Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys
TypePrivately held company
IndustryTransportation
Founded2021
Headquarters
Geneva, Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsCruises
ParentMediterranean Shipping Company
Websiteexplorajourneys.com

Explora Journeys is a Geneva, Switzerland-based cruise line that was founded in 2021 as the luxury cruise division of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). It is a sister company of MSC Cruises.

History

In October 2018, Mediterranean Shipping Company announced an order with Fincantieri for four luxury cruise ships. This was later increased to six, with deliveries running through to 2028.

The line's first ship, Explora I completed its sea trials in April 2023. Delivery was delayed due to faulty fire panels. Its first cruise began on 1 August 2023 departing from Copenhagen.

Fleet

By September 2024, the line's fleet consisted of two ships with four more vessels planned. By July 2025, MSC Group had invested €3.5 billion in ship construction, with three ships, Explora III, IV, and V, reaching ship-building milestones. Explora's third ship is scheduled to leave from Barcelona in August 2026. Three more vessels are planned for departures in 2027 and 2028, and Explora plans to include cruises to Asia and the Far East.

Current fleet

Explora class
Name Built Shipyard In service Tonnage Flag Notes Image
Explora I 2023 Fincantieri August 2023 63,621 Malta First ship in MSC Group's luxury brand, Explora Journeys. Delivered on 20 July 2023.
Explora II 2024 Fincantieri September 2024 63,621 Malta Keel laid on 5 May 2022. Delivered on 12 September 2024.
Explora III 2026 Fincantieri July 2026 72,810 Malta First LNG-powered ship in the fleet. Delivered in July 2026 and entered service with a Mediterranean Prelude Journey on 24 July 2026.

Future fleet

Explora class
Name Built Shipyard Tonnage Notes
Explora IV 2027 Fincantieri 72,810 (planned) LNG-fueled cruise ship
Explora V 2027 Fincantieri 72,810 (planned) LNG-powered cruise ship with hydrogen-ready technology
Explora VI 2028 Fincantieri 72,810 (planned) LNG-powered cruise ship with hydrogen-ready technology

References

  1. ↑ Romanenko, Maria. "MSC Group Reveals New Luxury Cruise Brand Explora Journeys - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News.
  2. ↑ "How Explora Journeys Differs From Other Luxury Cruise Lines - Cruise Critic". www.cruisecritic.com. 2025-09-04.
  3. ↑ "Cruise Division of MSC Group now to offer both Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises | Cruise Lines International Association". trade.cruising.org.
  4. ↑ "MSC and Silversea Take Delivery on New Ultra-Luxury Cruise Ships". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  5. 1 2 "Inside MSC's new luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys and its maiden voyage". South China Morning Post. 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  6. ↑ "$560M Explora I Delivered for MSC's New Luxury Cruise Brand". MarineLink. 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  7. ↑ Turner, Matt (2026-03-10). "Explora Journeys celebrates three milestones in Genoa, Italy". LATTE Australia.
  8. ↑ "Explora Journeys marks 'special moment' as 'triple milestone' celebrated". Travel Weekly.
  9. ↑ "Explora Celebrates Three Fleet Construction Milestones". Cruise Industry News. 14 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "This luxury cruise line now serves Asia". Wallpaper*. 2025-09-15.
  11. ↑ Molina, Carlos (2025-11-04). "Barcelona se lleva el estreno de los cruceros a 500 euros por día: Explora Journeys (MSC) botará allí su tercer barco de lujo el próximo verano". Cinco Días (in Spanish).
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Payne, Holly (2021-06-10). "Steel cut for Explora I, first vessel in MSC Cruises' luxury Explora Journeys fleet". Seatrade Cruise News. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  13. ↑ "MSC Cruises to Launch Yacht Club-Style Luxury Ships". Travel Agent Central. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  14. ↑ "Keel laid for Explora II at Fincantieri's Castellammare yard". 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  15. ↑ "Explora II Delivery Pushed to September - Cruise Industry News".
  16. ↑ "Delivery of EXPLORA III".
  17. ↑ "Explora Journeys Completes Successful Sea Trials for EXPLORA III".
  18. ↑ "Delivery of EXPLORA III".