July 26, 2026. Explora Journeys held the official launch ceremony for EXPLORA III in Barcelona, Spain, welcoming the company’s first ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and reaching a new milestone in its ambition to build a fleet of six ships that will redefine ultra-luxury ocean travel.
Following its early delivery in Genoa on July 23, 2026, EXPLORA III embarked on an exclusive Prelude Journey through the Mediterranean before arriving in Barcelona for the official launch ceremony. Explora Journeys Global Ambassador Jannik Sinner was the ship’s first guest on this maiden voyage. Following the success of this inaugural voyage, the ceremony brought together distinguished guests and senior executives from Explora Journeys and the MSC Group to celebrate this new chapter in the company’s history.
At 19.2 meters longer than EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, every additional meter has been dedicated entirely to enhancing the guest experience. The result is 19.5 square meters of public space per passenger, one of the highest ratios in the industry and the most generous in the entire Explora Journeys fleet.
As Explora Journeys’ first LNG-powered ship, EXPLORA III represents a further step in the brand’s sustainability and technological innovation strategy.
The vessel is currently equipped to operate on LNG and can be adapted in the future to use renewable fuels such as Bio-LNG or synthetic LNG. It also features shore power, allowing the engines to be shut down during port calls in those ports with this infrastructure.
