We can’t wait to welcome you aboard your World Cruise aboard Seven Seas Mariner® on January 7, 2025, in Miami. Learn about the captains and officers overseeing your journey. Discover the stellar roster of guest entertainers and speakers who will accompany you and the exciting details of the gala evening, which will kick off World Cruise 2025 in true Regent style!
Captain Abhi Singh was born and raised in New Delhi, India. He lives in Kent, UK, with his wife and two children, Elliott and Aria. Starting his career at 19 on oil tankers and container ships, he moved to cruise ships in 2006 and continues on board till the present day. Abhi loves to travel and abides by a quote from Mark Twain, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” His favorite port of call is New York, for its rich diversity in culture and food choices and the fact that there is always something new to discover. In his spare time, he loves being out and about exploring the countryside on his motorbike and family days out on the water exploring the UK waterways.
Andreas was born in Switzerland and raised in Italy, in a city 30 miles outside of Venice. After working in several luxury hotels, he started his career at sea in 1993. Throughout the years, Andreas covered several positions, including Restaurant Manager and Food & Beverage Director. In 2012, he achieved his dream of becoming General Manager of one of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Andreas spent most of his life at sea, where he advanced his career and met his wife, Maria. Now, Andreas, Maria, and their two daughters live on the beautiful Spanish island of Tenerife, the perfect place where he can enjoy two of his favorite hobbies: walking and cooking.
Born in Czechoslovakia, Norbert Tesar developed a passion for hospitality early on. Norbert’s introduction to the industry came from growing up in a family-owned small mountain hotel. Norbert earned his Master's Certification in Hospitality Management from Cornell University in 2015. Norbert has worked for several luxury land-based establishments in Germany and Switzerland. For over 25 years, Norbert held various positions in the Food and Beverage sector both on land and at sea. Cruising has not only brought him adventure and a rewarding career, but it’s also where he met the love of his life. Norbert and his wife currently reside in Hong Kong, where they have three children. When he’s not on board, Norbert enjoys skiing, cooking and reading.
Ivan’s love for the water has been a part of him since he was a young boy spending his time exploring local rivers and lakes in his home of Kherson, Ukraine. In 2008, he began his nautical career working on cargo and container ships, gaining valuable experience in navigation. Ivan joined the Regent Seven Seas family in 2013. Here, he has used and built upon his skills in maritime operations. When not at sea, he is now based in Bologna, Italy, were he enjoys spending his free time rock climbing, wakeboarding, and embracing adventure in the outdoors whenever he can.
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.
Casa Viñamar
A Celebration of Elegance and Culture in the Heart of Casablanca Valley
Casa Blanca, Chile
February 16, 2025
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon at Casa Viñamar, nestled in the picturesque Casablanca Valley, one of Chile’s most celebrated wine regions. Experience the perfect blend of tradition, elegance, and vibrant culture at this renowned winery, where the spirit of Chile comes to life.
Upon your arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the lively sounds of traditional chinchinero dancers, whose infectious rhythms and spectacular percussion will set the stage for a truly immersive experience. As you take in the breathtaking vineyard views, let the melodic strains of live music serenade you while you enjoy an exclusive tasting of Viñamar’s finest sparkling wines, each a testament to the valley’s unique terroir and its proximity to the sea.
Indulge in a gourmet lunch, thoughtfully paired with Viñamar’s exceptional wines, offering a true taste of the region’s culinary artistry. As the afternoon unfolds, enjoy captivating Chilean dance performances that showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, adding to the sensory journey of music, movement, and wine.
Throughout the event, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase wines from the local vineyards, taking home a piece of the experience to enjoy long after the event has ended. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a lover of culture, Casa Viñamar promises a celebration of life, flavor, and tradition in one of Chile's most beautiful settings.
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Celebrating Legacy, Excellence, and Maritime Passion
Auckland, New Zealand
March 19, 2025
Step into a world of maritime tradition and excellence at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS), New Zealand’s premier yacht club with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1871. As the official home of the prestigious America's Cup, RNZYS has played an integral role in the world of sailing, most recently defending the historic trophy at the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona in 2024.
Join us for an exclusive event at this iconic institution, where you’ll experience firsthand the legacy of one of the most esteemed yacht clubs in the world as well as pay homage to the legendary Maori and South Pacific sailors.
Throughout the day, enjoy live music and entertainment that capture the vibrant spirit of the South Pacific. Savor a sumptuous lunch featuring the freshest New Zealand seafood, artfully paired with local wines and spirits.
Celebrate the past, present, and future of sailing with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, where history is made, and the thrill of the ocean is never far away.
Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
Honoring Art, Tradition, and Timeless Hospitality
Tokyo, Japan
May 13, 2025
Welcome to the timeless elegance of Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, a luxury boutique hotel. With a storied 90-year history, this architectural masterpiece is often referred to as a “living museum” housing thousands of Japanese masterpieces. Stroll through the hotel's breathtaking Japanese garden — the crown jewel of the property. Meander along serene pathways flanked by cascading waterfalls, graceful bridges and tranquil koi ponds.
As the evening unfolds, delight in a sumptuous seated, plated meal that showcases the finest in Japanese cuisine. Live music will provide a soothing backdrop, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere of the night. This is more than just an event; it’s an invitation to experience the exquisite fusion of art, history, and hospitality in one of Tokyo's most revered landmarks.
JARED FREIBURG AND THE VAGABONDS
Kicking off the World Cruise is high-energy Jared Freiburg and the Vagabonds. Join stars from the US national tour of the hit Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet as they celebrate the feel-good sounds of early rock and roll. Get ready to shake and shout — you cannot afford to miss this nostalgic, electric parade of oldies.
SALVATORE HASARD
Sail around South America with Chilean vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Salvatore Hasard. Salvatore was trained as an operatic singer who crossed over into popular and rock music. His voice has been described as a "full-throated, robust baritone" with a strong and versatile falsetto. His performing range includes pop, rock, R&B, soul and funk, and his main influences as a vocalist are Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder and Elvis Presley.
BEN MAKISI
Sail into Polynesian waters with “The Polynesian Pavarotti” Ben Makisi. This magnificent lyric tenor has won numerous prestigious awards, from the Lockwood Aria Competition to the McDonald Aria Competition held in the Sydney Opera House. His most privileged performance was in Auckland for HRH King Charles.
PANOS KARAN
Panos Karan is a world-renowned pianist and conductor who has performed in many of the world’s top concert halls. His performances include four solo recitals at Carnegie Hall, New York, Symphony Hall, Boston, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Sydney Opera House and Tokyo Opera City, in the presence of Empress Michiko of Japan.
THE TAP PACK
Get ready to explore New Zealand & Australia with The Tap Pack. This high-energy, tap comedy show was inspired by the infamous “Rat Pack” and features some of Australia’s finest tap-dancing performers. With credits on stage, film and television and with over 20 musical theatre productions between them, The Tap Pack is pure entertainment. Combining ultra-cool classic songs with a fresh twist on the thrilling dance medium that is tap. These men are among Australia's finest and most inspiring artists, and they have come prepared to raise the bar and excite your night.
TOMONO
As you sail through Asia, enjoy the grace of Japanese concert pianist Tomono. Tomono has won several competitions, including first prize at the Japan Piano Education League Audition and PTC Piano Competition. Consequently, she was invited to perform in major Tokyo venues such as the Casals Hall and Orchard Hall. She was also invited by a former Israeli Prime Minster, Yitzhak Rabin, to perform on a concert tour in Israel. Many of her performances were broadcast on television. She has performed in the UK in prestigious venues like the Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, and the Wigmore Hall, London.
THE TRAWLERMEN
Get ready to clap and foot-stomp the night away with The Trawlermen. The Trawlermen offer a fresh perspective on folk music. By artfully blending the core elements of folk music with a variety of contemporary artists, The Trawlermen craft a performance that is fresh, innovative and exciting. They redefine the folk music experience, turning each concert into an unforgettable journey that imprints on the hearts of all who experience their musical storytelling at is fresh, innovative and exciting.
STEVE CAOUETTE
As you sail back into North America, get ready to laugh with funny man Steve Caouette. Steve Caouette pushes the comedic envelope by combining impressions, improvisation, sound effects, and classic stand-up comedy. Steve’s talents have been seen in many TV commercials, performances in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and even as the opening act for former First Lady Barbara Bush.
TRIGG WATSON
Finishing off the World Cruise is Trigg Watson. A quick-witted illusionist with offbeat humor, Trigg has brought his tech-infused magic to audiences from London to Las Vegas and appeared on such television shows as Pop TV’s, Don’t Blink, Penn & Teller’s Fool Us, Masters of Illusion on the CW, and America's Got Talent on NBC. It's the perfect finale to this epic journey.
Terry Bishop
Terry Bishop, R.N.M.S, C.Q.S.W, Dip. SW was raised and educated in the west of England. For 35 years, he was a psychiatric nurse, a child protection social worker, and a senior manager in Youth Justice with a lifelong passion for worldwide history. Terry has lived and worked in Germany and Spain and owned land in West Africa. He has led groups of walkers/explorers across many of the historic battlefields of Europe and driven relief supplies to Belarus post-Chernobyl. Terry has worked with the United States Probation Service, consulted with politicians in the Caribbean, and led European Social Care Projects. He is an accomplished folk musician and entertainer. Terry and his wife Julie have chosen to live in the beautiful Peak District of Derbyshire.
Adam Tanner
Writer and lecturer Adam Tanner is an expert on the impact of the West on the rest of the world through colonialism, empire, and economic engagement, as well as on the influence of Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific on European and US history. He has spent much of his career as a foreign correspondent, serving as Reuters news agency bureau chief in San Francisco and the Balkans, and as a correspondent in Berlin, Moscow, and Washington DC. Since 2011, he has been an associate and fellow at Harvard's Institute for Quantitative Social Science, where he wrote What Stays in Vegas and Our Bodies, Our Data. Adam has appeared on the BBC, NPR, CNN, and VOA and written for Scientific American, Forbes, Fortune, and Time.
Sherry Hutt
Dr. Sherry Hutt is an internationally recognized cultural heritage preservation expert who served as a college professor, judge, museum trustee, head of the US cultural property repatriation program, and adviser to two US presidents. She has been consulted by cultural ministers from South America to Asia. Her career included training the first FBI Art Crime Team, prosecuting high-profile art theft cases, and negotiating the return of cultural patrimony held in museums worldwide. Dr. Sherry's stories of historic personalities in ports visited are accompanied by hundreds of photos taken during 30 years of travel through jungles, palaces, and museums.
Estelle Davies
Estelle’s life is centered around water, as a water ski instructor, PADI divemaster, swimming teacher, and ocean rower. Born on a Mediterranean island and raised in Hong Kong, the sea has always felt like a natural part of her world. She recalls, “As soon as I understood that one could study the ocean and the creatures that live within it, there wasn’t anything else I wanted to be but a marine biologist!” Estelle holds a BSc Honors degree in Marine and Environmental Science from St. Andrews University in Scotland. During her studies, she spent her junior year on exchange at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she focused on marine mammals and temperate ecosystems. In 2003, she completed her Master’s in Tropical Marine Ecology from James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, where she discovered her passion for coral reef ecosystems. Working as a Naturalist with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, Estelle has spent over 15 years traveling the world, delivering lectures on luxury cruises and inspiring guests about marine environments worldwide. Her travels have taken her to Greenland, South America, the Caribbean, the Amazon, the Sea of Cortez, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and, most recently, Antarctica.
Bob Smolik
Bob Smolik is a veteran American diplomat and scholar. He worked around the world at US Embassies, peeking behind the scenes at how local politics, economics, and societies work—or don’t. His expertise as a Diplomat in Residence at the University of Michigan is in economics and trade, as well as in UN human rights and NATO security issues. As an economic diplomat, he worked to open foreign markets for US business on a fair and equal basis. He earned an undergraduate degree from Cornell, holds graduate degrees from Berkeley and Harvard, and is fluent in five Romance languages. He offers an expert, up-to-date perspective on the history, culture, and current affairs of the fascinating peoples and places you will visit. If space permits, as a political advisor to military commanders in Africa, Europe, and Latin America, he worked on conflict mediation.
Brian Unger
Brian Unger caught the travel bug early. After spending his 20s living and working in Europe, he returned home to complete a Master’s degree in History from the University of Toronto. This led to a 30-year career teaching courses in Comparative Civilizations and European History. Brian has organized and guided ten international land tours and has traversed five continents as a destination expert presenter with Regent. Brian highlights many of his adventures as the creator and host of his popular Snapshots from Europe Travelogue podcast. Brian brings entertaining backstories from each. He lives with his wife, Wendy, in Vancouver, Canada, and looks forward to meeting you on your voyage.
The Away in Wonder 2025 World Cruise Gala will be held on the evening of embarkation, January 7, 2025 from 6pm. 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.
Will there still be a dinner for guests staying at The Biltmore Coral Gables on January 6th in lieu of the gala?
The gala is available to all world cruise guests. Segment guests will embark on January 8, 2025 allowing for an exclusive onboard experience for our world cruise guests.
This year, you will pre-select your world cruise apparel via our online portal. You may select 2 items: a long sleeve polo OR a short sleeve polo AND a vest OR a jacket. These items will be shipped to your home address before your cruise. Please click here to submit your information and select your world cruise apparel.
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. We encourage you to dress according to this year's theme, glamorous disco.
The one-night pre-cruise hotel stay was an inclusion of booking the 2025 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.
Yes! To be announced soon.
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.
