Explora III cruise ship delivery

In late July 2026, Italian shipyard Fincantieri completed the hand‑over of the luxury cruise vessel Explora III to MSC Group’s Explora Journeys brand. The ceremony in Genoa’s Sestri Ponte yard was attended by senior MSC and Fincantieri executives, regional officials and the ship’s godmother, Maya Aponte, with tennis star Jannik Sinner joining for a charitable guest experience.

Explora III, the third of six ships planned for the Explora series, measures 267 m (19.2 m longer than its sister ships) and accommodates 461 suites for up to 922 passengers. It is the fleet’s first vessel powered by liquefied natural gas, cutting sulfur‑oxide emissions by 99 % and nitrogen‑oxide emissions by 85 % while reducing greenhouse‑gas output by up to 20 % compared with conventional fuels.

Following delivery, the ship began a five‑day Mediterranean “Prelude Journey” from Genoa to Civitavecchia, offering guests a preview before its official christening in Barcelona on 1 August 2026 and an inaugural seven‑night cruise to Lisbon. Explora IV and V are already under construction for delivery in 2027, marking the midpoint of MSC’s €3.5 billion investment in the luxury fleet.