CEO Today - July 2022

Tell us about Explora Journeys’ story. Explora Journeys is a new luxury lifestyle travel brand with a unique proposition to connect the next generation of discerning luxury travellers with the ocean, themselves, and their environments. Explora Journeys’ mission is to offer guests a chance to reach an “Ocean State of Mind” – a mindset which can only be achieved when we escape to the ocean, relax, create memories, and reconnect with what matters most in our lives. Formed by over 300 years of seafaring history, our story stems from the long-held vision of the Aponte Vago family to create a different luxury experience that redefines traditional notions of cruising and ushers in a new era of ocean travel. Inspired by the family’s personal love of travel, Explora Journeys is the European luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group and as our name suggests, we represent exploration in all its forms. We have recently and proudly announced the appointment of Captain Serena Milani as Master of EXPLORA I. Serena will steer our first ship to incredible known and lesser-known locations across the world, including two destinations, Kastellorizo, Greece and Saint Pierre, Martinique that have rarely been visited by cruise ships. In total EXPLORA I will visit 132 ports in 40 countries during her first year at sea. The itineraries include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the US East Coast, Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii. Sailings start from 6-night journeys and culminate in an epic 44-night Northern Europe, Grand Journey. What were the challenges of launching the company during the COVID-19 pandemic? How did you overcome them? An Interview With Michael Ungerer CEO of Explora Journeys

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