World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner has become the first guest to board Explora Journeys’ newest ship, Explora III.
Explora III is the first LNG-powered ship in the Explora Journeys fleet and welcomed its very first guest on 24 July when brand ambassador and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner sailed the opening leg of her Mediterranean Prelude Journey.
Fresh from his Wimbledon title, Sinner joined the July voyage from Genoa to Marseille. The sailing doubled as the launch platform for In Balance: A Jannik Sinner Ocean Wellness Programme.
Sinner also inaugurated the ship’s new padel court alongside Captain Serena Melani and Explora Journeys president Anna Nash, and was named the first Honorary Diamond Member of the brand’s Explora Club loyalty programme.
Sinner says, “I’m honoured to be Explora Journeys’ Brand Ambassador”.
“For me, wellness is not just about training – it’s about recovery and balance. I believe in the power of nature and mindful routines, and I see those values reflected in every experience with Explora Journeys.”
Explora president Anna Nash says, “Explora III represents the next step in our journey as we continue to redefine ocean travel through thoughtful innovation”.
The new ship has expanded Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences, and three new culinary venues in The Chef’s Table, The Cellar and Shore Club on Deck 11, and a unified Ocean Wellness sanctuary on Deck 5.
Designed to have the feeling of a private yacht, the 463-suite ship’s lobby is a double-height atrium of marble and cascading chandeliers, complemented by contemporary artworks by Yves Dana and Nena, soft lighting and a dedicated music corner with a Steinway piano.
Maiden season and itineraries
Following a one-time, five-night Mediterranean Prelude Journey from Genoa, Explora III sails to Barcelona for her naming ceremony on 1 August 2026, then departs on 3 August on a seven-night maiden journey to Lisbon.
Her inaugural season traces a continuous northern route across Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America, with no repeated itineraries and longer stays in port. In 2027 she headlines Explora Journeys’ debut Alaska season.
For more information, visit Explora Journeys.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Building a wellness programme and a padel court around a reigning world No. 1 gives Explora Journeys a marketable hook well beyond the usual ship reveal, and a talking point for advisors selling the LNG-powered third ship. With three vessels now sailing and three more due by 2028, the fleet’s expansion is the real story for sellers watching the ultra-luxury cruise field.
