Explora V is the fifth ship in Explora Journeys' planned six-vessel luxury fleet. The LNG-capable vessel is being built by Fincantieri in Italy and is scheduled to begin sailing in December 2027.
Construction
Construction formally began with the cutting of the first steel at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa in 2025. The ship's forward lower section, known in Italian shipbuilding as the troncone, was constructed at Fincantieri's Palermo yard in Sicily and launched in May 2026.
After initial outfitting in Palermo, the bow section was prepared for transfer to Sestri Ponente, where the vessel is being assembled and completed. Explora V reached another ceremonial milestone in March 2026 when a commemorative coin was welded into the ship during the traditional coin ceremony.
Suites and capacity
Explora Journeys' official ship page lists 457 ocean-front suites aboard Explora V. At standard double occupancy, that represents accommodation for 914 guests. The operator also publishes a guest-to-host ratio of 1.25 to one, indicating a planned complement of approximately 730 hosts when the ship is sailing at double occupancy.
Every guest accommodation will face the ocean and include a private terrace. The published accommodation selection includes Ocean Suites, Penthouses and Ocean Residences, led by full-beam Owner's Residences with extensive indoor and outdoor living space and a private infinity pool.
Onboard experience
Explora V is planned with five heated pools, seven restaurants and 12 bars and lounges. Public areas promoted by the cruise line include Emporium Marketplace, Sakura, the Lobby Bar, Atoll Pool, a running track and a collection of indoor and outdoor wellness and leisure spaces.
The ship is part of the enlarged generation of Explora vessels developed after Explora I and Explora II. Provisional industry data indicates a size of approximately 70,000gt, a length of about 268 metres and a beam of about 33 metres. These dimensions should be treated as provisional until Explora Journeys or Fincantieri publishes the completed vessel's final technical specification.
Environmental technology
Explora V is being designed with liquefied-natural-gas capability and shore-power connectivity. Shore power will allow the ship to switch off its engines and connect to a compatible local electricity supply while alongside at suitably equipped ports.
The vessel will use a new generation of LNG engines intended to address methane slip and will be capable of using alternative fuels including bio-LNG and synthetic LNG if these become available. Explora Journeys also says the ship will be built to permit a potential future retrofit of fuel-cell technology. Fossil LNG can reduce several local air pollutants compared with conventional marine fuels, but it remains a fossil fuel and is not a zero-carbon energy source.
Inaugural season
Explora V is scheduled to launch in December 2027 with an inaugural collection in the Mediterranean during the region's quieter winter season. The original programme included 27 destinations across nine countries, with calls in Italy, Malta, Croatia, Greece and Türkiye and an overnight stay in Istanbul.
Explora Journeys subsequently redeployed the ship away from its planned 2027–28 Middle East programme. Current itineraries, the precise maiden-voyage date and final registration particulars should therefore be checked directly with the cruise line before travel.