Seven Seas Explorer Gets a Captain and Leadership Members

seven seas explorerRegent Seven Seas Cruises has announced the captain and senior leadership team for its upcoming new ship, the Seven Seas Explorer. Stanislas Gerard Jean Mercier De Lacombe will serve as captain, leading a team of senior officers that includes: 

  • Franck Galzy, general manager
  • Aurelien Dumeylet, executive chef
  • Luca Griggi, chief engineer
  • Ray Solaire, cruise director

Captain Stanislas Gerard Jean Mercier 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 cruise lines.

General Manager Franck Galzy is responsible for overseeing the delivery of hotel and food & beverage services for Seven Seas Explorer. After graduating from the CAFA Sommelier Wine School in Angers, France, General Manager Galzy expanded upon his hospitality expertise at the 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 and beverage manager. In that capacity, General Manager Galzy has maintained a general manager position for the past six years, coordinating a number of special events on the line's voyages, including its Navigate the World and Circumnavigation of South America cruises.

Executive Chef Aurelien Dumeylet will supervise all aspects of the menu and food preparation for Seven Seas Explorer’s dining options, including its 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 Regent Seven Seas ships since 2007.

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.

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 in 2008 and has served as cruise director aboard all of the line’s ships.