We are pleased to share with you some of the exciting programming we have planned for your epic World Cruise aboard Seven Seas Mariner® departing January 6, 2024 from Miami. The information below includes bios on the officers and crew who will be welcoming you aboard, the robust roster of guest entertainers and speakers who will accompany you on your journey, and the exciting details of the gala evening which will kick off World Cruise 2024 in style!
On behalf of the Captains and crew of Seven Seas Mariner, we look forward to welcoming you aboard and making this your most memorable voyage yet.
Captain Aivo Palm was born in beautiful Tallinn, Estonia on the shores of the Baltic Sea. At the age of 18, he became a cadet at the Marine Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, then began his career as an Officer, working his way up to the helm as Captain in 1999. He joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises in June of 2012 as First Officer aboard Seven Seas Voyager®, later serving as Staff Captain of Seven Seas Navigator® and Seven Seas Voyager from February 2013 until September 2017. He is now honored to have command of the elegant Seven Seas Mariner. Captain Palm is also a proud father of 18-year-old twin boys and loves sailing and traveling, even when not at work.
From the small city of Imperia, on the Ligurian coast of Italy, Massimo first came to the cruise line industry after a degree with honors in Foreign Languages and Literature at the University of Genoa, and an MBA at the International University of Monaco. Massimo joined the Regent family over ten years ago and was involved with the startup of Seven Seas Explorer. Among the beautiful ports that Regent visits, Massimo has his favorites: Portofino in the Mediterranean, Tauranga in New Zealand, and Hong Kong in China. While he loves all Regent ships, his first assignment was on Mariner and, as they say, you never forget your first love. When home, Massimo enjoys playing paddle tennis with friends.
General Manager Franck Galzy is responsible for overseeing the flawless delivery of hotel and food & beverage services. After graduating from the CAFA Sommelier Wine School in Angers, France, he began his career at the famous Crabwall Manor Hotel & Spa in the UK. Franck Joined Regent in 1999, where he quickly made his way through the ranks. Franck became Regent’s youngest General Manager in 2009, and has maintained the position for 11 years. He has coordinated many special events during some of the line’s most spectacular voyages. Franck was part of the build team for Seven Seas Explorer® - The most luxurious ship ever built; and has now launched Seven Seas Splendor® - Luxury Perfected.
Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, John Ekin calls charming Savannah, Georgia, home. John has long combined a passion for travel with his love of magic, which started as a hobby and became a vocation. He became enamored with traveling the world in school when, as an exchange student, he used magic to make friends while studying in Argentina. John enjoyed a successful career as a corporate entertainer, eventually performing for many years at Walt Disney World. He was honored to make over 30 Command Performances at the White House for four presidents. John is captivated by the quality and style offered by Regent Seven Seas Cruises and dedicates himself to applying his talents as Cruise Director, where he is delighted to meet guests and share his enthusiasm for world travel.
Staff Captain Ivan was born and raised in Varna, Bulgaria. He served in the Bulgarian Navy in 1997 and soon realized that he was destined for a life at sea. He began his professional Mariner’s career in 1998 working on on cargo ships as an able seaman. Later he studied in the United Kingdom and graduated in 2009. Ivan has been a part of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises family since 2009, beginning his journey as a First Officer. He is married and has two children: Stefania and Martin. Ivan has also two dogs - Yorkies. When he is on vacation, he spends his time traveling around Bulgaria with his family. Ivan’s favorite place is always the one he has never visited before.
As a Chief Engineer aboard Seven Seas Mariner, Germain’s job is, quite literally, to keep the ship sailing smoothly. After finishing his maritime studies in 1992, with both licenses in Deck and Engine, he was employed as Engineer Officer and Deck Officer on various merchant ships, and later on particular transportation of the European space booster rocket “Ariane” from Europe to French Guyana launching base. In 1999, he was employed for 2 years by the French Maritime Classification Society, Bureau Veritas, as Principal Surveyor, in Saint Nazaire. In 2001, he got the opportunity to work for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises on the new building project of Seven Seas Mariner in Saint Nazaire. When not at sea, his great passion is to spend time at home with his wife and son in southern France near Monaco.
This high-energy world-renowned rockabilly band kicks off the World Cruise! Join stars from the US national tour of the hit Broadway musical THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY as they celebrate the music of Buddy Holly and rock and roll.
Get ready to laugh with “The Most Famous, Non-Famous Comedian” Troy Thirdgill! Troy has been featured on Showtime's Young Comedians’ special, NBC's Friday Night Videos, In Living Color, Martin, Beverly Hills 90210, and more.
She is the voice of Tiffany & Co. and Rolex and has performed for several world leaders and presidents. Jenene has opened for The Beach Boys, sung with the band Chicago, and headlined at the White House. Her voice has been compared to Celine Dion and Sarah Brightman.
With soaring vocals, piano showman Beven has a unique ability to sing effortlessly across the genres. From Sinatra, Musical Theatre to Beatles, Queen and everything between, Beven will put you in the perfect state of mind for Australia and beyond.
This triple threat of a music act entwines virtuosic playing with high-fashion class and explosive energy in modern music arrangements. This elegant group of musicians has both conquered the world of classical music and has played with stars from Bruce Springsteen and Hugh Jackman.
Sail into Asia with Malaysia’s most sought-after magician. His shows have often been referred to as "something entirely different from what others are doing,” fusing magic acts with thought-provoking messages and inspiring poems.
They are one of the UK’s greatest tributes to Sir Elton John, and other icons. The trio will captivate with their award-winning show celebrating Frankie Valli and dazzle with a “backstage” look at their Broadway/West End careers. Each show will be a fun-filled, charming night of entertainment.
These best friends and tap wonders have been seen in numerous UK & and international tours including the world-renowned SPIRIT OF THE DANCE. The Tap Step Brothers will take you across various time periods and styles, from Astaire and Tap Dogs, to the Rat Pack and Riverdance!
Critically acclaimed young singers with established international solo careers come together, bringing wide experience in large productions and major opera houses with such companies as Glyndebourne Festival Opera, ENO, Opera North and Welsh National Opera.
As you sail through the Mediterranean, enjoy the multiple award-winning shows of Spanish magician and mime Ruben Vilagrand. His unique and modern approach combining mime, magic, and comedy, coupled with a consistent atmosphere of fantasy, is sure to amaze!
Spend an enchanting evening with West End star Phillip Browne. Phillip started his career in THE LION KING. He went on to perform in many West End shows including JESUS CHRIST SUPSERSTAR, SHOW BOAT, ANYTHING GOES, PORGY & BESS, PIAF, CHESS and RAGTIME.
Direct from London’s West End, The Other Guys combine show-stopping vocals, slick dance moves, charisma and charm to deliver an evening of world-class entertainment offering their four internationally recognized shows.
This “modern day Victor Borge” is a one-man tour de force, an all-around entertainer capable of touching the heart as well as inducing playful, sidesplitting laughter and fun. His talents have been recognized around the globe, with three Grammy nominations and voted the number one performer on the high seas.
Dr. Ainslie Waldron has written books on travel and business and has a fascination for the private lives of well-known geniuses such as Einstein. She is retired from international business consultancy and working in the world of aid to developing countries. She has many stories to tell of her international adventures.
Brian Unger caught the travel bug in his 20s while living and working in Europe. This led to a 30-year career teaching courses in Comparative Civilizations and European History. Brian highlights many of his adventures as the creator and host of his popular Snapshots from Europe Travelogue podcast.
Carol Baxter, the “history detective,” is an internationally acclaimed author and a dynamic storyteller who tells true tales of murder, mystery and mayhem. As she immersed herself in the world of the crooks and conmen of colonial Australia, she discovered the story of a delicious political sex scandal that contributed to the governor’s recall. Two of her true historical crime thrillers are being turned into TV series.
For 35 years he was a psychiatric nurse, a child protection social worker and a senior manager in Youth Justice and Child Care. Terry has led groups of walkers/explorers across many of the battlefields of Europe and has explored historic sites in the United States, Africa and beyond. He has trekked the foothills of the Himalayas, ventured across the Namib Desert and driven relief supplies from England to Belarus after Chernobyl.
Dr. Plourd’s holds a degree in marine sciences from Pepperdine University and his MD from UCLA and has spent nearly thirty years of amazing, daring, up-close, and first-hand encounters with sea life. Given his joyful and curious nature and his zest and talent for teaching, guests will find themselves drawn in by his dramatic images and riveting commentary.
Jennifer Eremeeva is an American expatriate writer, historian, and cruise ship enrichment lecturer based in Riga, Latvia. She explores the intersections of travel, history, culture, and cuisine and culinary history. Her work has been featured on NPR, Reuters, AAA Magazine, Bucket List Travels, Fodor’s Travel, Russian Life, Trip Savvy, Elysian Magazine, and other publications.
Stuart Hendin is an accomplished lawyer and academic with extensive experience teaching/training senior officers of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as members of various African militaries preparing to deploy on UN peacekeeping operations. He served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. He has lectured at the NATO school in Oberammergau Germany and has served as an advisor in justice sector reform in Afghanistan.
Celebrity chef/author Paulette Mitchell, the author of 14 cookbooks, is known internationally for quick-to-prepare, multicultural, gourmet recipes. Several of Paulette’s cookbooks received Gourmand World Media Awards.
Warren Fahey is an internationally recognized cultural historian, prolific author, and broadcaster — and noted performer — who specializes in the ‘curious’ side of history and folklore. His talks, always illuminating and entertaining, are full of energy and humor.
Retired CEO David Zapatka and real estate agent Dianne Zimmerman love the game of bridge and the people who play. Dianne is a Life Master. David is an Emerald Life Master with multiple Regional and Sectional wins, an ACBL Goodwill Committee member, bridge instructor and tournament and seminar lecturer. David and Dianne are passionate about bridge and enjoy sharing their love for the game.
After service as a fellow at Lancaster University and as a lecturer at Leicester University, he became a senior lecturer at the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS) which was part of Cranfield University. He has written one book and over 50 papers.
The Moments in Time 2024 World Cruise Gala will be held on the evening of embarkation, January 6, 2024 from 6pm-10:45pm. The evening will consist of a dinner featuring the same curated gala menu in Compass Rose, Chartreuse and Prime 7. The dinner will be followed by special entertainment featuring celebrity appearances in the Constellation Theater at 9:30pm.
After receiving feedback from many of our past world cruise guests, we decided to bring back the tradition of holding the gala onboard.
No, there will not be a dinner on January 5th. Instead, there will be an hour cocktail reception with heavy appetizers at each property for guests to mingle. As always, a complimentary breakfast will be available the morning of January 6th. Details on the cocktail reception and breakfast will be provided upon check-in.
The gala is available to all world cruise guests. Segment guests will embark on January 7, 2024 allowing for an exclusive onboard experience for our world cruise guests.
The World Cruise gifts will be provided on different evenings throughout the voyage. We are not providing images of the gifts as this will be a surprise and delight for our guests.
The sizing of the jackets is standard so please request the size you would normally wear. We will also have extra sizes in case an exchange is needed.
Please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises with questions regarding your transfer to Seven Seas Mariner.
The dress code for the gala event is cocktail attire, but guests have the option to dress formal (suits for men, long gowns for women) if they choose.
The one-night pre-cruise hotel stay was an inclusion of booking the 2024 World Cruise and there is no additional cost to guests who booked this inclusion.
Details on the gala dinner are forthcoming, but reservations will be managed by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and guests will be assigned a dining venue and table.
Check in will be at Terminal J in Miami.
Our exceptional service begins long before you step aboard. Your Personal Consultant will help you or your Travel Advisor plan your next luxury cruise vacation.
