Watching a new cruise ship go from drawings to something that can actually float is one of my favourite parts of following the industry. This week, Explora Journeys had two reasons to celebrate at once.
At Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa on 26 October 2026, Explora V floated out for the first time, while its younger sister Explora VI had a traditional coin ceremony. They're different stages of construction, but both bring the luxury cruise line closer to its planned six-ship fleet.
Explora V is in the water, but there's still work to do
A float-out means the ship has reached the point where it can leave the building dock and float. It doesn't mean it's finished or ready to welcome passengers. Explora V still needs outfitting, testing and the other work that comes before delivery.
Explora Journeys expects Explora IV to enter service in spring 2027, followed by Explora V towards the end of that year. Explora VI is expected in summer 2028. Those remain planned dates rather than a promise that every sailing will operate exactly as advertised.
And what is a coin ceremony?
For Explora VI, Explora Journeys president Anna Nash and Fincantieri's Camilla Ronco placed commemorative coins inside the ship as a maritime good-luck tradition. Consuelo Brunelli, also from the shipyard, took part in the ribbon-cutting for Explora V.
There's something quite charming about such an old tradition being part of the construction of a modern ship. The names and dates can feel abstract when you're browsing future itineraries, but ceremonies like this are a reminder that real vessels are steadily taking shape.
What does the expanding fleet mean for travellers?
More ships should give Explora Journeys room to offer a wider range of destinations and sailing dates, although the actual choices depend on the itineraries it puts on sale. If you're comparing smaller luxury ships with the huge resort-style vessels, it's a brand worth keeping an eye on.
Both new ships are planned to run on liquefied natural gas, or LNG, and will be able to connect to shore power where suitable infrastructure is available. Explora VI is also planned to use fuel-cell technology. These are engineering choices rather than a claim of zero-emission cruising, and the real-world benefits depend on how the systems and fuels are used.
You can explore our Explora V ship guide and Explora Journeys overview while the next stages of construction continue.
Construction milestones and planned entry-into-service dates were confirmed in Explora Journeys' official October 2026 announcement.
