He will bring his cruise and luxury hospitality expertise to the Switzerland-based line
By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
MSC Cruises has made Michael Ungerer the CEO of its new luxury brand. He will bring his cruise and luxury hospitality expertise to the Switzerland-based line.
Ungerer joins MSC with over 30 years of senior management experience in the area. He will be based out of the line’s global headquarters in Geneva and will report to Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruises business and broader passenger division.
“I am immensely honoured and totally excited about the opportunity this one-of-a-kind, truly outstanding project presents,” said Ungerer. “This crowns my professional career and perfectly complements my luxury hospitality and cruise industry experience. Furthermore, I am extremely proud of working closely with a visionary leader like Pierfrancesco Vago and an iconic shipping family that has been able to build a long-term sustainable business in a people-centered culture over many years with values which I deeply share.”
Earlier this year, MSC ordered four luxury cruise ships worth over €2 billion to be built by Fincantieri shipyard. At approximately 64,000 gt, they will feature the latest in environmental and maritime technologies. They are expected to be delivered one per year from 2023 to 2026.
“I am particularly pleased to make this announcement as it marks a key step forward in the set-up of the organisational structure that will lead the development of our new luxury brand,” said Vago. “For us, this was a natural progression of the work done across our contemporary brand MSC Cruises since its inception, including with the development of our highly-successful premium ship-within-the-ship concept MSC Yacht Club.
“Central to our new luxury brand will be above all respect for the environment – with the introduction of new ground-breaking technologies - as well as innovation in both hardware and experience, two core MSC values that extend to all our business. To this end, Michael – whom I wish to welcome to the broader MSC family - brings to the table precious and deep industry- and luxury-specific experience as well as personal and professional values that are aligned with our own.”