TORONTO — Explora Journeys has officially named EXPLORA III in Barcelona, celebrating the arrival of the brand’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ship and the third vessel in its growing fleet.
The naming ceremony, held Aug. 1 alongside the MSC Cruise Division terminal in Barcelona, marks the halfway point in Explora Journeys’ plan to launch six ultra-luxury ships.
EXPLORA III was delivered ahead of schedule on July 23 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Genoa before embarking on a five-night Prelude Journey through the Mediterranean. The voyage welcomed Explora Journeys Global Brand Ambassador and world No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner as the ship’s first guest.
The official naming ceremony brought together senior executives from Explora Journeys and MSC Group and featured a gala dinner across the ship’s restaurants as well as performances by Sister Sledge and DJ Bob Sinclar.
Following the naming celebrations, EXPLORA III departed Barcelona on Aug. 3 for a seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon.
The ship’s inaugural season will include sailings across Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America.
LARGEST SHIP IN THE FLEET
At 63 feet longer than EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, EXPLORA III becomes the largest ship in the fleet and offers what the company says is the highest public space-to-guest ratio in the Explora Journeys fleet, with 64 square feet of public space per guest.
The ship introduces an expanded collection of Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences, along with a second 3,391-square-foot Owner’s Residence. New public spaces include a redesigned Conservatory Pool & Bar, an updated Crema Café, an outdoor cigar lounge beside the Malt Whisky Bar and a reimagined Ocean Wellness area that combines the ship’s spa and fitness facilities.
NEW CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of parent comapny MSC Group’s Cruise Division, Cristina Ozores, EXPLORA III’s Godmother, and Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys
EXPLORA III also introduces several new culinary concepts, including The Cellar by Explora Journeys, featuring nearly 350 wines from established and emerging regions, and The Chef’s Table by Explora Journeys, offering bespoke dining experiences tailored to guest preferences.
Other additions include Shore Club on 11, serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine beside the Conservatory Pool, and the debut of luxury retail brands including Chopard, Piaget, Cartier and Rolex, along with the first Mandala by Ocean Atelier jewellery boutique at sea.
INVESTING IN SUSTAINABILITY
As the first LNG-powered ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, EXPLORA III represents the brand’s continued investment in lower-emission marine technologies.
The vessel has been designed to operate on LNG while also being capable of using future renewable alternatives such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG as they become available. It is also equipped with shore power capability, allowing the ship to connect to local electrical grids and switch off its engines while in port where infrastructure exists.
For more details, go to www.explorajourneys.com.
Travelweek recently sailed aboard the EXPLORA III during its prelude sailing. To read our preview coverage, click here. Stay tuned for more coverage.
Lead image caption: EXPLORA III — Credit Luca Broilo
