Explora Journeys marks milestones in fleet expansion 

Explora Journeys hosted a triple ceremony at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente Shipyard in Genoa on Monday (July 14) to mark significant progress in the expansion of its six-ship fleet. 

The event celebrated three key construction milestones: the float-out of Explora III, the coin ceremony for Explora IV and the steel cutting for Explora V.

Part of a €3.5 billion investment, the fleet expansion is on track to be completed by 2028, with Explora III scheduled to join the fleet in 2026, followed by Explora IV and Explora V in 2027, and Explora VI in 2028.

Caroline Cooney-Hurrell, customer journey strategist at Explora Journeys, was named godmother of Explora IV during the ship’s coin ceremony in recognition of “her steadfast commitment and dedication to the brand over the past five years”.

Cooney-Hurrell originally joined the company as head of operations at the Explora Experience Centre and will soon transition into her new role. 

Head of quality and performance improvement at Fincantieri, Franca Parisi, was also named godmother of Explora IV. 

Sustainability was a key topic at the event. Starting with Explora III, all future ships in the fleet will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which significantly reduces emissions compared to traditional marine fuels. 

The line is also exploring advanced technologies for Explora V and Explora VI to further minimise environmental impact, including systems to reduce emissions while in port.

Explora Journeys president Anna Nash said: "Today marks a proud milestone for Explora Journeys as we celebrate three remarkable ships - each a symbol of our ambition to redefine ultra-elegant ocean travel. This triple celebration reflects the strength of our vision and the power of collaboration between our team, our partners at Fincantieri, and the unwavering support of the Aponte-Vago family.

“Guided by our values of care, respect, and excellence, we are not just building ships - we are creating a legacy of transformative journeys that will endure for generations to come."