Explora Journeys celebrates expansion at triple ceremony

Explora Journeys hosted its third triple ceremony at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente Shipyard in Genoa on Monday, March 9.

 

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

 

The event was hailed as “one of the most important days in Explora Journey’s history” as it marked the first time the line’s entire six-ship fleet was sailing or under construction.

 

Two godmothers were named during the coin ceremony of Explora V: Captain Serena Melani, representing Explora Journeys, and Alice Gallo, an employee of Fincantieri shipyard.

 

Captain Melani was praised for her “significant contribution to the brand’s success” following her service as the first master of both Explora I and Explora II. She will also serve as the master of Explora III.

 

Part of a €3.5 billion investment, Explora Journey’s fleet is set to be completed by 2028, with Explora IV and Explora V expected to set sail in 2027, followed by Explora VI in 2028.

 

Explora III – the line’s first LNG-powered vessel – will launch this year, with a Mediterranean prelude journey taking place on July 24-29, 2026, before the ship embarks on its inaugural sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon on August 3-10.

 

Explora IV will spend its inaugural season sailing across western and northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, the US and Canada, while Explora V will start its season in the Mediterranean in December 2027, before relocating to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, the line’s president Anna Nash said: “Today marks an exceptionally special moment for Explora Journeys. This triple milestone marks the first time that our entire fleet is coming to life at once, with two ships successfully sailing and four now under construction. It really is a defining moment for our brand, as every vessel now exists at a different stage of its journey, all moving forward together until the full realisation of our six-ship vision.”