Explora Journeys has launched a third group travel programme designed to increase the number of travel opportunities for extended families or friendship groups.

The new Journey Together Gatherings programme allows passengers under 18 to sail free and free transfers for all guests in a group if the group books three or four suites on one of the luxury line’s ships.

At least one suite in the booking must be an Ocean Penthouse or an Ocean Residence for the group to qualify for the benefits, the new line said.

Cindi Occhuizzo, charter and journey together lead, will head up the groups programmes. In addition to Journey Together Gatherings, Journey Together and Journey Together +.

Each of the three programmes offers various benefits depending on the number suites booked by group.

Industry veteran Occhuizzo has previously worked for Kuoni, Disney Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Vilma Moutsatsos, who brings more than 24 years’ experience to the role, has experience managing luxury travel groups and other large-scale events and will support Occhuizzo.

Chief sales officer Chris Austin said: “I am delighted to welcome Cindi and Vilma to our global charters and incentives team. I know they will be great assets for us in this important market.

“They will work closely with the meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions as we roll out our Journey Together programmes to our luxury travellers.

“Designing our Journey Together Gatherings programme has been a highly collaborative process with the travel advisor community.  We are proud to launch this programme targeting gatherings of friends and multi-generational families.”