Hapag-Lloyd Cruises appoints Danny Giles as Sales Manager for UK & Ireland

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the leading luxury and expedition cruise brand in the German-speaking region, has announced the appointment of Danny Giles as Sales Manager for the UK & Ireland market, reinforcing the brand’s strategic commitment to further expanding its presence across the region. He succeeds James Scott, who previously held the position.

Danny brings more than thirty years of experience in the travel industry, including over two decades in senior sales and commercial roles. Throughout his career, he has held key positions with cruise and travel brands. His extensive industry expertise and strong trade relationships make him a valuable addition to the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises team.

A passionate advocate of expedition cruising, Danny has travelled extensively worldwide, including to both Polar Regions – even swimming in Arctic and Antarctic waters – reflecting his deep personal connection to the sector.

‘We are very pleased to welcome Danny Giles in his new role, where he will focus on strengthening our partnerships with key trade accounts, expanding brand awareness, and driving sustainable growth for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises within the UK and Irish markets. As an expert in the luxury cruise industry, he will also help us sell our unique experiences, making him a real enrichment to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. We are very much looking forward to working with him’, says Clas Eckholt, Vice President Commercial at TUI Cruises.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises boasts a fleet of five exceptional ships. Notably, the vessels have received the prestigious five-star rating from Insight Guides 2025, solidifying the position as the “best fleet worldwide.” The onboard language is both German and English. EUROPA and EUROPA 2, the top luxury ships, form the renowned EUROPA class, offering unparalleled travel experiences with outstanding service, diverse cuisine, and extraordinary global routes. In the expedition sector, the growth trajectory includes three modern ships: HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration (commissioned in 2019), and HANSEATIC spirit (added in 2021). These vessels, equipped with advanced environmental technology like SCR catalysts, operate in polar regions, such as the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as warm-water destinations like the Amazon. Since 2020, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has voluntarily been using low-emission marine gas oil (0.1 percent) throughout the entire fleet. The new expedition class and EUROPA 2 are equipped for shore power use.

Commenting on his appointment, Danny Giles said:

‘I am delighted to join Hapag-Lloyd Cruises at such an exciting stage in the brand’s development. Starting in 2026, all cruises will sail bilingually in German and English. Beyond our already bilingual EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC inspiration, we are opening every one of our award-winning luxury and expedition ships to discerning guests from around the world. The brand’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and delivering truly exceptional guest experiences aligns perfectly with my passion for the luxury and expedition cruise sector. I look forward to working closely with valued trade partners across the UK and Ireland to further strengthen our presence and achieve sustainable growth.’

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries, visit www.hl-cruises.com.

Connect with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on Facebook (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises) and Instagram #Hapaglloydcruises.