Explora Journeys has pushed back the delivery and launch dates of its second ship, EXPLORA II.

The luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of MSC Group and ship builder Fincantieri said they have jointly agreed that more time is needed to put ‘final finishes’ to the ship.

EXPLORA II had been due to sail its maiden voyage on 11 August, but it will now be delivered on 12 September. Its revised maiden voyage will be on 16 September, from Civitavecchia, Italy, where it will sail to Sorrento, the island of Lipari, Trapani and Siracusa in Sicily, Valletta in Malta and Tarragona, Spain.

Explora Journeys is contacting guests booked on the voyages affected, either directly or through travel agents, to arrange an alternative journey on EXPLORA II or sister ship, EXPLORA I (pictured), which is also sailing in the Mediterranean this summer.