MSC announces senior management for new luxury brand
The new luxury brand of MSC Group’s Cruises Division announced appointments of five senior members of its management team led by CEO Michael Ungerer.
"The leaders of the new brand bring more than 100 years of combined knowledge and expertise in the luxury, hospitality and cruise sectors. Together they will create a luxury and lifestyle travel experience as distinct as it is trailblazing," Ungerer said.
The luxury brand is set to start operating in 2023. The leadership appointments are Chris Austin, as Chief Sales Officer, who was most recently SVP Global Sales and Marketing for four years at Seabourn. He previously worked for nearly 20 years leading sales for luxury brands at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Sarah Doyle is appointed Chief Marketing Officer and was most recently Vice President of Marketing at Bacardi Limited Europe. She also held senior roles at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Thatcher Brown joins as Commercial and Strategic Advisor after serving as President of Dream Cruises and Managing Director of Crystal Cruises Asia for four years.
MSC also named Sacha Rougier as Head of Itinerary Planning and Shore Experience and John Stoll – Destination Experience Advisor.
"As momentum builds towards the reveal of our vision, our top team will continue to grow, with further highly talented and experienced appointments in people, product and culinary roles," Ungerer added.
"We’re getting ready to share our vision of luxury ocean travel with our trade partners.
The first vessel for the luxury brand will be delivered in 2023 from the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, with subsequent deliveries in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The first luxury ship will have a gross tonnage of 63,900 GT and feature 461 suites, all with ocean front balconies or terraces.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025