Antigua and Barbuda welcomed the luxury cruise ship Explora III on its inaugural visit to the destination, bringing 848 passengers ashore and marking a new addition to the country’s cruise tourism calendar.

The vessel, captained by Pietro Sinisi, is the newest addition to the Explora Journeys fleet, having entered service approximately three months ago.

The inaugural call is the first of five scheduled visits to Antigua, with the ship expected to return four more times at two-week intervals.

The additional calls are expected to provide opportunities for local businesses, tourism operators and other stakeholders to benefit from increased visitor activity.

Passengers visiting the island have opportunities to explore Antigua and Barbuda’s beaches, historical landmarks, cultural attractions and other tourism experiences.

The ship’s arrival also strengthens Antigua and Barbuda’s position as a destination for luxury cruise tourism as the country continues to attract vessels from international cruise lines.

Tourism officials extended a warm welcome to Captain Sinisi, his crew and passengers, expressing enthusiasm about the vessel’s upcoming visits.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Explora III Makes First Call to Antigua and Barbuda With 848 Passengers.