Swan Hellenic, the resurgent expedition cruise line, said it has appointed Hans Heger as Vice President of Hotel Operations.

As a luxury cruise hospitality expert, he brings historic insight and track record as innovator to cultural expedition cruise pioneers, the company said.

“Hans’ operational experience reads like a roster of cruise leaders and innovators - from Abercrombie & Kent, Club Med, Harmony, Pearl, Phoenix Reisen and Seven Seas to Scenic, Silversea and Royal Viking Line - unquestionably making him a safe pair of hands. But he’s also much more,” the company said in a statement.

Heger also worked for Swan Hellenic in the 1990s, when it introduced its first purpose built ship, the 12,500 gross ton Minerva that entered service in 1996 and which is no longer used as a cruise vessel.

“We are over the moon to welcome Hans on board. He brings outstanding high-end hospitality expertise and creative flair to our vision for an entirely unique guest experience,” explained Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito.

Heger commented: “I am delighted to join the dynamic team bringing the Swan Hellenic vision of five-star cultural expedition cruising to life across a truly exciting new fleet. It’s a pleasure to return to this iconic pioneer with such a tremendous opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind lifestyle on board.”

Swan Hellenic was acquired by investors from the Canada based Gap Adventures group earlier this year. It has three expedition vessels on order at the Helsinki Shipyard in Finland.It had no operations during the time Gap Adventurs owned the company.