Jonathan Wilson appointed CEO of new luxury Saudi cruise line Aman at Sea

The ultra-luxury hotel brand Aman has announced the appointment of Jonathan Wilson as Chief Executive Officer of Aman at Sea, its upcoming joint venture with Cruise Saudi.

The boutique cruise line will launch a first of its kind luxury cruising motor yacht in 2027, with cruise itineraries scheduled in the Red Sea out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

The cruise line will form the luxury arm of Cruise Saudi’s portfolio, which also includes the mainstream cruise line Aroya, the first cruise line ever to be developed locally for the Arab world.

In a press release, Aman said that Wilson brings more than 20 years experience to the position and will lead the development and implementation of Aman’s first luxury superyacht, working closely with Aman’s Chairman and CEO, Vlad Doronin.

Jonathan will also assemble a dynamic and skilled shoreside and shipboard team, ensuring the vessel and guest experience reflects the level of detail and care characteristic of Aman’s hotels.  

Wilson previously served as Vice President, Customer Experience and Innovation at Hilton Worldwide fro 2019 to 2021, and for 15 years before that held leadership roles with Princess Cruises and Cunard Line, including Vice President positions in Hotel Operations, Product Development and Food and Beverage. 

During his tenure, he led the development of new products, including cruise ships, and completed ambitious refurbishment projects that saw the introduction of new dining and entertainment experiences. 

“His international perspective, coupled with his strong experience in product development and the cruise industry, will enable Jonathan to oversee Aman’s continued expansion and develop a luxury yacht experience that is peerless in every way,” Aman said in a release.

Developed through a joint venture between Aman and Cruise Saudi, the 183 metre (600ft) cruising super yacht designed in partnership with SINOT Yacht Architecture & Design, one of the world’s finest yacht design firms, will feature just 50 spacious luxury suites.

Aman’s eastern heritage and design philosophy will inform the architectural design, which is being built byT.Mariotti S.p.A, a constructor of ultra-luxury yachts and offshore vessels in Italy since 1928.

“Aman has been a pioneer in ultra-luxury hospitality for over 35 years and it is a privilege to be joining the company to lead the development of Aman at Sea – an exciting new endeavor for the visionary brand which will bring the first world-class Aman experience to the world’s oceans, setting a new standard in waterborne voyages,” said Wilson.