Kreuzfahrt-News
EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI reach new construction milestones
04/11/2026
Explora Journeys and Fincantieri marked two construction milestones on October 26 at the Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa. EXPLORA V was floated out, while EXPLORA VI held its coin ceremony. The events mark different stages of construction; the cruise line plans to welcome guests aboard the ships in 2027 and 2028. The operator plans for EXPLORA V to enter service toward the end of 2027 and EXPLORA VI in summer 2028.
V has been floated out and prepared for future technology
The float-out of EXPLORA V is a visible construction milestone: the hull enters the water for the first time. Further work and outfitting will follow before the ship can begin its planned guest operations. Explora Journeys gives a timeframe of toward the end of 2027. This sequence makes clear the difference between reaching a construction milestone and later entering service on a cruise.
EXPLORA V is planned to be powered by LNG. The ship is also intended to be designed for the use of renewable and future fuels such as bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. As for fuel cells, the specific plan is for the ship to be capable of accommodating the technology in the future. The announcement therefore describes preparation for possible future fuel-cell installation.
VI’s coin ceremony and fuel-cell plan
The shipyard held the coin ceremony for EXPLORA VI. The ceremony marks a distinct milestone in the construction process. The operator says the ship is planned to enter service in summer 2028. LNG propulsion is also planned for this ship; Explora Journeys names bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels as additional fuel options that the design is intended to accommodate.
The plans for EXPLORA VI include fuel-cell technology. Together with the different construction ceremonies, this gives a clearer picture of the sister ships: V is in the water and prepared to accommodate fuel cells in the future, while the company says the technology is planned for VI. Both ships are still under construction, and their service dates are company plans.
Fleet expansion at the Sestri Ponente shipyard
Explora Journeys links the two milestones to the expansion of its fleet. The Sestri Ponente shipyard is in Genoa and is the site of the reported construction events. The operator says all its ships are equipped for shore power connections. When connected to the local grid, this allows the onboard engines to be switched off while the ship is receiving shore power. This fleet-wide statement is distinct from the individual future plans for the two newbuilds.
The two newbuilds follow other ships in the same fleet. According to the operator, EXPLORA III was handed over in July 2026, while EXPLORA IV is due to enter service in spring 2027. The announced expansion is therefore spread over several consecutive seasons. Those choosing a trip on one of the newbuilds can match the planned service start of each ship to their travel dates. For V and VI, the October 26 ceremonies are initially milestones on the way to those future voyages.
