Between September 2027 and May 2028, Explora III will visit 47 destinations across 28 countries which the ultra-luxury cruise line has hailed as a "landmark moment". The 463-suite will launch in the Mediterranean next summer.
A year later Explora III will call into Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore during the line's debut Asia programme. Each one a maiden call for the line.
The programme will feature overnight stays in Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Naha, Japan; Ha Long Bay, Vietnam; and Ho Chi Minh City and Bali.
The itineraries will also coincide with major cultural events including Chinese Golden Week in Shanghai and Chinese New Year celebrations in January 2028.
Paradiso confirmed around 30% of its UK and Ireland passengers were new-to-cruise this year before outlining how he wants this figure to rise further when Explora III launches in Asia in two years' time.
Paradiso told TTG: "We've made it pretty clear that we want to attract new-to-cruise passengers. Every step that we've taken is made with that goal in mind. Explora III will unlock Asia – this is what our guests are looking for. Wherever we go in Asia will be a first for the line."
"Around 30% of our UK and Irish passengers are new to cruise. Although I call them 'yet-to-cruise'. It's very impressive. The number of new-to-cruise passengers that we're attracting is not the only reason why we're putting a ship in Asia but we do feel that the deployment will resonate with certain clientele."
Explora V, he revealed, would launch in the Mediterranean in December 2027 with its maiden cruise calling into Naples on New Year's Eve before it repositions to the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea.
Asked where the ship would operate should ongoing tensions in the Middle East not subside, Paradiso said: "The good thing about cruise is ships are moveable assets."
He confirmed Explora Journeys is currently looking to make "one or two more hires" to strengthen its trade sales team in the "next couple of months".
"This will help us work with more agents," he added. "The UK market is our second largest source market so the expectations are huge. There's an opportunity grow and we're always working on that goal."
Furthermore, Paradiso said the line would host luxury travel advisors on webinars and training sessions to ensure they had the tools and the knowledge to sell Explora III and V's maiden programmes. "We want to highlight the thought that has gone into these programmes," he added.
