EXPLORA III left Barcelona for Lisbon on her maiden journey following a naming ceremony at the new MSC Cruise Division Terminal, with sister ship EXPLORA I sailing alongside her out of the harbor. She’s the third ship in the Explora Journeys fleet and the first running on LNG, which is why the hull stretched about 66 feet longer than EXPLORA I and II to fit dual-fuel engines. What Explora did with the extra room is the part worth noting. EXPLORA III measures roughly 72,810 gross tons against 63,900 on her sisters while carrying the same 922 or so guests, working out to about 79 tons of ship per person instead of 69. That volume went into a seventh restaurant, expanded Ocean Wellness space, and a second Owner’s Residence designed by Patricia Urquiola rather than more cabins. She carries 461 ocean-front suites, 13 bars and lounges, and five heated pools. Her inaugural season covers the Baltic, the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and Greenland before crossing to Canada and New England.
EXPLORA III has begun her inaugural season with 461 suites, seven restaurants, and roughly 79 gross tons of ship per guest.
