Scenic Group has strengthened its global leadership team by appointing cruise industry heavyweight Sture Myrmell as Chief Operating Officer and welcoming hospitality technology specialist Riko van Santen as Chief Information Officer, with both appointments coming as the company enters one of the most ambitious fleet-growth periods of its 40-year history.
Based at Scenic Group’s office in Zug, Switzerland, Myrmell will oversee global operations across the Scenic and Emerald Cruises portfolios, spanning luxury river and ocean cruising as well as land journeys.
It is a sizeable brief, but hardly unfamiliar waters for a cruise executive whose career has included senior roles with Cunard, Seabourn, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia. Myrmell later served as President of Carnival Australia and Carnival UK, Chief Operating Officer at Journey Beyond and, most recently, President of AROYA Cruises.
His experience spans operations, commercial strategy, guest experience and market development, giving Scenic an operator with considerable big-ship and international leadership credentials at a time when the Group is adding capacity across rivers and oceans.
“Scenic Group has built an exceptional reputation for innovation, quality and delivering truly memorable travel experiences,” Myrmell said.
“I am delighted to be joining the business at such an exciting time and look forward to working with our global teams to build on this strong foundation. There is a significant opportunity to further strengthen operational excellence while continuing to deliver the elevated guest experiences that define Scenic Group’s brands.”
For Scenic Group Founder and Chairman Glen Moroney, the appointment is another piece in a much larger growth puzzle.
“Sture is one of the most experienced and highly respected leaders in the global cruise industry,” Moroney said. “His depth of operational expertise, commercial acumen and proven ability to lead international teams will be invaluable as Scenic Group continues to expand its luxury yacht and river cruise portfolio.
“His appointment, alongside the recent addition of Riko van Santen as our new Chief Information Officer, significantly strengthens our executive leadership team. Together, these appointments reflect our continued investment in the people, capability and innovation required to support the next stage of Scenic Group’s global growth.”
Technology Takes a Bigger Seat at the Table
Van Santen brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience in technology and digital transformation across hospitality. Formerly Chief Information Officer at Kempinski Hotels, he will lead Scenic Group’s technology strategy, including digital innovation, cybersecurity, data-led decision-making and systems designed to support future business growth.
For a cruise company expanding both its physical fleet and global footprint, the timing is significant. New ships may attract the headlines, but technology increasingly sits behind almost every part of the guest and trade experience from booking and customer data to onboard systems, cybersecurity and operational efficiency.
In other words, Scenic is not simply putting more ships in the water; it is also strengthening the digital engine room behind them.
Fleet Expansion Gathers Pace
The appointments come as Scenic Group advances a substantial expansion program across Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours.
The 2026 additions include Emerald Kaia, the latest luxury yacht in the Emerald fleet, and Emerald Astra, the newest Emerald Star-Ship, which is operating on the Rhine, Main and Danube river system.
The pace increases again in 2027. Emerald Lumi is scheduled to debut on France’s Seine River, while Emerald Nova will launch on Portugal’s Douro River in June. Scenic Aria will follow on the Douro in September.
At sea, Emerald Raiya is also due to join Emerald Cruises in 2027, further expanding the brand’s luxury yacht portfolio.
Scenic is separately preparing Scenic Aura for a new India and Sri Lanka program from late 2027. The boutique vessel, previously deployed on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River, is being redesigned ahead of its inaugural season on India’s Hooghly River, where it will form the river-cruise component of a broader collection of land and cruise journeys.
Then comes 2028.
Scenic Spirit II is scheduled to join the Mekong River fleet in early 2028, expanding the Group’s presence in Vietnam and Cambodia. Emerald Xara will extend Emerald’s luxury yacht reach into Asia and Australia, while Scenic Ikon is scheduled to launch in April 2028.
Scenic Ikon’s maiden season will span the Mediterranean, Aegean, Africa and Antarctica, adding another ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht to a fleet increasingly designed to move Scenic beyond its traditional river-cruising heartland.
Building the Ships and the Strategy
Underlying that expansion is Scenic Group’s vertically integrated model. Through its specialist shipbuilding division, MKM Yachts, the company brings ship design and construction expertise in-house while retaining control over the guest product it ultimately operates.
That combination of leadership, technology and shipbuilding capability gives Scenic more control than many travel businesses enjoy over the machinery of growth literally and figuratively.
Forty years after Glen Moroney founded the business, Scenic Group is entering its next chapter with a considerably larger fleet, a wider geographic footprint and two new senior executives charged with making sure the operation keeps pace.
For a company built around journeys, the message is fitting enough: Scenic has plotted the course. Now it has put experienced hands on the bridge.
By: John Alwn-Jones – © 2026.
Read Time: 4 minutes.
Author Bio:
John Alwyn-Jones is one of those rare figures who can make the business of travel sound positively adventurous.
A lifelong communicator with the polish of a broadcaster and the curiosity of a journalist, he’s spent decades shaping stories and strategies across tourism, aviation, and the cruise world. He’s led from the front as CEO, director, mentor, and advisor, and still brings warmth and wit to every boardroom and microphone.
Known for his sharp insight into global cruise lines and destinations, John has an old-school belief in professionalism, tempered with the sparkle of someone who’s genuinely seen the world. He’s not just in the business of travel; he’s made it an art form.
