Koray Savas has joined Explora Journeys from sister brand MSC Cruises as vice-president of hotel, while Alban Gjoka has been promoted from senior executive chef and culinary manager to vice-president of food and beverage. Both Savas and Gjoka will report into Explora Journeys’ chief executive Michael Ungerer. 

“Koray and Alban both bring extensive experience and skills to our hotel and food and beverage operations respectively and they will add great value to our current ship at sea as well as to the development of the onboard experience for our upcoming five luxury ships,” Ungerer said. 

For the past five years, Savas has worked for MSC Cruises, which included a stint at the company’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. He spent two years as brand performance director, overseeing hotel operations and guest experience.

Gjoka joined Explora Journeys in early 2022 as senior lead culinary operation.