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Explora Journeys marked milestones for the fifth and sixth ships in its fleet at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy, on October 26.

The first was the float out of the Explora V and the second the coin ceremony of the Explora VI, set to enter service at the end of 2027 and summer 2028, respectively.

The ceremonies brought together representatives of national and local institutions, maritime authorities and the wider maritime industry.

They were joined by Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division; Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys; Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer and managing director of Fincantieri; and Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division.

Anna Nash and Camilla Ronco, PRS Workshop Manager at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, served as godmothers for the coin ceremony of the Explora VI, placing commemorative coins inside the ship.

“Explora VI marks an important milestone in our journey and represents how far we have come in bringing a new category of ultra-elegant ocean travel to life. Having joined Explora Journeys at such a pivotal stage in its development, becoming godmother to the sixth ship in our fleet is an extraordinary honor and a deeply personal moment for me,” said Nash.

“I am immensely proud of what we have built together, and excited by what lies ahead as we continue to shape the future of ocean travel and create even more meaningful experiences for our guests. Explora VI may mark the completion of our first six ships, but it is by no means the final chapter.”

Consuelo Brunelli, production planner at Fincantieri, served as godmother for the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the float out of the Explora V.

Following the delivery of the fleet’s first LNG-powered ship, the Explora III, in July 2026, the company is set to welcome the Explora IV to its fleet in spring 2027.

The Explora V, which will sail in the Mediterranean Sea to 27 destinations in nine countries, and VI will also be powered by LNG and are designed to use renewable and next-generation fuels, including bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels.

The Explora VI will also feature fuel cell technology to support more efficient energy generation, while the Explora V is being designed to accommodate this technology in the future, the company noted.

The Carnival Spirit will return to Seattle later than scheduled after undergoing repairs earlier this month, Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement.

Wrapping up a 15-night cruise to Hawaii, the ship was scheduled to return to its homeport early on October 8, 2026. The arrival, however, was postponed by nearly 24 hours.

In a letter sent to guests boarding the vessel for its next cruise, Carnival said that the delay was caused by an issue that required additional time for repairs on October 3, 2026.

“As a result, the ship’s return to Seattle will be delayed until Friday, October 9, resulting in a shortening of your cruise by one day,” the company explained.

Upon returning to Washington, the Carnival Spirit is scheduled to kick off a repositioning voyage to Mobile, Alabama.

The 16-night cruise will feature a full transit of the Panama Canal, in addition to visits to destinations on the West Coast of Central America and the Caribbean.

Carnival said that due to the later departure from Seattle and to keep the ship’s time slot for crossing the Panama Canal, a planned visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, had to be cancelled.

The company said that planned visits to Puntarenas in Costa Rica and Cartagena de Indias in Colombia will still go ahead as scheduled.

“We know this is disappointing news and we apologise for these unexpected adjustments,” Carnival added, noting that guests will receive a pro-rated refund for their cruise fare and pre-purchased service packages, including Wi-Fi and beverage packages.

Shore excursions booked through Carnival for Cabo San Lucas will be automatically cancelled and refunded as well.

The company also said that it will offer a $250 onboard credit per stateroom as a gesture of appreciation for passengers’ understanding.

Guests who purchased air travel using Carnival’s FLY2FUN program will have their flights automatically adjusted to reflect the changes.

For those with independent travel plans, the company will also reimburse up to $200 per person for any expenses associated with non-refundable air change fees and other travel-related costs.

Carnival said that further details regarding new embarkation plans for October 9, 2026, will be released ahead of the cruise.

The Carnival Spirit is currently wrapping up a 15-night cruise to Hawaii and Canada that sailed from Seattle on September 23, 2026.

Part of the Carnival Journeys program, the itinerary originally included visits to Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Kahului, Hilo and Victoria.

Cunard’s Queen Anne, soon to be transferred to P&O Cruises. Photo credit Spacejunkie2.

Cruise ships will be moving among three of Carnival Corporation’s brands as the company continues efforts to maximise the financial strength of its operations. Holland America Line and P&O Cruises will be increasing capacity by receiving newer ships, while Cunard will be giving up one ship, with the changes taking place in 20029.

The changes will begin in spring 2029, when Cunard transfers Queen Anne to P&O after completing her previously announced world cruise. The announcement says the ship will be “reimagined and renamed” before joining the UK-based operation in May 2029. 

P&O, however, will also be conducting a farewell season for its 20-plus-year-old cruise ship Arcadia, which will retire from the fleet on August 21, 2029. She will then transfer to Holland America Line as part of its ongoing fleet evolution. She will be refitted and renamed to join the US-based operation.

P&O Arcadia will be joining Holland America Line. Photo Credit SpaceJunkie2.

“These decisions reflect a careful, long-term view of our portfolio and where the individual strengths of each ship can best support guest demand and the future direction of our two cruise lines,” said Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK, P&O Cruises, and Cunard, announcing the changes. “This decision does not change our commitment to Cunard or its future.”

Queen Anne had been heralded with her launch in May 2024 as the first new ship added to Cunard since 2010, and the first time the venerated British brand would be operating four Queens. At 114,188 gross tons and 1,058 feet (323 meters) in length, the ship is based on the platform used for Holland America’s newest class of ships. She was a large addition for Cunard, with a 2,956-passenger capacity, but incorporated what the company calls “a bold and contemporary expression of Cunard,” which also drew criticism among the loyal clientele.

Ludlow said the changes would provide Cunard “a more closely unified fleet.” The ship will continue in service for the planned Four Queens celebration in Liverpool in May 2028 and then her final world cruise. Carnival Corporation is also investing in an upgrade and modernisation of Queen Mary 2 in April 2027, which will add suites and redo the wellness area, shops, and some public spaces.

They said Queen Anne’s style would give her a “natural affinity with the modern P&O.” She will also increase capacity by nearly 1,000 berths for the British brand, which currently operates seven cruise ships. P&O had been using Arcadia for adult-only cruising but recently announced she would accept children and multi-generational travel on some cruises.

Built by Fincantieri, the 83,781 gross ton cruise ship was originally planned for Cunard but reassigned during construction to P&O, which launched her as Arcadia in April 2005. She is 952 feet (290 meters) in length with a capacity for 2,094 passengers.

Holland America highlights that the ship is built on the same platform as its Vista-class cruise ships Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Noordam, and Westerdam. Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said the ship will be a natural fit for the fleet and an extension of the evolution program.