Explora Journeys Names Lara Koslow North America President

The cruise line appoints a veteran consultant to lead its North American division starting late this year.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cruises

Isometric editorial illustration of a brass compass resting on a desk, representing corporate leadership and navigation in the travel industry. — Explora Journeys has appointed Lara Koslow as North America president, effective November 30, 2026, to oversee regional luxury fleet expansion. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Explora Journeys has named Lara Koslow as its new president for North America. She will take over the leadership position on November 30, 2026, transitioning from her tenure as a managing director at the Boston Consulting Group.

Why it matters

This leadership change comes as the company prepares for a significant expansion of its luxury fleet. The move signals a strategic shift to leverage corporate consulting expertise to oversee its regional growth and upcoming vessel launches.

Lara Koslow brings over 20 years of tenure from the Boston Consulting Group to her new role. The MSC Group-owned line is also preparing for the 2027 arrival of its fourth and fifth vessels, the Explora IV and Explora V.

The players

Lara Koslow

She is the incoming president for North America at Explora Journeys and previously served as a senior partner at Boston Consulting Group.

Chris Austin

He is the current president of Explora Journeys who is moving to a new role leading luxury travel partnerships.

Explora Journeys

This luxury cruise line is owned by the MSC Group and is currently expanding its global fleet.

The details

Lara Koslow replaces Chris Austin, who will shift focus to the company's luxury travel partnerships. In his new capacity, Austin will specifically oversee the firm's trade sales and trade marketing operations.

Lara Koslow begins her role as president on November 30, 2026.
Explora Journeys will launch two new ships in 2027.

Travel Outlook

This appointment aligns with the industry-wide push to capture market share within the luxury cruise sector through expanded fleets and specialized offerings. The move reflects a broader trend of cruise lines diversifying into river and expedition cruising to reach new traveler demographics.

Travelers interested in the cruise line can expect continued focus on high-end service as the company prepares to grow its fleet in 2027. Prospective passengers should watch for upcoming booking information regarding the new Explora IV and Explora V vessels.

The takeaway

The addition of a long-term strategy consultant to the executive team suggests a data-driven approach to future market expansion. Travelers should look for updated service offerings as the company integrates its upcoming luxury river and ocean vessels.