Explora Journeys Taps Jannik Sinner as Global Ambassador
The tennis world No. 1 joins Explora Journeys to co-create onboard wellness experiences.
Jannik Sinner and Anna Nash. Photo: Jason Lowrie/BFA.com
Explora Journeys has officially named world number one tennis player Jannik Sinner its new global brand ambassador, unveiling the partnership Friday evening at New York’s CORE: Club ahead of the U.S. Open. For the MSC-owned luxury ocean line, the collaboration is less about simple celebrity visibility and more about cementing its place in the world of elite sport and wellness.
Anna Nash, global president of Explora Journeys, framed the appointment as “a fresh approach to brand ambassadorship—one rooted in authenticity and shared values rather than simple endorsement.” The tie-in reflects Explora’s broader strategy of aligning with disciplines that embody precision and balance. Earlier this year, the brand moored Explora II in Monaco’s Port Hercule as a floating hotel during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and it will return in 2026.
The Sinner partnership points to an evolving lifestyle positioning for the brand. The 24-year-old Italian is not only lending his name to campaigns but also collaborating on wellness rituals and onboard activations that will be rolled out across the fleet. “He and his team will be working with us behind the scenes to co-create some immersions and some rituals, so you’ll really feel Jannik’s presence infused on the ship,” Nash said during Friday’s event.
Sinner himself connected the role to his own professional mindset. “Tennis is a very interesting sport because you have to show up every day. You don’t win a tournament by winning only one match, but you have to show up for two weeks, and you have to be in good shape—not only the physical shape, but most of the mental shape,” he said. “I would say the most important part is also, as a tennis player, to have a great balance on the court but also off the court.”
That emphasis on balance dovetails with Explora’s “Ocean State of Mind” philosophy, positioning time at sea as a restorative counterweight to high-performance environments. Sinner admitted he has never sailed on the line before, but will step aboard after the U.S. Open. “I’m very happy that in the beginning of September I have a chance to go on a ship to see how it feels, how it is, and I’m very looking forward to it,” he said.
As Sinner begins appearing in tournaments with Explora’s logo on his apparel—and eventually, in curated onboard programs—the partnership gives the cruise line new cultural relevance. More importantly, it provides advisors with a lifestyle-led narrative to share with clients: ocean travel positioned not just as luxury transport, but as a space for balance, renewal, and inspiration.
