Explora Journeys Adds Group Booking Programs

Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s new luxury cruise brand, unveiled two new group programs for travel advisors: Journey Together and Journey Together+. The line also expanded its agency-facing “By Appointment” program.

“Designing our Journey Together group programs and developing our ‘By Appointment+’ service has been a highly collaborative process with the travel advisor community,” said Chris Austin, chief sales officer at Explora Journeys.

Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys added: “We remain absolutely committed to providing our travel advisor community the resources and customized solutions to ensure mutual success for the long term.”

Journey Together
Designed for travel advisors looking to book small groups, extended and multi-generational families, and smaller meetings and incentives groups, the Journey Together program starts with a five-suite and 10-guest minimum.

It offers reward commission payments and complimentary Journey Experience credits (ie onboard credit) for each suite. Additionally, the advisor gets a tour conductor (TC) berth that can be used by an agency/advisor to escort the group. Alternatively, the agency/advisor can receive the equivalent of the TC journey fare as marketing support, paid as hard funds.

Journey Together+
Designed for larger groups, the program starts with a 10-suite and 20-guest minimum. Journey Together+ fares are reduced fares that travel advisors are encouraged to mark up for increased profit. Advisors also get reward commissions for Journey Together+ group bookings.

And, as above, the advisor gets a tour conductor (TC) suite that can be used by an agency/advisor to escort the group. Alternatively, the agency/advisor can receive the equivalent of the TC journey fare as marketing support, paid as hard funds.

Full ship charter requests can also be submitted by advisors but are negotiated independently of the Journey Together programs.

By Appointment+
Launched in December last year, the “By Appointment” program lets advisors schedule and hold a time with an Explora Journeys rep for personalized help when booking a client’s travel. Starting now, travel advisors can invite their clients on the call, to allow Explora Journeys’ “Ambassadors” to answer any questions and finalize the bookings.

Bookings are open for Explora I’s inaugural season, which begins May 2023.