Explora Journeys Names Chris Austin as President, North America

Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand of the MSC Group, has named Chris Austin as its new president of North America. He will be based in Miami and will assume full ownership of the North American teams and market for Explora Journeys, spanning the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Austin joined Explora Journeys in Nov. 2020 as the brand’s chief sales officer. He has been instrumental in building the foundational pillars of the Explora Journeys brand.

“Chris is a highly respected leader in the luxury hospitality industry and was one of the founding members of the Explora Journeys leadership team,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, chairman cruise division for MSC Group. “The appointment signifies not only his exceptional talent but also the boundless growth opportunities within our organization. With his extensive expertise, Chris will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our business…”

The appointment comes almost two months after Explora Journeys’ original CEO Michael Ungerer left his role for undisclosed “personal reasons.” Vago has been in charge of the brand since Ungerer stepped down.

Austin has previously held positions with Seabourn Cruise Line and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.