fleet Expansion Continues

The float out of EXPLORA V and the coin ceremony of EXPLORA VI at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa mark two further milestones towards the completion of Explora Journeys’ six-ship fleet in 2028.

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of MSC Group, today marked two important milestones in the construction of its fleet at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The double ceremony celebrated the float out of EXPLORA V and the coin ceremony of EXPLORA VI, the fifth and sixth ships in the brand’s fleet.

Following the delivery of EXPLORA III in July 2026, construction continues to progress across the remaining ships. EXPLORA IV is scheduled to enter service in spring 2027, followed by EXPLORA V towards the end of the year. EXPLORA VI is expected to enter service in summer 2028, completing the brand’s six-ship fleet.

The ceremonies brought together representatives of national and local institutions, maritime authorities and the wider maritime industry, alongside 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.

The ceremonies also honoured the maritime traditions that accompany the construction of a ship. Anna Nash and Camilla Ronco, PRS Workshop Manager at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, served as godmothers for the coin ceremony of EXPLORA VI, placing commemorative coins inside the ship as a longstanding symbol of good fortune during construction and throughout her future at sea. Consuelo Brunelli, Production Planner at Fincantieri, served as godmother for the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the float out of EXPLORA V. The event was presented by Marina Minetti, a presenter, writer and actress born and raised in Genoa.

For Anna Nash, serving as godmother to EXPLORA VI represents a particularly meaningful, full-circle moment. As the sixth and final ship to join the fleet, EXPLORA VI marks a significant milestone in bringing Explora Journeys’ vision for a new category of ocean travel to life. For each of the six ships, a godmother was appointed in recognition of her contribution to the development of the fleet, while also celebrating the many people whose dedication and expertise brought each vessel to life.

“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 honour and a deeply personal moment for me. 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,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys.

Advancing Marine Technology

All Explora Journeys ships are equipped for shore power connectivity, enabling them to connect to local electricity grids while in port and switch off their engines, eliminating direct emissions from onboard power generation during connection.

EXPLORA III was the fleet’s first LNG-powered ship. EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will also be powered by LNG and are designed to use renewable and next-generation fuels, including bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. EXPLORA VI will also feature fuel cell technology to support more efficient energy generation, while EXPLORA V is being designed to accommodate this technology in the future.

These developments support the MSC Group’s long-term energy transition strategy, combining advanced marine technologies with increasing use of lower emissions and renewable fuels.