Explora Journeys Announces Marine Educator Cristina Ozores as Godmother of EXPLORA III

Marine educator, dive trainer and National Geographic Educator Cristina Ozores will officially bless and name EXPLORA III in Barcelona on 1 August 2026.

Cristina Ozores brings a lifelong passion for ocean education and marine conservation to the launch of EXPLORA III.

As co-founder of Vellmarí, a leading marine education and conservation centre in the Balearic Islands and an MSC Foundation partner since 2024, Cristina’s work reflects shared values around ocean literacy, community engagement and long-term ocean stewardship.

Aptly timed to coincide with World Ocean Day, Explora Journeys has announced the appointment of renowned marine educator, dive trainer and National Geographic Educator Cristina Ozores as the Godmother of EXPLORA III. As a passionate advocate for ocean conservation, she brings a respected voice from the marine world to the launch of EXPLORA III, the first LNG-powered ship in the Explora Journeys fleet.

As a recognised voice for ocean literacy and marine conservation, Cristina has developed innovative programmes that bring people closer to the sea through direct experiences, fostering environmental responsibility and a lasting commitment to safeguarding the Mediterranean and the world’s oceans for future generations. Since 2024, Vellmarí has partnered with the MSC Foundation on seagrass restoration and educational initiatives, underscoring a shared commitment to ocean literacy and community engagement, both essential to fostering long-term stewardship of marine environments.

“Naming Cristina Ozores as Godmother on World Ocean Day is incredibly meaningful for us,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “Her dedication to ocean education and preservation reflects values that are deeply important to our brand and to the Ocean State of Mind philosophy that guides us. Cristina’s inspiring work and lifelong connection to the ocean make her a natural choice for this role.”

“Being asked to become Godmother of EXPLORA III is not just an honour, it is a very emotional moment for me, particularly on World Ocean Day,” said Cristina Ozores. “I have spent much of my life working below the surface – studying marine biology, restoring seabeds and helping younger generations better understand fragile ocean habitats. To see that work symbolically connected to a ship that will travel the world feels incredibly meaningful. My hope is that EXPLORA III becomes a space where people can discover the ocean in a deeper and more meaningful way, reconnecting with the beauty beneath the surface.”

In keeping with centuries of maritime tradition, the Godmother serves as a symbolic guardian, offering a blessing of good fortune and safety for the ship, its crew and its guests. Cristina will officially accept this honour when she names the ship during a dedicated ceremony in Barcelona on 1 August 2026, ahead of the ship’s official Maiden Journey departing two days later.

Following her official naming in Barcelona, EXPLORA III will sail to Lisbon on her seven-night Maiden Journey, marking the beginning of a refined northern season through culturally rich destinations and striking landscapes. Across her inaugural season, the ship will journey through the fjords of Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland before crossing the Atlantic to explore the autumn landscapes of New England and Canada’s East Coast.