Since we all have a ton of explorers, it's becoming tedious to send them out individually every 32 hours. What if a new feature allowed sending a group on a long term voyage on a ship tantamount to ten prolonged searches but within a week?

And they could bring back exotic new resources to build new units.

Explorers would need a codex to be eligible to board this ship.

The ship can be upgraded with books to hold more explorers & have more cargo space for longer voyages. The ship could be upgraded for 40 prolonged cycles within a month and hold more explorers for example.

Perhaps a slight chance of finding a new island for more real estate.