Explora Journeys marks halfway point in fleet development

Explora Journeys has reached the halfway point of developing its six-ship fleet, marked by its latest vessel completing sea trials.

Explora III is the first in the MSC Group’s luxury line to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG)

It also provides the flexibility to utilise renewable fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, alongside continued innovation and energy efficiency, according to the company.

The successful sea trials in the Mediterranean validated the 922-passenger ship’s technical and operational performance ahead of its summer debut.

With all six Explora Journeys ships now in different phases of development - spanning operation, construction and future delivery – the brand has reached the halfway point of its planned six-ship fleet expansion. 

The ship has returned to Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa for interior outfitting and final finishing touches and is on track for delivery ahead of schedule.

A Mediterranean prelude journey is due to depart on July 24, arriving in Barcelona for an official naming ceremony on August 1.

A seven-night maiden journey to Lisbon takes place two days later, marking the start of a season in northern Europe including Norway, Iceland and Greenland, before the ship crosses the Atlantic for the autumn in New England and the east coast of Canada.

The line’s president Anna Nash said: “The completion of Explora III’s sea trials marks another proud milestone for Explora Journeys as we continue to bring our long-term fleet vision to life.

“Explora III represents the next phase in our growth and reflects our continued commitment to thoughtful innovation, exceptional guest experiences and a conscious approach to luxury ocean travel.

“As the first LNG-powered ship in our fleet, she also marks an important step in our transition towards lower-emission technologies, supporting our pathway to net zero greenhouse gas emissions for our maritime operations by 2050.

“This summer, Explora Journeys will have three ships sailing - a significant milestone that reflects the strength of our vision and the remarkable momentum behind the brand.”