by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:10 PM ET, Thu April 3, 2025
Explora Journeys is celebrating a key construction milestone for its new ship, Explora IV.
Today, the ship’s troncone was transferred from land to water for the first time at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard in Sicily. The troncone is the forward lower section of the ship.
More than 350 guests attended a ceremony to celebrate the troncone’s successful launch. Once crews complete the outfitting phase of the bow section, they will move the vessel to Fincantieri’s shipyard in Sestri Ponente for the rest of the build.
Explora IV is scheduled to debut in 2027 (Photo Credit: Explora Journeys)
Explora IV is the fourth of six luxury cruise ships slated to launch by 2028. The ship is scheduled to debut in 2027.
MSC Group’s cruise division is investing more than $3.8 million (€ 3.5 billion) in Explora Journeys’ six ships, which are all being built by Fincantieri in Italy. Four of the upcoming vessels—Explora III through Explora VI—will be powered by liquefied natural gas.
Explora IV represents the brand’s “unwavering commitment to delivering a new standard of excellence in luxury ocean travel,” says Anna Nash, global president of Explora Journeys.
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