Explora Journeys is owned by MSC Group, the privately held Swiss shipping conglomerate controlled by the Aponte family.
Explora Journeys operates as the ultra luxury travel division of MSC Group, sitting alongside sister brand MSC Cruises under the same family ownership.
The brand launched its first ship in 2023 and targets sophisticated travelers seeking longer voyages, spacious suites, and destination focused itineraries rather than resort style entertainment.
MSC Group is one of the largest privately owned shipping companies on earth, with operations spanning container shipping, ferries, cargo logistics, and passenger cruising from its Geneva headquarters.
Have you ever wondered how a family that built its fortune moving cargo containers ended up designing some of the most exclusive suites at sea?
In this guide we will cover who owns Explora Journeys, how the brand fits into the wider MSC Group, who leads the company today, what its fleet looks like, and how it compares with other luxury cruise lines.
Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Is Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys is an ultra luxury ocean cruise brand that launched its first sailings in 2023.
The brand was unveiled by MSC Group in 2021 as an entirely new venture, separate in style and market position from the existing MSC Cruises brand.
Its ships feature all suite accommodations, open dining concepts, and itineraries built around longer stays in port rather than packed sea days.
The company is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside the rest of MSC Group’s passenger shipping operations.
Who Owns Explora Journeys?
Explora Journeys is wholly owned by MSC Group, the Geneva based shipping company controlled by the Aponte family.
MSC Group is not a publicly traded corporation, so there are no shares available for everyday investors to purchase.
Instead, ownership sits directly with the Aponte family, the same family that has run MSC since Captain Gianluigi Aponte founded the shipping business in 1970.
Because MSC Group remains a private, family controlled enterprise, Explora Journeys answers directly to family leadership rather than to a board elected by public shareholders.
Privately held family shipping conglomerate, Geneva, Switzerland
Founding owners and controlling family of MSC Group
Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises Division
Wholly owned luxury travel brand
President, Explora Journeys
Is Explora Journeys Publicly Traded or Privately Owned?
Explora Journeys is privately owned, not publicly traded.
Its parent, MSC Group, has remained a family business since it was founded and has never listed shares on any stock exchange.
This sets Explora Journeys apart from most large cruise operators, since Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are all publicly traded companies answerable to outside shareholders.
Because the Aponte family funds the brand privately, MSC Group is able to commit billions of euros to new ship construction without needing approval from public investors.
Who Founded MSC Group and Explora Journeys?
MSC Group was founded in 1970 by Captain Gianluigi Aponte, an Italian born ship’s captain who started the business with a single cargo vessel.
Over five decades the company grew into Mediterranean Shipping Company, today one of the largest container shipping lines in the world.
MSC Cruises, the passenger shipping arm, followed in 1988, and Explora Journeys was announced as a brand new luxury division in 2021.
The Aponte family, including Gianluigi Aponte’s son Diego, continues to run the group’s various divisions today.
A fuller company history is available on Wikipedia’s entry for Explora Journeys.
Who Leads Explora Journeys Today?
Anna Nash serves as President of Explora Journeys, a role she took on in September 2024.
Nash previously spent a decade at luxury hotel group Aman, where she held chief commercial, marketing, and communications roles before joining Explora Journeys.
She reports to Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the MSC Cruises Division, who oversees both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys on behalf of the Aponte family.
Nash’s appointment came after founding CEO Michael Ungerer left the company in March 2024, and the brand restructured its top leadership around a president model rather than replacing the CEO title directly.
Readers who want more detail on that leadership change can review coverage from Seatrade Cruise News.
How Has Explora Journeys Grown Since Launch?
Explora Journeys moved from concept to operating fleet in under three years.
The brand was unveiled by MSC Group in 2021, and its first ship entered service just two years later.
What Other Brands Does MSC Group Own?
MSC Group owns two passenger cruise brands directly.
These are MSC Cruises, the group’s larger contemporary and premium cruise line, and Explora Journeys, its newer ultra luxury division.
| Brand | Market Position |
| MSC Cruises | Contemporary and premium global cruise line, third largest in the world by capacity |
| Explora Journeys | Ultra luxury division aimed at experienced travelers |
Beyond cruising, MSC Group also runs a huge container shipping business, ferry operations under the Grandi Navi Veloci brand, logistics, and terminal operations across dozens of countries.
Readers interested in the sister brand can see the full breakdown in WhoMakeThis’s guide to who owns MSC Cruises.
Explora Journeys Fleet
Explora Journeys currently operates two ships, with four more under construction.
Explora I entered service in 2023, followed by Explora II in 2024, both built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
Explora III is scheduled for 2026, with Explora IV and Explora V planned for 2027, and Explora VI planned for 2028.
Where Does Explora Journeys Sail?
Explora Journeys focuses on destination rich itineraries rather than short getaways.
Its ships sail the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean, with many voyages lasting a week or longer in a single region.
The brand has announced plans to expand into Asia and the Far East as its newer ships join the fleet in the coming years.
What Is Explora Journeys Known For?
Explora Journeys markets itself around the idea of slow, immersive travel rather than packed daily schedules.
Every cabin on its ships is a suite, many with private verandas, and the brand emphasizes open dining without fixed seating times.
The brand positions itself for travelers who already know luxury hotels and want a similar level of service and space at sea.
How Does Explora Journeys Compare With Other Luxury Cruise Lines?
Explora Journeys competes directly with other high end lines such as Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Compared with Silversea, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Group, Explora Journeys tends to operate somewhat larger ships with more open plan dining spaces.
Both brands target similar guests, but Explora Journeys is the newer entrant and is still building out its full itinerary calendar as more ships join the fleet.
For comparison on how a competing luxury brand is structured, see WhoMakeThis’s guide to who owns Silversea Cruises.
Is Explora Journeys Really Good or Worth It?
Early guest feedback and trade press coverage generally describe Explora Journeys as a genuine luxury product, though still young compared with long established rivals.
As with any new brand, service consistency and itinerary variety are still expanding as the fleet grows.
- All suite accommodations with genuinely spacious layouts
- Open dining concept without fixed seating times
- Backed by the deep resources of privately held MSC Group
- Smaller fleet and itinerary choice than established luxury rivals
- Premium pricing typical of the ultra luxury segment
- Leadership changes early in the brand’s history
Customer Service and Official Contact Information
Guests with booking or onboard questions should start with Explora Journeys’s own official channels.
The official website is explorajourneys.com, which lists current contact options and travel advisor resources.
Explora Journeys is wholly owned by privately held MSC Group, the Aponte family’s Geneva based shipping conglomerate, with Anna Nash serving as brand President under Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago.
Frequently Asked Questions About Explora Journeys
Who owns Explora Journeys cruise line?
Explora Journeys is wholly owned by MSC Group, the privately held shipping conglomerate controlled by the Aponte family.
Is Explora Journeys the same company as MSC Cruises?
No. Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises are separate brands, but both are wholly owned by the same parent, MSC Group.
MSC Cruises is the group’s larger contemporary and premium line, while Explora Journeys is its newer ultra luxury division.
Who is the current president of Explora Journeys?
Anna Nash has served as President of Explora Journeys since September 2024, reporting to Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the MSC Cruises Division.
Is MSC Group a publicly traded company?
No. MSC Group is privately owned by the Aponte family and has never listed shares on a public stock exchange.
This is different from major competitors like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, which are all publicly traded companies.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.