Regent’s Former Head of Luxury Cruises Back to Silversea

It was announced to day that Christian Sauleau has rejoined Silversea as executive vice president of fleet operations, overseeing marine, technical, hotel, crewing, entertainment and land programs. He had been with Silversea in the mid-1990’s before taking a position with Radisson Seven Seas, which later became Regent Seven Seas…just as it was being marketed for sale.

Mr. Sauleau quit Regent after the sale to Apollo Management. At the time I questioned the plans for the expected new Regent ship and where the focus of the cruise line was going. While I don’t know everything, I see the Oceania-fication of Regent now consists of probably using an Oceania hull if there is a new ship (per Mark Conory), Oceania’s hotel and food operations being put into place, a stripped down loyalty program and who knows what else.

The indicationsare that Silversea and Seabourn will be the only two major luxury lines. Seabourn will soon be a six (6) ship line (by 2011) and Silversea, with its Prince Albert II and newbuilds, also will be taking up more of the luxury passengers. To be sure it looks like Mr. Sauleau’s talents will now be utilized rather than suppressed solely for the purpose of improving the immediate future’s bottom line.