Explora and Fincantieri Celebrate Explora III’s Delivery

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Explora and Fincantieri Celebrate Explora III’s Delivery

The delivery ceremony of the Explora III, the third vessel built by Fincantieri for Explora Journeys, took place today in Genoa at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, said: “The delivery of the Explora III marks another important milestone in realizing our vision for Explora Journeys.”

“In just three years, we have defined a new and distinctive perspective in ocean travel. With each new ship, we expand our ability to offer guests new perspectives on the world through increasingly immersive experiences in the destinations we visit,” added Vago.

“The Explora III reflects our commitment to innovation, craftsmanship excellence and responsible growth, while contributing to the broader economic benefits that cruise tourism brings to coastal destinations and communities.”

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and general manager of Fincantieri, said: “The Explora III testifies to Fincantieri’s ability to lead the transformation of the shipbuilding industry through innovation, sustainability and the evolution towards new technologies and alternative fuels.”

“The entry into the fleet of the first ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) marks a significant milestone in this journey, an expression of the development of increasingly sustainable and technologically advanced solutions,” added Folgiero.

Fincantieri said in a press release that the newbuild was celebrated with numerous authorities and institutions in attendance, including:

  • President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci
  • Mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis
  • Admiral Inspector Antonio Ranieri, and
  • President of the Port System Authority of the Western Ligurian Sea, Matteo Paroli.

The Explora III is the third out of six ships; the remaining three are all under construction and will take to the sea within two years: the Explora IV and Explora V in 2027, and Explora VI in 2028.

Guests were welcomed by:

  • Biagio Mazzotta, president of Fincantieri
  • Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer and general manager of Fincantieri;
  • Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division
  • Massimo Canesin, director of the Fincantieri Shipyard in Sestri
  • Diego Aponte, chairman of the MSC Group
  • Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group
  • Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys
  • Maya Aponte, godmother of the ship, and
  • other managers of Fincantieri and MSC.

The Explora III will use liquefied natural gas (LNG), reducing emissions of sulfur oxides by 99 percent, nitrogen oxides by 85 percent, particulate matter by 98 percent and greenhouse gases by up to 20 percent.

It is designed to run on renewable and latest-generation fuels such as bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. The Explora V and Explora VI will also adopt fuel cells.

Designed and built under RINA class surveillance, the Explora III has been acknowledged for its environmentally sustainable and passenger-comfort design, and was certified to sail in the polar regions.

Disney Signs 15-Year Agreement for Preferred Access at Icy Strait Point

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Disney Signs 15-Year Agreement for Preferred Access at Icy Strait Point

Disney Cruise Line and Huna Totem Corporation have signed a 15-year agreement securing preferred weekly access at Icy Strait Point, ensuring Disney Cruise Line guests will continue visiting the Indigenous-owned Alaska destination through at least 2041, the company said in a press release.

“Icy Strait Point has been a valued part of our Alaska itineraries for nearly a decade, offering Disney Cruise Line guests an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, wildlife and rich cultural heritage of Hoonah and the broader Southeast Alaska region,” said Jose Fernandez, vice president of port strategy, development and operations at Disney Cruise Line.

The agreement provides Disney Cruise Line preferential docking at Icy Strait Point for one vessel each week and includes a minimum annual passenger guarantee.

Disney Cruise Line expanded its Alaska presence in 2026 to two ships, with select seven-night itineraries aboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder featuring calls at the destination.

Situated on the shores of Hoonah, Icy Strait Point is owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation representing more than 1,850 shareholders with Indigenous ties to Glacier Bay.

The destination is the largest employer in Hoonah and has welcomed over four million cruise travelers since opening in 2004.

“Disney Cruise Line has been an important part of the Icy Strait Point story for nearly a decade, and we’re grateful to build on that relationship through this agreement,” said Howard Sherman, Huna Totem Tourism Group president.

“Each Disney Cruise Line visit helps support local jobs, businesses and economic opportunity in Hoonah.”

TUI Welcomes Mein Schiff 4’s New Captain Adam Swietlik

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TUI Welcomes Mein Schiff 4’s New Captain Adam Swietlik

TUI Cruises promoted Captain Adam Swietlik as the Captain of the Mein Schiff 4.

In a LinkedIn post, the company said: “Swietlik has been part of the TUI Cruises family since 2014 and has taken on various responsible positions within our fleet during this time,  most recently as Staff Captain for several years.”

The company said that Swietlik succeeds Captain Panos Varotsos, and that with more than 20 years of experience at sea and his team-oriented leadership style, he brings the best prerequisites for his new role.

“We wish Swietlik and his crew onboard Mein Schiff 4 all the best, much success and always a hand’s breadth of water under the keel,” TUI Cruises stated.

According to Schiffe Und Kreuzfahrten, Swietlik joined Celebrity Cruises in spring 2010 and, in 2014, moved to TUI Cruises. He worked at the company for five years and was then promoted to Staff Captain in 2019. Świetlik officially assumed command of the vessel on July 19, 2026.

According to the article, Swietlik will first sail the Mein Schiff 4 in the Adriatic Sea.

The ship is currently operating seven-night roundtrip cruises from Trieste, Italy, with visits to ports across Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, and Slovenia. The seasonal program will continue until October.

Swietlik will be the third new TUI Cruises captain brought on in 2026. At the beginning of the year, Kira Schikorr steered the Mein Schiff 6 in Asia for the first time, and Alexander Orendt first captained the Mein Schiff 3 from Bremerhaven.

The company said that the promotions are due, among other things, to the growth of the Mein Schiff fleet.