Explora Journeys to roll out new agent tools

06 May 2022by April Hutchinson

Explora Journeys is to launch a new service for agents giving them the option to invite clients to a video call appointment with one of the new ultra-luxury line’s ambassadors.

April Hutchinson

Editor & publisher, TTG Luxury

April Hutchinson

Editor & publisher, TTG Luxury

The first of four ships, EXPLORA I, will be ready for launch next May

The introduction of the three-way call solution – called By Appointment + Service – will give agents a new tool to help in the sales process and is one of many being made available by the line, which is set to launch EXPLORA I – the first of four all-inclusive ships – in May 2023.

The latest move follows other initiatives such as the line’s initial By Appointment Service, whereby agents can request a call with the ambassadors at times to suit them for general enquiries and information.

Michael Ungerer, Explora Journeys’ chief executive, said that service had already been very well received by advisors so far.

“It’s been a tough time for advisors – they’ve spent their time on the phone for the past two years trying to sort things out for clients, the last thing they needed was to be on hold for us, so these appointments allow us to spend time with them when suits them,” he said

“We are totally committed to the travel advisor community for the long-term. We have enormous respect for their expertise, and we listen to them and learn from them as part of our collaborative approach,” Ungerer added.

“We have invested in user-friendly technology platforms to offer advisors a seamless and ‘best-in-class experience’ and our knowledge suite includes marketing, performance, booking and headline sections – built with extensive travel advisor input.”

He added that the UK had so far been a big supporter of the fledgling brand, which is part of MSC Group, since it emerged last year.

Michael Ungerer is expanding global teams as the line readies to launch its ships

UK support

Popular itineraries booked so far from the UK have included Nordic sailings and Caribbean trips. “I’m also pleased to say that our first ever booking was made here in the UK,” he added.

Ungerer also hinted there could be more to come beyond the initial announcement of four ships.

“Everything we do is for the long term,” he said, but ruled out adding expedition ships to the plans. “We will be going to a lot of beautiful places anyway – there are already a lot of expedition ships out there in fragile places.”

With many trends pointing towards people searching for more meaningful experiences since the pandemic and longer and more immersive stays, he added he believed Explora Journeys was already on that pathway anyway. “This was part of our original philosophy and it feels even more relevant now.”

Ungerer is also continuing to build out the global team, with Paul Potrykus’ appointment as head of sales, Southern Europe.

His joining the brand is part of a wider expansion of the commercial team by 14 further roles in North America, continental Europe and the UK, including additional team members set to join Priti Mehta, head of sales for UK and Ireland.

The lobby of EXPLORA I, where modern design will set the ships apart

Latest in luxury

All Explora Journeys’ ships will offer 461 suites, penthouses and residences all with private terraces. The vessels will also offer private cabanas, a spa, four pools including an indoor pool with a retractable glass roof and nine distinct dining experiences, overseen by head of culinary Franck Garanger, who has a long history with luxury cruise lines.

The float out for EXPLORA I will take place at the end of May and the ship will start Mediterranean itineraries a year later from Barcelona in May 2023.

Included in the ship’s first collection of journeys will be two destinations never visited by cruise ships before – Kastellorizo in Greece and Saint Pierre in Martinique.

“Journeys are being crafted as an ideal blend of celebrated destinations and hidden lesser-travelled harbours, allowing more time in each destination with atypical arrival and departure times,” Ungerer said. “Many Journeys – not all – include an overnight in renowned destinations such as Istanbul, Santorini, Ibiza, Bordeaux, Stockholm, Edinburgh and New York City. This allows our guests to immerse themselves fully in the destination.”

Construction has also already commenced on EXPLORA II, which is due to welcome its first guests in spring 2024.

Two further ships will join the fleet in 2025 and 2026, and Ungerer highlighted the “huge potential” for Explora Journeys as an ultra-luxury cruise line, with the luxury holiday market estimated at $230 billion (based on 2019 figures) yet with luxury cruise currently representing only $6.7 billion of that.

“Our vision for entering the luxury market was to redefine the luxury ocean experience and we aspire to be recognised as a luxury lifestyle travel brand,” Ungerer told TTG Luxury.

“The extensive global research we completed prior to launching Explora Journeys exposed the gaps in the market when it came to the key themes of space, choice, privacy, purposeful travel and a sense of discovery in all its forms. This undoubtedly means we will attract multiple audiences including new-to-cruise, the classic young-at-heart traveller, multi-generational families, solo travellers and friends who wish to travel together.”