She first shipped out to sea at the age of 16 and now she’s master and commander. As part of a trend in women reaching the top jobs at sea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that Captain Serena Melani will command of Seven Seas Splendor when the ship launches in February, 2020.
Capt. Melani has progressed quickly in her nearly 30-year nautical career that began as a cadet working on cargo ships while attending school in her hometown of Livorno, Italy. After graduating from Nautical College in 1993, she rose quickly in the ranks working on a number of commercial ships. Joining Regent Seven Seas in 2010 as a Bridge Officer, she became the company’s first female Master Captain in 2016 and has led Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator during her tenure.
“There is a growing number of very talented female captains emerging in our industry, and we’re proud to be pioneers for those women who aspire to lead the Bridge,” Captain Melani said. “Exploring the world and leading ship teams has been a love of mine and I enjoy sharing this passion with everyone who sails with us. I’ve always believed in the motto that the cure for everything resides in salt water — sweat, tears and the sea.”
“Captain Melani has distinguished herself as a trailblazer in the maritime and cruise industries,” commented Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Captain Melani, who lives with her husband on the Croatian island of Korcula when not sailing the world, will spend much of 2019 year in the Ancona, Italy shipyard where Seven Seas Splendor is being built, collaborating with engineers and designers to ensure the ship will perform perfectly from a captain’s perspective.
Regent’s slogan for the 750-guest Seven Seas Splendor is Luxury Perfected, to build on the reputation of sister ship Seven Seas Explorer which is promoted as The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built. All four of Regent’s ships boast among the highest space ratios and staff-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry.
