Explora Journeys, the premium brand of the MSC Group, has expressed satisfaction with the reception of its offerings from the Portuguese public. This assessment was shared by Renato Reis, Sales Manager for the luxury cruise line, during EXPLORA III’s maiden call in Lisbon—the third vessel to join the company's fleet, founded approximately three years ago.

According to Reis, both consumers and domestic travel agents are increasingly recognising the product’s competitive advantages, pointing toward the brand’s progressive consolidation within Portugal’s high-end tourism sector.

The call at the Portuguese capital’s port, marked by the traditional plaque-exchange ceremony with port authorities, included a guided technical tour for tourism industry professionals and the press.

The initiative aimed to equip travel agents to recommend the product to clients accustomed to traditional luxury hospitality. Following its stop in Lisbon, the ship also made a maiden call at the Leixões Cruise Terminal on Tuesday, 11 August, before continuing its route to Southampton, UK, on a fully booked voyage that includes Portuguese passengers, before commencing itineraries covering Northern Europe, Iceland, and Greenland, scheduled to run through September.

Launched in Barcelona in early August, EXPLORA III marks a key milestone in the fleet expansion plan, which aims to have six ships in operation by 2028. With a capacity of 900 passengers across 463 suites—all featuring verandas and ranging from the Ocean Terrace category to the 280-square-metre Owner’s Residence—the new vessel introduces structural and operational innovations compared to previous models.

These include a redesigned kids’ club with age-specific zones, an enhanced culinary offering, and dedicated spaces for corporate events. The ship also stands out for its sustainability credentials, being the first in the fleet powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which enables a significant reduction in pollutant emissions while sailing.