Quark hires luxury cruise veteran to manage fleet hotel operations

Ponant, Crystal, The World

Pires brings 29 years of experience managing hotel operations on large cruise ships and small expedition vessels. Past jobs were with Ponant and Crystal Cruises, and Pires was part of the small team that launched residential ship The World.

This appointment shows 'how committed we are to ensuring Quark Expeditions guests have the best polar experience possible, both on ship and off ship,' said Malcolm Ellis, SVP operations. 'We’re particularly excited that Mario will be able to call upon his vast hotel operations expertise to develop the on-board amenities, superior dining options and deluxe accommodation on our new vessel Ultramarine.'

Ensuring consistency and sustainability

Pires will work with existing and new providers to ensure a consistent, high-level guest experience by creating a standard for all providers to follow. He's also tasked with ensuring hotel partners’ sustainability and environmental practices are aligned with Quark's 'Polar Promise.'

The Lisbon-born Pires is fluent in French, Spanish, Italian and English, and can function in German and Tagalog — all handy for interacting with Quark's international clientele, expedition teams and crew.

Pires also will draw on his previous experience with newbuilds to play an integral role in the hotel start-up and commissioning activity preceding the 2020 delivery of Ultramarine.