Explora III makes first call at Port Zante
The luxury ship's visit was the first inaugural call of the 2026 to 2027 cruise season in St Kitts.
BASSETERRE, St Kitts. Explora III, the newest ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, made its first call at Port Zante on Tuesday, the first inaugural ship visit of the 2026 to 2027 cruise season in St Kitts.
The vessel, the luxury brand's first to run on liquefied natural gas, carries about 923 guests, according to the St Kitts Tourism Authority. Explora Journeys is part of the MSC Group.
Officials from the Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, the St Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority and the Urban Development Corporation exchanged plaques with Captain Pietro Sinisi on board.
"Explora's guests are the visitors we are working to attract," said Melnecia Marshall, deputy chief executive officer of the St Kitts Tourism Authority.
Tourism officials promoted Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the St Kitts Scenic Railway, rainforest hikes and community restaurants to the ship's guests.
The visit comes as work continues on the new cruise terminal at Port Zante, ahead of P&O Cruises' planned homeport operations from November 2027.
