A Woman Will Be the Captain of a New Cruise Ship For the First Time

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is making history by appointing Captain Serena Melani to be the captain of their newest ship, Seven Seas Splendor.

While there are female cruise ship captains, Captain Melani will be the first-ever woman in cruise industry history to operate a brand-new ocean cruise ship on the launch date.

Captain Melani, 45, began her career at age 16 as a cadet working on cargo ships in her hometown of Liborno, Italy. After graduating from Nautical College in 1993, she went on to work on oil tankers, cargo and container vessels making her one of the only females to hold such roles at the time.

In 2010, Captain Melani joined Regent as a Bridge Officer, then later took on roles as a Navigation Officer, Safety Officer and Staff Captain on Seven Seas Voyager. She was the cruise line’s first female Master Captain in 2016, managing such ships as the Seven Seas Explorer, Mariner and Navigator.

“Captain Melani has distinguished herself as a trailblazer in the maritime and cruise industries,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“She is an international role model and admired by our guests and crew. We are proud to appoint Captain Melani as the industry’s first female captain to deliver a new cruise ship and look forward to her many future successes leading Seven Seas Splendor in the years ahead.”

“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.”

Until the Seven Seas Splendor hits the high seas in 2020, Captain Melani will be spending time at the Ancona, Italy, shipyard collaborating with engineers and designers to make sure the ship is constructed for functionality during her time as its captain.

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