A Life Beneath the Surface - Cristina Ozores on Becoming Godmother of EXPLORA III
Marine educator, conservationist, and co-founder of Vellmarí, Cristina Ozores, has spent more than twenty years sharing her love for the Mediterranean and helping others discover what lies beneath its surface. As she becomes Godmother of EXPLORA III, she does so from a very personal place: with the desire that every person who Journeys on her feels that same sense of wonder, connection, and joy. Because, in the end, it’s not just about a ship- it’s about understanding that we are all part of this ocean and learning to care for it together.
A ship's Godmother is a ceremonial patron and symbolic guardian who is entrusted with blessing a new vessel and wishing good fortune, protection, and safe voyages for all who sail aboard her. The role is one of the most enduring traditions in maritime history and creates a lifelong association between the Godmother and the ship.
Cristina, what was your first reaction when you were invited to become godmother of EXPLORA III?
When I first heard I was going to be the godmother, I honestly thought they weren’t talking about me—it felt so unexpected, almost unreal. But then it truly sank in, and my heart just started beating really fast. I felt a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. Being asked to become Godmother of EXPLORA III is not just an honour, it is a very emotional moment for me. I have spent most of my life working below the surface, often far from the spotlight—restoring seabeds, teaching children, and protecting fragile ecosystems. To see that work recognised, and symbolically connected to a ship that will travel the world, feels incredibly meaningful.
What does the role of Godmother represent to you personally?
For me, being the Godmother of EXPLORA III is about opening the door to a new kind of experience - one where people can truly discover the ocean in a deeper, more meaningful way. I hope each Journey invites them to feel the beauty beneath the surface, to be amazed by its colours and life, and to reconnect with the sea with curiosity, joy, and a genuine desire to care for it.
Your career has been rooted in education and hands-on conservation. How does that connect to EXPLORA III?
My work has always been guided by simple human values - connection, respect, curiosity, and care. Through education and hands-on conservation, I’ve learned that we are not separate from the ocean - we are part of this world, just one more piece of the puzzle. That’s why I feel such a natural connection with EXPLORA III: it can be a space where people reconnect with that feeling, sharing meaningful experiences that bring them closer to the sea, to each other, and to the responsibility we all have in protecting it.
The Mediterranean has been at the heart of your life’s work. Why is it so important to protect it now?
The Mediterranean is extraordinary, but it is also incredibly fragile. Ecosystems like Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows are essential for marine life, carbon capture, and coastal protection, yet they are disappearing rapidly due to human pressure. What happens here is a reflection of what is happening globally. Protecting the Mediterranean is about preserving a living fabric that has supported coastal communities for centuries—and ensuring it can continue to do so.
What has the journey since you co- founded Vellmarí more than 8 years ago taught you?
Conservation is not about quick results; it is about long-term commitment. At Vellmarí, we combine science, diving, education, and community engagement because real change only happens when people feel personally connected. It has given me the sense of connecting future generations with real experiences. Connecting young people with the sea is a big journey.
How does your partnership with the MSC Foundation influence your vision as Godmother of EXPLORA III?
It’s not just about being a Godmother of EXPLORA III, it’s about sharing something I truly believe in: a love for the ocean and the responsibility to care for it. Through this collaboration, everything we do in the field - restoring Posidonia, working with young people, connecting communities with the sea - suddenly has the opportunity to travel much further. It reaches people who might not have experienced the ocean in this way before. For me, it’s about creating that moment of connection. That moment when someone looks at the sea differently and has a real moment. When they feel part of it. If we can bring that feeling onboard, even in a simple way, then EXPLORA III becomes more than a ship - she becomes a space where people reconnect with the ocean, with each other, and hopefully with a more conscious way of living. And that, to me, is something very special
Do you believe luxury and sustainability can truly coexist?
For me, luxury today is not about having more, it’s about feeling more. Feeling connected, feeling inspired, feeling that what you’re enjoying actually makes sense. Through my work with the MSC Foundation and experiences connected to EXPLORA III, I see that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand when things are done with care and intention.
What message would you like EXPLORA III to carry as she sails the world’s seas?
EXPLORA III should carry a message that inspires a deeper connection with the ocean - inviting people to discover its extraordinary biodiversity, the richness of its colours, and the vibrant life that lies beneath the surface, fostering a sense of respect, responsibility, and shared joy in protecting our seas.
The third ship of the Explora Journeys fleet
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