CHICAGO – Haimark has named Hans Rood, a travel and cruise industry executive with more than 25 years of global cruise and travel experience, to oversee all aspects of its rapidly developing small ship cruise brands.

“Hans has served in key executive management positions at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Royal Caribbean, Cunard/Seabourn, Holland America, Hurtigruten, and FleetPro passenger ship management. His strong management, travel industry and cruise orientation, coupled with his award-winning development of sales strategies, branding and global sales and marketing efforts, make him uniquely suited to ensure the rapid growth of our distinctive Haimark river and ocean cruise programs in the Far East, Amazon, Great Lakes and Central and South America,” said Tom Markwell, Managing Partner, Sales & Marketing, on behalf of the Haimark ownership team.

The combined fleet of Haimark exceeds nine river and ocean ships, each accommodating a maximum of just 24 up to 210 guests. These ships sail under various brands, with Haimark managing the highest quality brand standards.

The company will launch three new ships in May, September and October: 

• Haimark Line, dedicated to soft adventure luxury coastal expedition cruising in North, Central and South America, will launch the 105-cabin MS Saint Laurent on May 30 for its “ Historic Saint Lawrence River and America's Five Great Lakes” inaugural sailing with a 9-night itinerary from Montreal to Chicago
• Haimark Ltd., a five-star all-suite luxury river expedition cruise line, will launch RV Mekong Princess in September 2015 for 7-night itineraries along the Mekong River in Cambodia and the Vietnam delta. The first-ever Spa-focused small river expedition cruise ship will feature just 12 suites, extensive spa cuisine options, daily morning yoga and tai chi, signature spa experiences and active daily excursions
• Haimark Ltd. will also launch the RV Amazon Discovery with 22 river view suites and the Rainforest Spa in October 2015 for 6-night explorations along the Peruvian Amazon, with itineraries that offer Zodiac excursions in the company of biodiversity experts. During his diverse career, Rood has lived in London, Oslo, New York and Miami. Born and raised in The Netherlands, Hans earned a master's degree from the University of Amsterdam as well as an MBA from New York University and is fluent in several languages.

About Haimark Line 
Based in Denver, Colorado with Sales, Marketing and Operations offices in Chicago, Illinois, Haimark Line combines comfort and luxury with the undeniable thrill of exploration aboard small ship coastal expedition cruises in North, Central & South America. Sailing with no more than 210 guests and an expert crew of 90, Haimark Lines maiden vessel, the MS Saint Laurent, will spend the summer of 2015 cruising Americas Five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Atlantic Coast. In the fall, the MS Saint Laurent will reposition to the warm waters of Central & South America, with itineraries that include: The Heart of Central America via the Panama Canal; Natural Splendors of the Esoteric Caribbean; The Mysterious and Unknown Orinoco River; and Coastal Central & South American during the Whale Migration. www.haimarkline.com

Haimark Line is the sister company to Haimark Ltd, a luxury river cruise operator and destination management company that offers unique and enriching river cruise journeys in Vietnam & Cambodia, Myanmar, India, and the Peruvian Amazon. www.haimarktravel.com.