Fincantieri floated out Explora V, the fifth cruise ship for MSC's luxury brand Explora Journeys and held the coin ceremony for the sixth vessel, Explora VI at its Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa on Monday, October 26.
Explora V is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2027. Explora VI is expected to be operational by summer 2028, completing the six-ship programme. Explora IV is due for delivery in spring 2027.
MSC's investment in the six vessels, all built in Italy, exceeds €3.5 billion. Fincantieri said the first three ships, the most recent of which was delivered in July, are sailing at full capacity.
Like Explora III and Explora IV, the final two ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). They are also prepared to operate on bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. Explora VI will be equipped with fuel-cell technology, and Explora V is designed to accommodate it.
When MSC confirmed the final two orders in September 2023, the companies said the ships would use fuel cells powered by liquid hydrogen for hotel operations at berth with the engines switched off. All six ships have shore power connections.
Explora V had its first steel cut in July 2025 and its coin ceremony in March.
