Tag Archives: MSC

Explora and Fincantieri Celebrate Explora III’s Delivery

Posted on by
Reply

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.

MSC, Meyer Werft Expect to Seal 4+2 Ship Deal in Coming Weeks

Posted on by
Reply

MSC, Meyer Werft Expect to Seal 4+2 Ship Deal in Coming Weeks

MSC Cruises and Meyer Werft have issued a joint statement on the status of talks concerning the construction of four next-generation cruise vessels and two additional options.

The deal introducing a new class of vessels, called the “New Frontier,” was announced at the end of last year. 

The contract would ensure the shipyard’s capacity well into the next decade.

“In December 2025, Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises announced a letter of intent for the construction of four innovative cruise ships, plus two options, at Meyer Werft. In the meantime, concrete planning for the ships’ design and negotiations for the conclusion of the relevant contracts have reached an advanced stage,” the statement reads.

“This involves an extensive and complex set of contracts, for which at least six months is typically required. Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises are confident that they will successfully conclude the negotiations in the coming weeks. The partners will then inform the public accordingly.”

With a maximum passenger capacity of 5,400 at 180,000 tons, the vessels are due to be delivered annually starting in 2030.

MSC World America Completes First Year of Service

Posted on by
Reply

MSC World America Completes First Year of Service

The MSC World America recently completed its first year of service after entering service for MSC Cruises on April 12, 2025.

As part of the company’s World-class series, the vessel was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Along with its sister ship, the MSC World Europa, the 5,400-passenger ship debuted as the largest ship in MSC’s fleet.

With a series of tweaks aimed at the U.S. market, the MSC World America was designed for year-round service in the Caribbean.

After crossing the Atlantic with no guests onboard, the vessel made its official debut in Florida, following a christening ceremony at MSC’s new cruise terminal in PortMiami.

Actress Drew Barrymore served as the vessel’s godmother, cutting the ribbon that broke a celebratory bottle on the bow of the ship.

The MSC World America then kicked off a series of seven-night cruises to destinations in the Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas.

For its maiden voyage, the LNG-powered ship sailed to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and San Juan in Puerto Rico, as well as MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay.

As it enters its second year of service, the MSC World America will continue to offer weeklong cruises from its homeport of Miami.

In 2026, the vessel’s schedule includes itineraries to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean, visiting a range of destinations, such as Cozumel in Mexico and Roatán in Honduras.

MSC is now getting ready to add two additional World Class ships to its fleet in the near future, including the MSC World Asia.

While its name pays homage to Asia, the 208,500-ton vessel is set to offer year-round cruises in the Western Mediterranean starting in December 2026.

In late 2027, the company is welcoming the MSC World Atlantic, which will sail from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.