EXPLORA III, the third ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, made her maiden call to Southampton, welcoming 30 travel advisors from across the UK travel trade community on board to experience the ship first-hand.
*All details correct at time of publication (18 August 2026)
Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, and Antonio Paradiso, Vice President & Managing Director UK & Ireland, welcomed travel advisors and outlined the business opportunity to redefine luxury ocean travel and attract new-to-ocean guests.
The visit gave advisors first-hand insight into Explora Journeys’ ultra-elegant ocean travel proposition. This included the ship’s exceptional sense of space, with one of the highest ratios of total public space per guest in the industry, as well as its European design, intuitive hospitality and epicurean excellence.
The experience equipped advisors with a deeper understanding of the brand to help them introduce Explora Journeys to their clients.
A traditional Crest Exchange Ceremony marked the occasion, followed by lunch at Fil Rouge, one of EXPLORA III’s seven dining destinations, before disembarking.
EXPLORA III’s maiden Southampton call forms part of her inaugural Northern European programme. The ship, departing Southampton today, sails on an eight-night journey to Copenhagen, calling at Mandal, Sandnes (Stavanger), Olden, Bergen and Flåm.
Antonio Paradiso, VP & MD UK & Ireland, Explora Journeys said:
“Explora Journeys set out to create a new expression of ultra-elegant ocean travel, appealing to travellers who may never have considered an ocean journey before. EXPLORA III takes that vision further, giving our travel advisor partners an even stronger proposition for attracting new-to-ocean guests.
“As the third ship in our planned six-ship fleet, her maiden call to Southampton marks an important milestone for Explora Journeys in the UK, and we’re delighted to celebrate it with the Port of Southampton and our partners here today.”
EXPLORA III marks the second ship in the Explora Journeys fleet to call at Southampton, following EXPLORA I’s maiden call almost exactly three years ago on 30 August 2023.
Photo credit: Solent Photographer- Andrew Sassoli – Walker.
For more information, visit explorajourneys.com.
