The first steel of Explora II, the second of four new-concept luxury cruise ships that Fincantieri is building for Explora Journeys, the new luxury brand of the cruise division of MSC Group, has been cut at the Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia shipyard near Naples.

The order for this class of four 64,000 gross ton ships that was announced in 2018 is worth a total of over €2 billion.

Explora I is under construction in Monfalcone, while Explora II will be completed at the Sestri Ponente (Genoa) yard, with deliveries respectively in 2023 and 2024.

The vessels will feature latest maritime and environmental technologies and solutions available. Each equipped with 461 guest suites, they will also showcase a highly-innovative design, also under the guests’ comfort and relaxation profile, MSC Group said in a statement.