October 22, 2026 — Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, has made two senior appointments to grow in North America.
The appointments
| Name | New role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lara Koslow | President, North America | Effective November 30, 2026; based in Miami; leads commercial, marketing and sales for the U.S., Canada and Mexico; reports to Ruben A. Rodriguez, CEO North America, MSC Group’s Cruise Division |
| Chris Austin | President, Luxury Travel Partnerships (new) | Reports to Koslow; keeps trade sales and brand ambassador duties; adds new distribution channels and work with MSC Cruises North America on MSC Yacht Club |
Global president Anna Nash called North America “fundamental” to the brand’s growth. Explora cited new itineraries in Alaska (2027), Asia (2027–28), South America (2028) and a World Journey (2029), with six ships planned to be sailing by 2028.
What it means for airline travelers
- No immediate change for guests. The new partnerships role covers trade and distribution channels, so watch for new booking routes and offers through travel advisors.
- No travel-industry or interline rates were mentioned.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News: Explora Strengthens North American Leadership
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