Seven Seas Explorer®, the most luxurious ship ever built, will set sail on her inaugural season in the glamourous Mediterranean with a senior leadership team who will ensure guests sailing this magnificent vessel enjoy the pinnacle of luxury.
Meet Seven Seas Explorer’s leadership team:
Captain Stanislas
“Stan” De Lacombe
Captain Stanislas “Stan” De Lacombe is responsible for commanding the overall operation, crew and safety of Seven Seas Explorer. He has more than 20 years of seafaring experience, and has captained both Seven Seas Mariner® and Seven Seas Navigator® since joining Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2009. A native of Nantes, France, Captain De Lacombe became enamored with the sea at an early age, and has extensive leadership experience on ferries, container ships and several commercial cruises lines.
General Manager
Franck Galzy
General Manager Franck Galzy is responsible for overseeing the flawless delivery of hotel and food & beverage services for Seven Seas Explorer guests. After graduating from the CAFA Sommelier Wine School in Angers, France, General Manager Galzy expanded upon his hospitality expertise at the famous Crabwall Manor Hotel & Spa in the United Kingdom for two years. Since joining Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 1999, he has worked in a variety of roles including head waiter, head sommelier, provision master and food & beverage manager. General Manager Galzy has maintained the General Manager position for the past six years and coordinated a number of special events during some of the line’s most spectacular voyages, including Navigate the World and circumnavigation of South America cruises.
Cruise Director
Ray Solaire
Cruise Director Ray Solaire oversees all entertainment and activities aboard Seven Seas Explorer. Cruise Director Solaire has performed on cruise lines for more than 40 years and is a talented singer, puppeteer, comedian and ventriloquist. He joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2008 and has served as Cruise Director aboard all of our ships.
Chief Engineer
Luca Griggi
Chief Engineer Luca Griggi is responsible for overseeing Seven Seas Explorer’s technical operations, including engineering, electrical, and mechanical functions. A native of Genoa, Italy, Chief Engineer Griggi joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2012 and has over 30 years of maritime engineering experience – in the Italian Coast Guard, aboard tugboats and supply vessels, and on cruise ships.
Executive Chef
Aurelien Dumeylet
Executive Chef Aurelien Dumeylet will supervise all aspects of the menu and food preparation for Seven Seas Explorer’s multitude of gourmet dining options, including its dramatic new Pan-Asian specialty restaurant, Pacific Rim, and new French restaurant, Chartreuse. A native of Limoges, France, he developed a passion for the culinary arts at a young age and has served aboard the ships of Regent Seven Seas Cruises since 2007. Previously, he was chef saucier in the famous international Hotel Martinez in Cannes.
In addition to our expert leadership team, Seven Seas Explorer’s highly-trained staff and crew members will also focus on providing guests with the absolute highest level of personal service.
Chartreuse Chef de Cuisine Jérôme Toumelin
The former chef of the Hotel Sofitel in Versailles and executive chef of Market Restaurant in Paris, Chartreuse Chef de Cuisine Toumelin has worked alongside world-renowned chefs and restaurateurs, such as Alain Ducasse, Jacques et Laurent Pourcel, Raita Noda, and Jean George. He now brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to personally oversee the exceptional French dishes served in Chartreuse aboard Seven Seas Explorer.
Executive Concierge Odul Uzunali
A passionate hospitality professional, Executive Concierge Uzunali began her career in famed, luxury hotels in California before returning to her native Turkey, where she also worked at five-star hotels across Istanbul. She joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2011 as Executive Concierge across the fleet. This summer, Executive Concierge Uzunali will be part of the stellar staff aboard Seven Seas Explorer, ensuring that the guest experience is flawless.
Chief Housekeeper Rose-Mary Camus
Chief Housekeeper Rose-Mary Camus has served the guests aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises for more than a decade, beginning as a Suite Steward and then climbing the ranks all the way to her current position, where she has served in this leadership role across the fleet. Aboard Seven Seas Explorer she will oversee the entire housekeeping staff.
Restaurant Manager David Dos Santos
Fluent in five languages, Restaurant Manager Dos Santos joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises as Maitre D’ in 2011, and, in three years, he ascended the ranks to become Restaurant Manager. This summer he will be charged with overseeing the operations of all five restaurants aboard Seven Seas Explorer.
Cruise Consultant Gudrun Werner
An 18-year veteran of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, there is no better expert in planning and detailing future cruises than Cruise Consultant Gudrun Werner. She also has the distinct honor of overseeing the Seven Seas Society® program on board, including hosting special events for loyal guests. She was part of the launch of Seven Seas Navigator®and Seven Seas Mariner®, and will also be a part of history during the inaugural season of Seven Seas Explorer.
Seven Seas Explorer will set sail on her maiden voyage on July 20, 2016.