EXPLORA III Completes Sea Trials, Ship Will Debut in July

EXPLORA III successfully completed its third round of sea trials, a series of technical and nautical tests that took place in the Mediterranean.

The 72,810 gross ton ship will be the third in Explora Journeys’ fleet when it debuts on July 24, 2026. It will also be the first in the cruise line’s fleet to be powered by LNG.

Following her successful sea trials, the ship returned to Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa for interior outfitting and final finishing touches.

The ship will be ready ahead of schedule and will be delivered on time. EXPLORA III will begin her inaugural season with the Mediterranean Prelude sailing departing on July 24, 2026, arriving in Barcelona for her official naming ceremony on August 1, 2026.

Two days later, the ship will head out on a seven-night Maiden Journey that will take the ship to Lisbon, Portugal, marking the beginning of a refined Northern European season through culturally rich destinations and striking landscapes.

Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, gave the following statement about the new ship:

“The completion of EXPLORA III’s sea trials marks another proud milestone for Explora Journeys as we continue to bring our long-term fleet vision to life.

“EXPLORA III represents the next phase in our growth and reflects our continued commitment to thoughtful innovation, exceptional guest experiences and a conscious approach to luxury ocean travel. As the first LNG-powered ship in our fleet, she also marks an important step in our transition towards lower-emission technologies, supporting our pathway to net zero greenhouse gas emissions for our maritime operations by 2050.

This summer, Explora Journeys will have three ships sailing – a significant milestone that reflects the strength of our vision and the remarkable momentum behind the brand.”