MSC’s Explora III luxury LNG‑powered cruise ship launched in the Mediterranean and named in Barcelona

Explora III, the newest vessel of Explora Voyages and the first LNG‑powered ship in the MSC Group fleet, made its debut on the Mediterranean with a spectacular launch that included a drone display, a concert by Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge and a DJ set by Bob Sinclar. The ship offers 461 suites for up to 900 passengers and is staffed by roughly 700 crew members. On board are five swimming pools, a padel court, a casino, a whisky‑and‑cigar bar, boutiques featuring Cartier, Rolex and Chopard, an art gallery, and exclusive restaurants such as Anthology, Fil Rouge, Med Yacht Club and Sakura, plus a wellness centre with hydrotherapy facilities.

The official naming ceremony took place in Barcelona, attended by MSC Group executives Pierfrancesco Vago and Explora Journeys President Anna Nash, Port of Barcelona President José Alberto Carbonell, godmother Cristina Ozores and global brand ambassador Jannik Sinner, who was the ship’s first guest. The ceremony featured speeches, a christening by Ozores, a gala dinner, and performances by Sister Sledge and Bob Sinclar, underscoring the vessel’s positioning as an ultra‑elegant ocean‑travel destination.