EXPLORA Journeys, the new luxury cruise line created by MSC Cruises, has appointed former Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) sales chief Gillian Seller as its first local Sales Manager.
Seller started with Explora this week, reporting to Head of Sales APAC Nicole Costantin, who was appointed to her new role earlier this year.
Also new to the growing Explora team is James McCullagh, who joins the fledgling brand after eight years with Norwegian Cruise Line, and other sales roles within the sector including Princess Cruises and Jetset Travelworld’s Cruise Team.
Costantin told travelBulletin the Explora Sales Excellence Team’s first Asia-Pacific team member will join next month, when Lauren Bevan commences, while Wanda Ferrand’s Customer Experience team has welcomed Matt Backo, to round out the Explora Asia Pacific contingent at six.
She said Explora was looking to further grow its local staff numbers over the next few months, as the brand’s footprint in the region grows.
“The response from the industry has been truly overwhelming, and we are very grateful,” Costantin added.
It is the culmination of a big week for Explora, which on Wednesday released the inaugural itineraries of its second ship Explora II, which launches in the northern summer of 2024.
The schedule is now open for bookings, with a unique set of journeys and new destinations, which will allow guests to explore renowned and off-the-beaten-path locations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India, the Indian Ocean, and Africa.
Featuring 25 journeys between August 2024 and the end of April 2025, the itineraries will include 82 unique ports across 26 countries.
