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12 clusters · 58 sources · 81 days · First seen · Last updated

Explora III delivery and Explora Journeys fleet expansion

Overview

Fincantieri handed over the LNG-powered luxury cruise ship Explora III to MSC Group’s Explora Journeys brand on 22 July 2026 in Genoa. The 267-metre vessel, 19.2 m longer than its sisters, carries 461 suites for up to approximately 922 passengers and offers 19.5 m² of public space per guest. It includes a second Owner’s Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola. As the first MSC ship to run on liquefied natural gas, it reduces SOx emissions by 99% and NOx by 85%, with the capacity for future use of bio-LNG or synthetic LNG. It also features shore power capabilities to reduce emissions while in port. Following a five-day “Prelude Journey” from Genoa to Civitavecchia, Explora III was christened on 1 August 2026 in Barcelona. The vessel has since begun its inaugural Mediterranean voyage, including calls at the Port of Tangier Ville in Morocco. As part of MSC’s €3.5 billion luxury fleet programme, Explora Journeys is expanding its fleet with six planned eco-friendly vessels. Explora III is currently operational, with Explora IV and V scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028. In September 2026, the brand announced new winter collections for the 2027-2028 season to replace previously planned Middle East and Red Sea routes. These include a South American summer itinerary for Explora I, visiting 37 destinations across Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands, and an inaugural winter season for Explora V focusing on the Mediterranean, North African coast, and Atlantic Islands. In October 2026, the brand announced its inaugural “President's Journey,” hosted by company president Anna Nash. Scheduled for 9–16 December 2026, the voyage will take place aboard Explora II as part of the “A Serene Mediterranean Winter 2026–2027 Journeys Collection.” Sailing from Barcelona to Tenerife, the itinerary includes stops in Gibraltar and an overnight stay in Casablanca.

Entities

Explora Journeys · MSC Group · Fincantieri · EXPLORA III · Jannik Sinner

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Explora Journeys announces inaugural President's Journey

    Explora Journeys president Anna Nash will host the company's first President's Journey aboard EXPLORA II from December 9–16, 2026, sailing from Barcelona to Tenerife.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Explora Journeys expands luxury cruise fleet with new vessels

    Explora Journeys is expanding its luxury fleet with the launch of Explora III and plans for four additional eco-friendly ships, competing with established brands like Regent Seven Seas.

  3. [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Explora Journeys announces new 2027-2028 winter cruise collections

    Explora Journeys has unveiled new 2027-2028 winter collections for Explora I and Explora V, featuring South American summer routes and Mediterranean winter itineraries.

  4. [BUSINESS] 12 sources
    Explora Journeys announces new 2027-2028 travel collections

    Explora Journeys has unveiled new 2027-2028 itineraries, featuring South American voyages on EXPLORA I and Mediterranean and Atlantic routes on the debuting EXPLORA V.

  5. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Explora Journeys debuts EXPLORA III in Mediterranean itineraries

    Explora Journeys has introduced its new LNG-powered luxury cruise ship, EXPLORA III, to Mediterranean routes, including a strategic new stop at the Port of Tangier Ville in Morocco.

  6. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Explora III begins inaugural Mediterranean voyage

    Explora Journeys has launched Explora III, a luxury vessel in the Mediterranean, as part of its plan to reach six ships by 2028.

  7. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Explora Journeys launches LNG-powered Explora III cruise ship

    Explora Journeys has launched the Explora III, its first LNG-powered luxury cruise ship, marking a significant fleet expansion with its inaugural stop in Lisbon.

  8. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Explora Journeys expands luxury fleet with delivery of Explora III

    Explora Journeys and Fincantieri celebrate the delivery of Explora III, marking the halfway point of a six-ship luxury fleet expansion featuring advanced LNG propulsion technology.

  9. [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    MSC’s Explora III luxury LNG‑powered cruise ship launched in the Mediterranean and named in Barcelona

    MSC’s Explora III, the cruise line’s first LNG‑powered luxury ship, debuted in the Mediterranean and was officially named in Barcelona, featuring 461 suites, high‑end amenities and performances by Sister Sledge

  10. [BUSINESS] 11 sources
    Explora Journeys launches LNG‑powered Explora III cruise ship in Barcelona

    Explora Journeys christened the LNG‑powered Explora III in Barcelona, the first MSC ship using cleaner fuel, part of a €7 billion plan for a six‑ship ultra‑luxury fleet by 2028.

  11. [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    Explora III cruise ship delivered by Fincantieri to MSC Group's Explora Journeys

    Fincantieri handed over the LNG‑powered luxury cruise ship Explora III to MSC’s Explora Journeys on 22 July 2026 in Genoa; the 267 m vessel carries 922 passengers and will begin service after a prelude cruise.

  12. [BUSINESS] 13 sources
    Explora III luxury cruise ship delivered to Explora Journeys

    Fincantieri delivered the LNG‑powered Explora III to Explora Journeys in Genoa, marking the third of six luxury ships in a €3.5 bn MSC program, with new amenities and a sustainability focus.

Sources

agenttravel.es · ardianavang.com · blog-kreuzfahrt.ch · bokanews.me · capital.es · clickpentrufemei.ro · cpp-luxury.com · cronicadecantabria.com · crucero-magazin.de · cruise-arabia.com · cruiseaddicts.com · cruisemummy.co.uk · cruisetotravel.com · cruisetricks.de · delas.pt · dicpas.es · dreamblog.it · estense.com · evoke.ie · forreadingaddicts.co.uk · frontiermagazine.co.uk · holidaycoast.it · hosteltur.com · idprestige.ma · ifolha.com.br · independent.co.uk · italpress.com · kreuzfahrt-aktuelles.de · lagenziadiviaggi.it · latinapress.it · lemaroc360.com · liveboat.it · m.naftemporiki.gr · marinelink.com · milanoluxurylife.it · nationalt.dk · news.travelling.gr · openjaw.com · pazzoperilmare.it · portalcruceros.cl · portalportuario.cl · porthole.com · portnet.gr · presstur.com · qualitytravel.it · recommend.com · roz-sur-couesnon.fr · schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten.de

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history