Fincantieri Delivers Explora III as Fleet’s First LNG Ship
The 72,810-gross-ton Explora III has 463 suites for about 922 guests and was built under RINA class surveillance with certification for polar regions.
Updated August 6, 2026
Explora III has begun its seven-night maiden journey from Barcelona to Lisbon, placing the third Explora Journeys ship into service after its official naming ceremony in Barcelona on August 1. The LNG-capable vessel departed on August 3 to open an inaugural season spanning Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America.
The maiden journey follows a one-time Mediterranean Prelude Journey from Genoa to Civitavecchia, which ran from July 24 to July 29. The five-night preview called at Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Livorno, with Explora Journeys brand ambassador Jannik Sinner joining the first two days.
More space and new onboard venues
The 72,810-gross-ton, 268-meter Explora III has 463 suites and capacity for about 922 guests. It runs 19.2 meters longer than Explora I and Explora II, which share a 63,900-ton, 248-meter design, allowing for larger public areas while carrying a similar number of guests.
New features include three dining concepts: The Cellar, The Chef’s Table and Shore Club on 11. The ship also has a second Owner’s Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola, an expanded collection of Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences, combined spa and fitness facilities, and Chopard’s first onboard boutique.
Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys, said the ship gives the brand another opportunity to refine its product based on what guests value. She described Explora III as the next step in the company’s approach to design, hospitality and onboard experiences.
Delivery and naming ceremonies
Fincantieri delivered Explora III at its Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa on July 23. The ceremony included a performance by Italian dance group Urban Theory, a parade of the ship’s officers and shipyard workforce, and a ceremonial change of flag led by Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, and Fincantieri chief executive Pierroberto Folgiero alongside Captain Serena Melani.
After the ship’s blessing, godmother Maya Aponte completed a ribbon-cutting and bottle-breaking ceremony. Attendees included MSC and Fincantieri leadership, Genoa Mayor Silvia Salis and Liguria Region President Marco Bucci.
Vago said the delivery was another milestone for Explora Journeys and expanded the destinations and experiences available to guests. Folgiero said the vessel shows Fincantieri’s work with new technologies and alternative fuels.
LNG capability, shore power and class notations
Explora III is the first LNG-capable ship in the Explora Journeys fleet. Fincantieri said LNG operation can reduce sulfur oxides by 99 percent, nitrogen oxides by 85 percent, particulate matter by 98 percent and greenhouse gases by up to 20 percent compared with conventional marine fuels. The vessel can also use bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels as availability develops.
The ship has shore-power connectivity, which lets its engines switch off while alongside in ports with suitable infrastructure. That can reduce direct emissions in port and improve local air quality.
Built under RINA class supervision, Explora III received Green Plus, Comfort Noise and Vibration, Dolphin and Polar Code C notations. These cover environmental standards, onboard noise and vibration, underwater radiated noise and operations in polar regions.
LNG is not a zero-carbon fuel. Lifecycle analyses cited by the ICCT have found that, for cruise ships in some cases, LNG can produce 16 percent more lifecycle greenhouse gases than marine gas oil over 100 years and 70 percent to 82 percent more over 20 years because of upstream methane emissions and engine methane slip. Reuters has also reported measurable methane slip from cruise-ship LNG engines, including an estimate of 6.4 percent average methane slip compared with the IMO’s 3.5 percent assumption.
Six-ship fleet reaches halfway point
Explora III brings Explora Journeys to the halfway point in its six-ship fleet program, part of an MSC Group investment of more than €3.5 billion. Explora IV and Explora V are scheduled to enter service in 2027, followed by Explora VI in 2028. All three are under construction at Fincantieri, and Explora V and Explora VI will also incorporate fuel cells.
After its 2026 inaugural season, Explora III is scheduled to operate the brand’s first Alaska season in 2027. Explora V is due to introduce Explora Journeys itineraries in Asia in 2028.
