Explora Journeys has confirmed the successful launch of the troncone—the forward lower section—of EXPLORA IV, the fourth vessel in its planned fleet of six luxury cruise ships scheduled for delivery by 2028.
The launch ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Palermo (Sicily). A customary event in ship construction, the troncone launch signifies the first time a major section of the vessel is transferred from land to water. The occasion was witnessed by over 350 attendees, including shipyard personnel, project stakeholders, and representatives from Explora Journeys.
EXPLORA IV is scheduled for delivery in 2027. Upon completion of the bow section’s outfitting, the structure will be transferred to Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente facility near Genoa, where final assembly and integration will be carried out.
The milestone reflects the ongoing progress of the Explora Journeys fleet program and underscores Fincantieri’s role in the development of technically advanced, high-specification passenger vessels. The ship is being constructed to meet strict standards of performance, energy efficiency, and onboard comfort.
All vessels in the Explora Journeys fleet are designed in collaboration with Fincantieri and incorporate contemporary maritime technologies and Italian shipbuilding expertise. The program includes significant investment in LNG propulsion systems, with EXPLORA III through EXPLORA VI all to be powered by liquefied natural gas. This aligns with Explora Journeys' stated sustainability objectives in the luxury cruise segment.
The MSC Group’s Cruise Division is investing more than EUR 3.5 billion in the construction of the 6-vessel fleet. The economic impact on Italy is estimated to exceed EUR 15 billion, contributing to industrial activity and employment across the shipbuilding supply chain. Each vessel involves approximately 7 million hours of labor and sustains an average workforce of 2,500 personnel over a 2- to 3-year construction timeline.
The fleet’s inaugural ship, EXPLORA I, commenced operations on 1 August 2023. EXPLORA II was delivered on 12 September 2024. The next two vessels, EXPLORA III and EXPLORA IV, are planned for entry into service in 2026 and 2027, respectively. EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will follow in 2027 and 2028.