Boston & Vancouver, February 2018 – In preparation of the maiden voyage of the world’s first Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse, Scenic has filled four key operational positions.
- Hans Heger – General Manager Operations, Scenic Discovery Yachts: assumes responsibility for all operations relating to the Scenic Eclipse fleet;
- Guillermo Muro – Culinary Director: will oversee the menu development across the 10 on board dining experiences, as well as manage operations for the ship’s extensive culinary department in conjunction with V Ships (ship management company);
- Frederik Ekelund – Hotel Director: will be responsible for managing Scenic Eclipse’s onboard operations;
- Sonja Altmann – Operations Manager: will oversee all shore-based guest operations, including shore excursions and supplier relationships.
Scenic Group Founder and Chairman, Glen Moroney, welcomed the team to their roles. “Hans and his team bring exceptional luxury ocean cruising experience which will be of immense value as we prepare for the August launch of Scenic Eclipse.” Adding, “With the build of the first Scenic Eclipsenearing completion, the appointments within this senior team will ensure we deliver a truly world-class, 6-star luxury cruise experience for our guests.”
Heading up the Discovery Yacht team as General Manager Operations, Scenic Discovery Yachts, Hans Heger will oversee the marine, technical and hotel services provided by partners such as V Ships, as well as overall management of the operational teams. This position reports directly to Glen Moroney.
Mr Heger said: “Scenic Eclipse will set new standards in the market as we deliver the highest level of ultra-luxury and discovery experience to our guests. This is a unique opportunity and I am honored to contribute to the success of this new ocean-going adventure that Scenic has embarked on.”
Bios
General Manager Operations, Scenic Discovery Yachts – Hans Heger has more than 20 years of experience in both ocean and river cruise operations, including an extensive career at V Ships in various management capacities. During his tenure at V Ships, Hans headed up the company’s hotel operations, oversaw the development of a new culinary operation and established a training center to support the new culinary activity. Hans was then hired by Silversea Cruises to oversee the cruise line’s hotel operations, before returning for a further tenure at V Ships. In 2015, he departed to set up a consultancy business specializing in cruise ship operations and mega yacht new build projects.
Culinary Director – Guillermo Muro joins Scenic following an extensive career in ocean cruising. Most recently he was employed by Seabourn as Corporate Chef responsible for a team of 410 chefs across the fleet, with a focus on the cruise line’s partnership with three-Michelin star chef Thomas Keller.
Hotel Director – Frederik Ekelund is an experienced hotelier who has spent the past 20 years in various management roles across the leisure, travel and tourism industries, including project management positions with Regent Seven Seas, the position of Hotel Manager for Hurtigruten, and senior roles at three hotels and a major Scandinavian shopping center.
Operations Manager – Sonja Altmann has previous experience working with Scenic as a Cruise Director on Scenic Space-Ships in France and Europe. She has more than 15 years’ experience in guest relations, crew recruitment and training and destination services across the cruise and hotel sectors.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has grown over its 31-year history to include award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours that take participants to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations; two award-winning river cruise lines – Scenic and Emerald Waterways; and the world’s first Discovery Yachts – Scenic Eclipse in 2018 and a sister ship in 2020. Award-winning Emerald Waterways’ seven Star Ships offer deluxe cruises in Europe, and the Mekong, while Scenic’s 15 Space-Ships offer truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in the same destinations as well as the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar and the Volga River in Russia.
Additional information on these and other cruises, brochures and reservations can be obtained via travel agents; or in the US: www.scenicusa.com; phone 844-788-7985; or email: [email protected]: and in Canada: www.scenic.ca; phone (866) 689-8611; or email: [email protected]. Brochures can also be downloaded directly from the website.