Explora Journeys is eager for the trade to hone in on the ‘bleisure’ market, believing it’s an untapped holiday segment ripe for its ultra-luxury cruising offering.
Chris Austin, President of North America for Explora Journeys told trade partners aboard the brand-new EXPLORA II that new audiences would be key for growth, and he believes the bleisure sector has strong potential.
Austin, who was among the first employees of Explora Journeys when the brand came to fruition, told travel partners “we all together need to unlock new guests.”
“We can’t just move a guest from an existing classic, traditional, luxury cruise brand to Explora Journeys. Maybe that’s good in the short term but it’s not sustainable for the long term.”
“We need to find new guests,” he said with transparency.
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Austin was detailing the tweaks between EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II (see below), and highlighting the industry-leading, complimentary wifi solution Explora Journeys offers on board when referring to new audiences and those in the younger demographic who are dependent on being connected.
“Here’s a whole group of younger, affluent travellers out there who may not go cruising because they don’t realise they can be connected. There really is something called “bleisure” in today’s world – a combination of business and leisure.”
“They want to be connected, maybe they are running their own businesses. Six devices per suite – three per person – avoiding logging on and logging off, and the fastest internet at sea,” he said of Explora Journeys’ wifi solution. Every suite aboard Explorer Journeys’ sister ships has its own router, and the cruise line has two internet providers for added security.
“So let’s unlock more new to ocean guests,” Austin encouraged his audience.
Heart and Soul
Austin also used the forum aboard EXPLORA II to laud the trade for their support for Explora Journeys, to date.
He told travel partners they are the “heart and soul” of the industry, adding that the cruise line wouldn’t be in its current position without the support advisors have extended.
“The time is now. We are perhaps the easiest brand to sell because we actually have space,” he continued.
“I’m not shy or humiliated to say we have space. We are one year old, of course we have space.”
With the festive season and Christmas approaching, Austin said clients don’t have to go hunting to find a beautiful hotel room, only to find it sold out, and repeat the process again and again.
“We offer incredible value, we offer this unique, distinctive ultra-luxury resort whose home is the ocean, something that many, many who have never cruised before will fall in love with. That’s repeaters, and that’s good for both of us.
“The time is now. Take advantage or our bold story. Share it with all your clients and lets grow our partnership and brand together.”
Key differences between sisters
While EXPLORA II is fundamentally a carbon copy of EXPLORA I, there are a few subtle changes. “She has her own personality,” Austin said of the tweaks.
That includes different colour palettes in the Astern Lounge, Journeys Lounge and in the Fil Rouge restaurant, “adding a freshness to the space”.
The house champagne is now Mercier instead of Moët & Chandon, also a bespoke French brand from the House of LVMH, while in the restaurant Sakura, the cherry blossoms have switched from pink to white.
In the Explorer Lounge, Prima Cafe and Atoll Poll there are new furnishings. The adult only Helios Pool is designed now in with an Italian outdoor furnishing company.
“We’ve enhanced the wellness and spa area and the lobby now features the first Buccalleti boutique at sea.”
“She holds onto the core and the beauty of EXPLORA I as a true sister,” he said.
Austin also revealed that EXPLORA II would welcome a new chef series that will launch in January with French Chef Thierry Marx, working alongside Explora Journeys’ Head of Culinary, Franck Garanger.
LATTE is aboard EXPLORA II as a guest of Explora Journeys.
