Ocean State of Mind As the lines between the hotel and cruise sectors continue to blur, Explora Journeys CEO Michael Ungerer reveals why MSC is launching a new brand that is more akin to a boutique resort than a ship. Words: Ben Thomas
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or decades, the worlds of hotel and cruise ship co-existed with little commonality; the space planning, design and development of each were considered entirely different realms. In recent years however, the two sectors have
converged, opening up new ways of thinking that recognise how the principles of one speciality can be applied to the other to create an altogether better product, and ultimately a memorable guest experience. Consequently, more and more cruise lines are taking cues from the hotel community to bring a new aesthetic to their vessels. Such was the case for MSC Group when it set about entering the ultra-luxury cruise market with Explora Journeys – a new brand that aims to “reinvent the classic cruise experience for the next generation of traveller” according to CEO Michael Ungerer, whose hospitality background aligns with the vision of owner Pierfrancesco Vago, his wife Alexa Aponte Vago and the Aponte Vago family. “The long-term view of Explora Journeys attracted me to the role,” says Ungerer. “I grew up in a family business, so I’m familiar with that sort of dynamic.” Having worked for Sonesta Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton in the States before turning his hand to the marine sector at Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Corporation, Ungerer was able to draw on his hospitality expertise to establish a new type of cruise experience. Sitting down with Vago in 2018 before becoming CEO a year later, he was keen to discuss how Explora Journeys could stand out from the competition. “We saw a gap in the market for a brand that combines the best of a luxury resort, tour and cruise all in one,” Ungerer confirms.
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