Swan Hellenic has announced the appointment of experienced guide and lecturer Pierre Thomas as its director of expedition operations.
Thomas’ 26-plus years’ experience has seen him gain qualifications that range from naturalist guide and dive guide to expedition leader.
He has led expeditions on the water, underwater and overland by motorbike, and lectures in five languages on topics as varied as tropical fish, African history, the Panama Canal and Central American Post-World War II politics.
Thomas’ extensive expedition cruise experience has seen him work with companies such as Linblad Expeditions, Metropolitan Touring, Noble Caledonia, and Silversea Cruises.
Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito said the recently relaunched cruise line was excited to welcome Thomas aboard.
“With his tremendous experience and strong relationships with international experts in their fields, nobody could be better placed to ensure our guests enjoy a unique cultural expedition experience, both on- and off-board, that truly befits Swan Hellenic’s pioneering heritage,” Zito said.
Commenting on his appointment, Thomas said: “I’m delighted to join the dynamic team bringing the Swan Hellenic vision of cultural expedition cruising to life across a tremendous new five-star fleet.
“I look forward to contributing to the creation of a truly unique discovery experience – geographical, scientific, natural, cultural, and artistic.”
Thomas’ appointment comes not long after that of Hans Heger, who joined Swan Hellenic late last month as its vice president of hotel operations.
The British cruise line was reborn in September, having pioneered cultural expedition cruising in the 1950s.
Swan Hellenic will welcome to new five-star polar PC5 ice-class expedition cruise ships arriving in November 2021 and April 2022.
Each ship will each accommodate 152 guests in 76 cabins and suites, the majority with large balconies.
A larger P6 ice-class vessel accommodating 192 guests in 96 cabins and suites will be arriving towards the end of 2022.
