Explora Journeys on July 23, 2026 took the delivery of EXPLORA III at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa. today marks another significant milestone in the growth of Explora Journeys. EXPLORA III also represents the next phase of MSC Group’s investment of more than €3.5 billion ($3.98 billion) in its fleet, with all six ships designed and built by Fincantieri in Italy.
The official delivery of EXPLORA III was celebrated at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa with the traditional handover ceremony, attended by Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group; Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys; Biagio Mazzotta, President of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri; and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division, together with Italian civic and government authorities including Silvia Salis, Mayor of Genoa, and Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region. Hosted by Italian television presenter Lorella Cuccarini, the ceremony celebrated the expansion of Explora Journeys’ six-ship fleet.
The celebrations continued with a performance by Italian dance group, Urban Theory, before the traditional parade of EXPLORA III’s officers and the Fincantieri shipyard workforce. Joined on stage by Captain Serena Melani, Vago and Folgiero presided over the ceremonial change of flag, accompanied by the Italian and Maltese national anthems. Following the ship’s blessing, EXPLORA III’s Godmother, Maya Aponte, concluded the ceremony with the traditional ribbon-cutting and bottle-breaking.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Luxury Travel Advisor.
