Explora Journeys' chief executive hasn’t ruled out further expansion after adding to more ship orders to the brand’s fleet.

The line added two more ships to its order books earlier this month, taking the line to six ships in the pipeline; the first of which is set to be delivered next year.

Speaking at an Aspire Executive Dinner, chief executive Michael Ungerer said the brand had other projects afoot and wouldn’t rule out further expansion.

“We have a few other projects in the pipeline, and you never know what can happen. We’re working on lots of things,” he said.

Ungerer said the brand had the ability to be more agile than most in the space because it is privately owned. He said this was proven by the fact that the brand was able to halt work on ships three and four and change them to LNG powered and add in some additional top end suites. The latter of which was done in response to the positive sales for the higher categories onboard the first ship, which is currently the only one of the six on order to be on sale. 

Ungerer stressed that the line’s latest announcement around the sustainable features of ships five and six reflected the brand’s “long term strategy and greener agenda”. 

Explora V and VI will feature a new generation of LNG engines that will tackle issues of methane slip and will be equipped with industry first environmental technologies and solutions, including a containment system for liquid hydrogen that will enable them to use this low-carbon fuel.

Ungerer said sustainability was core to the business strategy and is determined to “leave the world in a better place than we found it”.

“It’s not just about emissions for us, this is something that is woven into the core of our brand. We have a big responsibility to the planet, especially in the luxury space. Sustainability is the new craftmanship. It’s not about a certification, it’s so important and we put our money where our mouth is when it comes to sustainability.”

When asked what was appealing about the role at Explora Journeys, Ungerer said he was enticed to work on a start-up with a family at the helm who have a “very long view on things with a very strong sustainability agenda which is very specific and clear in its objectives”.

“We are doing something for the next generation and not just for us,” he added.

Explora Journeys won’t compete with other luxury brands, Ungerer said, but will instead find it’s “own space to satisfy needs and demands that haven’t yet been satisfied”.

“Being different for the sake of being different doesn’t work for anyone,” he said. “That’s why I don’t see others in the cruise space as competition, I see them as market participants. They’ve done a lot to grow the industry but the opportunity is to attract the millions who haven’t cruised before. Everyone needs to grow their guest space and get a bigger piece of the pie. There’s no point in ordering six ships if your strategy was to compete with incumbents. You have to find your own space and satisfy needs and demands that haven’t yet been satisfied.”