Emerald Cruises announce Senior Management on board Emerald Azzurra

November 23, 2021

With the launch of our first superyacht, Emerald Azzurra, coming in January 2022, we’re delighted to announce appointments for two key on board Senior Management positions – including British Captain, Jonathan Edwards. He will take the helm of Emerald Azzurra in his role as Captain, while Petros Zarpanely will head up the service side of the ship as Hotel Director

Captain

Jonathan Edwards

Captain Jonathan Edwards joins us after nearly 20 years at Holland America Cruise Line where he worked in all ranks from Third Officer to Master. Jonathan has always had close ties with the sea coming from a Naval family and was brought up on the water, sailing Laser boats from a young age before taking part in the challenging Tall Ship Races. In 1998 Jonathan took the next step, enrolling at Warsash Maritime College as a Maritime Cadet. Once qualified Jonathan set sail with the Tall Ships Youth Trust on board the Stavros. S. Niarchos and Prince William, teaching all age groups team building on board the Square-rigged sailing vessels before joining Holland America in 2003. Most recently Captain Jonathan has been sailing on board the Discovery Yacht Scenic Eclipse in Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea.

Captain Jonathan brings a wealth of global navigation experience leading highly professional teams on board modern cruise ships. He has also spent time as a ship handling and bridge resource management instructor.

Captain Jonathan has a true love of sailing within the Mediterranean with all the history and fine food that it has to offer. He loves nothing more than sailing into the picturesque port of Venice with the ability to be fully immersed in its beauty.

Captain Jonathan is just as busy when he’s not at the helm of a cruise ship; returning to the quiet and peaceful countryside of Gloucestershire, England where he resides in a small village with his wife and two young children. Enjoying endless walks through the woods and fields with his most trusted companion Skye, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. In the summer when not playing with the kids you will find him taking on the many golf courses in the local area or enjoying his outdoor kitchen with his family. In winter he enjoys nothing more than spending time with the family on the slopes of the mountains skiing.

Hotel Director

Petros Zarpanely

Petros Zarpanely, originally from London, UK, and currently residing in the South of France, has been in the Cruise Industry for the past 25 years. He was educated at the London Institute, majoring in Hospitality and Hotel Management, and then attended further education with Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne. After spending time working during his studies for a couple of luxury hotels in London, he decided to join a ship at a very young age. He started with one of the largest cruise companies as a bar-waiter in 1994, moving up through Food & Beverage Director ranks in different international companies.

He also worked in various Cruise companies in hotel operations shore-side, managing vessels and recruitment.

The Hotel Department aboard Emerald Azzurra comprises over 68 people and more than 17 different nationalities.

As Hotel Director, Petros is in charge of all hotel services such as Bars; Restaurants; Galley; Hotel Stores; Housekeeping; Laundry; Guest Services; Shore Excursions, Financial, and Entertainment.

With his professional and dedicated team, Petros will do everything to ensure that guests will enjoy a memorable time on board our new superyacht, Emerald Azzurra.