The Latvian capital’s port hosted a striking display of high-end maritime tourism as two distinct luxury liners made scheduled stops during their respective Baltic and Northern European itineraries. The arrivals highlighted an increasingly competitive luxury cruise sector characterized by boutique vessel design, specialized dining concepts, and high passenger-to-crew ratios designed to rival five-star hotels at sea.
Explora III Makes Historic Port Call Powered by LNG
Measuring 268 meters in length and 32 meters in width, Explora III entered the port as the largest and most modern vessel in the six-star ultra-luxury segment to visit the harbor. Built at the Italian shipyard in Genoa and delivered in mid-July, the lainer brought 809 travelers from the United States, Australia, Japan, Great Britain, Canada, and other nations to the city as part of an eight-night Northern European cruise titled A Journey through Cultural Riches & Stunning Scenery.
The vessel is the first within its operating company’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a technology intended to significantly curb emissions during navigation. Operating under the Explora Journeys brand—part of the MSC Group owned by the Aponte family—the ship features 11 decks, 461 ocean-front suites, three outdoor pools, 64 private cabanas, and a guest-to-host ratio of 1.25 to 1.
Commanding the ship is Italian captain Serena Melani, who entered maritime history in 2020 as the first woman globally to take a new cruise ship out of a shipyard as captain. Having previously served as the first master of Explora I
and Explora II
, Melani participated in hydrodynamic model testing for the third vessel in the Netherlands starting in 2023. Commenting on the build, she emphasized a balance between innovation and maritime tradition, noting that contemporary sea travel demands environmental responsibility paired with professional seafaring judgment.
Seven Seas Grandeur Brings Faberge Eggs and Picasso Works to Riga
Sharing the spotlight in port was Seven Seas Grandeur, a vessel delivered in late 2023 for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The ship features 13 decks and houses 373 suites equipped with private balconies for its 669 passengers, who are supported by 544 crew members to ensure a high level of personalized service.
The ship’s 14-night Northern European itinerary, titled Northern Moods and Baroque Splendor, began in Oslo and is scheduled to conclude in Stockholm, with Riga serving as the sole Baltic state port on the route. Beyond its maritime specifications, the vessel carries an art collection exceeding 1,600 pieces, including works by Pablo Picasso. Its standout exhibition piece is Journey in Jewels
, a custom-created Faberge egg positioned in the atrium on deck five—marking the first Faberge egg permanently housed at sea.
Diverging Dining Models Across the Ultra-Luxury Fleet
The two ships reflect broader shifts in the high-end cruise market, which increasingly vies directly with elite land-based hotels. While traditional cruising relies on expansive buffet setups and large formal dining rooms, Explora III has discarded the traditional buffet and captain’s table format entirely. Instead, the vessel offers seven distinct restaurants, including the fine-dining venue Anthology—which levies an additional €200 per person charge for a seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings—alongside options such as the French venue Fil Rouge, the Med Yacht Club, and the Japanese restaurant Sakura.
Accommodations across this tier command premium pricing. The Owner’s Residence aboard Explora III reaches prices of €6,400 per guest per night, spanning the entire width of the vessel. Meanwhile, standard seven-night sailings aboard the ship starting from Eastern Canada toward New York begin at £4,300 per person.
Port Strategy Targets Niche Tourism Segments
Port authorities report that niche luxury and expedition cruise segments are receiving targeted focus in regional tourism development. Data through the end of July indicated that 90,000 foreign tourists had visited Riga via cruise ships, with visitors arriving predominantly from Germany, the United States, Great Britain, and Finland.
This ongoing influx relies on coordinated efforts between the Riga Freeport Authority, municipal leaders, and investment agencies to market the destination internationally. As the port accommodates vessels ranging from the compact regular visitor Clio to mega-liners like Explora III, municipal officials exchanged inaugural plaques with ship commanders to mark the visits, underscoring the growing economic importance of high-end maritime tourism to the Baltic region.
