Peter Szyszka Named Director of Expedition for American Queen Voyages™ for Ocean Victory™ Inaugural Alaska Season
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Jan. 11, 2022 – American Queen Voyages™, part of Hornblower® Group, announces Peter Szyszka to lead all expedition experiences as Director of Expedition for the cruise line. Bringing extensive expedition expertise to the highly anticipated inaugural Alaska season of Ocean Victory™, Szyszka will oversee a seasoned expedition team with both unique expedition experience around the globe and in the most intimate territories of Alaska. He will closely collaborate with the American Queen Voyages’ award-winning shore excursions team, Ocean Victory officers and crew and California Polytech University researchers exclusively onboard.
“Alaska is the ultimate destination for adventure travelers yearning to experience an expedition cruise and get up close and personal to its breathtaking nature and cultural experiences,” said Peter Szyszka, director of expedition, American Queen Voyages. “Our expedition programming, paired with the innovation and the technology of the new Ocean Victory will showcase Alaska in a very special way.
Peter Szyszka adds over two decades of experience to the team leading expeditions across the globe including over 60 journeys in Antarctica. He brings a unique knowledge of the new Ocean Victory vessel, overseeing the 2019 build and fit-out of expedition areas of the Greg Mortimer, a sister vessel featuring a unique X-Bow design. Szyszka has played a key role in program development and delivery for multiple leading expedition brands. Also, an expert divemaster and Zodiaccaptain trainer, he has overseen kayaking, snorkeling, diving, expedition landings, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, mountaineering and even photography programs throughout his career.
“Investing in top talent continues to be a priority at American Queen Voyages and the addition of Peter Szyszka further illustrates our commitment to bringing in leaders that share our passion to deliver amazing experiences,” shares Shawn Bierdz, chief operation officer of American Queen Voyages. “I look forward to Ocean Victory guests experiencing our expeditions led by Peter and his team and creating encounter travel moments in Alaska this summer.”
Created for intimate access with an innovative X-Bow design, the vessel sails 12 and 13-day journeys through the less-traveled regions of Alaska’s Inside Passage led by a seasoned expedition team. Like-minded explorers will deploy kayaks and Zodiacs with expedition guides, view wildlife from sliding observation platforms, witness marine research by California Polytech University students in real-time and have engaging discussions with First Nation leaders. Accommodating only 186 guests, the focus of the expedition program is exploring Alaska up close.
The brand new, expedition ship Ocean Victory will sail between Vancouver, B.C. and Sitka, Alaska on 13-day journeys and feature ports of call that larger ships cannot access, including Baranof Island’s eastern coast. Ports of call include: a pre-cruise hotel stay in Vancouver, B.C.; Canadian Inside Passage; Fiordland (Kynoch Inlet); Ketchikan/Metlakatla; Misty Fjords National Monument; Wrangell/Stikine River Wilderness; Waterfall Coast/Baranof Wilderness; Petersburg/Le Conte Glacier; Tracy Arm/Endicott Glacier; Kake/Frederick Sound/Five Finger; and Sitka, Alaska. Sailings available in May; June; July; Aug.; and Sept. 2022.
My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion
