EXPLORA III made its maiden Algarve visit as Portimão heads towards a record year for cruise tourism
Ultraluxury cruise ship EXPLORA III made its maiden call in Portimão this summer, as operator Explora Journeys signalled its interest in strengthening its presence in the Algarve.
The recently christened vessel, the third ultraluxury ship operated by the MSC Group brand, anchored off Portimão with more than 800 passengers during its inaugural voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon.
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the ship to regional officials and travel industry partners, whilst passengers discovered some of the Algarve’s attractions.
It also highlighted the company’s interest in Portimão as a potential destination for future itineraries.
“It’s a nod to the region,” said Explora Journeys sales manager Renato Reis.
“There is interest from our company, from the MSC Group, in also developing this part of the Algarve, namely the Port of Portimão.”
Álvaro Bila, mayor of Portimão, believes the luxury cruise sector represents a valuable niche market with the potential to benefit the town, neighbouring Lagoa and the wider Algarve.
The maiden visit also came in what is shaping up to be a record year for cruise tourism in Portimão.
Algarve Tourism Board (RTA) president André Gomes said the port was on course to surpass 100 cruise ship calls in 2026 for the first time. Just a few years ago, Portimão received around 30 to 40 calls annually, before the figure rose to between 60 and 70.
Gomes stressed that cruise passengers arriving in Portimão represent the type of higher-value tourism the Algarve increasingly wants to attract.
“This is clearly not mass tourism,” he said, arguing that the sector fits the region’s strategy of increasing the value generated by visitors rather than simply pursuing higher tourist numbers. Lagoa mayor Luís Encarnação similarly described EXPLORA III as an example of tourism aimed at the “high or very high-end” market.
Delivered to Explora Journeys in July, EXPLORA III departed Barcelona on August 3 on its seven-night maiden voyage, two days after being christened. The ship has 463 ocean-facing suites, penthouses and residences, all with private terraces, and can accommodate around 900 passengers.
Explora Journeys describes its concept as closer to a luxury hotel than a conventional cruise ship, with a particular emphasis on space, comfort and dining. EXPLORA III is also the company’s first vessel to feature a dual-fuel propulsion system capable of operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or marine diesel.
Captain Serena Melani, who had previously visited Portimão whilst working for another cruise company, said she was “very happy” to bring EXPLORA III to the Algarve for its maiden call.
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