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Thu 18 Sep 2025, 08:30 GMT | Updated: Thu 18 Sep 2025, 08:31 GMT

Destinations revealed for 2027 launch of LNG-powered Explora V


Fifth vessel in Explora Journeys fleet to make calls in Mediterranean, then travel east to Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.

Illustration of the Explora V, Explora Journeys' fifth ship.
The Explora V will be capable of running on renewable alternatives such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG and is to be fitted with fuel cell technology capable of converting LNG into hydrogen. Pictured: An illustration of the Explora V. Image credit: Explora Journeys

The destinations for the inaugural December 2027 cruise of the fifth ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, Explora V, have been announced, with the vessel set to make its initial port calls in the Mediterranean before continuing east to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.

The Explora V is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Genoa, with steel cutting taking place in July 2025.

Fuelled by LNG, the Explora V will be able to run on renewable alternatives such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. It is also to be fitted with fuel cell technology capable of converting LNG into hydrogen.

The inaugural journey for the Explora V includes 27 destinations across nine countries, with a maiden call in Salerno (Italy) and subsequent calls at locations such as Messina (Italy), Split (Croatia), Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Kepez (Türkiye) and Istanbul (Türkiye).

The vessel will then tavel east to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.

Founded in 2021, Explora Journeys is the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of MSC Group. The cruise line currently has two vessels in service, the Explora I and Explora II, with the Explora I's first cruise commencing in August 2023.

The Explora III is due to join the fleet in 2026, followed by Explora IV and Explora V in 2027, and Explora VI in 2028.


Bio-LNG / LBM / LBG   Biofuel   Hydrogen   Launch   LNG   Italy 
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