Explora III Christened in Barcelona amidst glamour, eco-technology, and record-breaking spaces

The christening ceremony for Explora III, the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, was held on August 1st in Barcelona. Following its delivery in Genoa and a brief preview cruise, which featured Brand Ambassador Jannik Sinner as its first special guest, the flagship was officially christened by its godmother Cristina Ozores, a renowned marine educator. The event celebrated the halfway point in the brand’s growth plan and concluded with an exclusive gala featuring live performances by disco icons Sister Sledge and a DJ set by Bob Sinclar.

From a design perspective, Explora III is 19.2 meters longer than the first two sister ships in the class. This extension provides a generous 19.5 square meters of public space per passenger, one of the highest values in the entire industry. The interior spaces are enhanced with a completely redesigned Grand Lobby featuring marble staircases and Venini-signed Murano chandeliers, a second Owner’s Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola, and a unified Ocean Wellness area on Deck 5. There is also room for haute cuisine with novelties such as The Cellar wine bar (boasting labels from Sting’s Il Palagio), the bespoke experience The Chef’s Table, and the maritime debut of high jewelry boutiques Chopard and Mandala.

In line with the MSC Group’s sustainability goals, the use of LNG significantly reduces emissions, complemented by the provision for shore power connectivity during port calls. Following the celebrations, the ship officially sets sail today for its seven-night inaugural voyage to Lisbon. From there, it will begin its first summer season, navigating among the wonders of Northern Europe, the fjords, Iceland, Greenland, and the coasts of North America.