Swan Hellenic has hired hospitality and fine dining expert Philipp Reutener as hotel director on the first of three new expedition ships, Minerva.

Swiss-born Reutener was most recently hotel director at Seabourn, mainly cruising the Baltics and Antarctica. 

He has held senior management positions at Norwegian Cruise Line and the MythenForum Schwyz conference and event centre in Switzerland. He also spent six years managing resorts for Amari, Anantara and Sandals in Thailand, the UAE and Jamaica.

Reutener is fluent in Swiss German, French, English, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Thai. 

“We're delighted to have Philipp moulding the hospitality experience aboard SH Minerva, with his immense experience, refined competence and sheer joie de vivre,” said Swan Hellenic’s vice president of hotel operations, Hans Heger.

“We've already been hard at working selecting some very fine wines for the ship's cellar.”

Reutener added: “I'm honoured to have been chosen to help create the extraordinary on-board experience that Swan Hellenic has conceived for SH Minerva, a distinctive combination of comfort, refinement and the highest service standards with the relaxed confidence typical of true connoisseurs.”

Minerva will embark on its maiden cruise in November this year. 

The new ice-class expedition ship will carry 152 passengers in 76 cabins and suites, the majority of which feature balconies. Minerva will be operated by an on board team of 120 crew.