German-based river cruise operator, A-ROSA, has appointed Michael Ungerer as new chairman of the advisory board of the A-ROSA Group with immediate effect.
Most recently the Founding CEO of ultra-luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys, Ungerer will contribute his long and wide-ranging leadership experience in the cruise and the hospitality industry to the company.
Ungerer began his professional career in 1988 with Norwegian Cruise Lines, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, later becoming Senior Vice President of Operations at AIDA Cruises in Rostock in 2004 and then President of AIDA Cruises in 2012. From 2015 to 2018, Ungerer was COO of Asia at Carnival Corporation. Between 2019 and earlier this year, he led the successful start-up and growth of Explora Journeys as CEO.
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The A-ROSA management is delighted to be working with him to consolidate A- ROSA as a market leader and innovation driver in the premium segment of the river cruise industry.“Being nominated as the Chairman of Germany’s leading River Cruise Company is a real honour and a privilege,” Ungerer said of his appointment.
“A-ROSA is a brand I co-created over 20 years ago.”
“Having watched the brand grow and excel despite many challenges, I’m excited to provide strategic guidance and collaborate with executive management, the owners and all stakeholders to strengthen our leadership position and focus on the next sustainable growth phase.”
Current CEO Jörg Eichler, will step down from his position as CEO and Managing Director by mid-2025. He will be joining MSC Cruises as Managing Director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, overseeing both MSC’s cruise operations and that of sister brand, Explora Journeys.
Since joining the company in 2013, A-ROSA has grown from 10 to now 15 ships sailing on the European rivers Danube, Douro, Rhine/Main/Moselle, Rhône, and Seine. Together with the A- ROSA Team, Eichler quickly brought the company back on course for success, enabling A-ROSA to achieve a new sales and occupancy record in 2023, which will be surpassed again in 2024.
The company expects to announce Eichler’s successor soon, who will continue to establish forward-looking concepts for river cruises. Eichler will continue to fulfil his role as managing director until the handover has been successfully concluded. He will remain a shareholder after that. Markus Zoepke, COO and co-partner of the company since 2003, will remain responsible for operations at the Chur site in Switzerland.
