Elite Traveler Summer 2022

LEADERS IN LUXURY

Andrea DeMarco Chief Sales O ffi cer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

stunning reimagining of our fl eet’s signature Compass Rose restaurant. Seven Seas Grandeur’s inaugural season consists of 17 voyages in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, plus two sailings that cross the Atlantic. What is your inspiration? While there are so many things that make me proud to work at Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the phenomenal global team is what makes me most proud, whether they work on our beautiful ships or across our shoreside o ffi ces. At the end of the day, it’s really all about who you work with. This has to be when we were onboard Seven Seas Splendor ’s fi rst voyage after we resumed operations in September 2021 following our 18-month pause. Just having our Regent Seven Seas Cruises family back together, seeing tears of joy in everyone’s eyes to be back traveling the world once again is a memory I will never forget. rssc.com What is your fondest memory from an at-sea experience?

Born on the rugged coastline of the Faroe Islands, captain Inger Klein Thorhauge grew up with an a ffi nity for boats. At 16, she left home to serve as a steward on a cargo ship. While she failed at the cleaning and domestic tasks required, she became more attached to the romance of life at sea. She dreamed of the beautiful cruise ships she saw from shore, and learning to sail one became an obsession. In 1984, Klein Thorhauge moved to Denmark and joined DFDS Scandinavian Seaways as a cadet, working her way through the ranks Inger Klein Thorhauge Captain, Cunard Line With a two-decade, storied career in the cruise world, Andrea DeMarco fell in love with sailing on her fi rst cruise: “From visiting multiple countries (but only unpacking once) and exploring the ship itself, it was a remarkable experience that sparked a passion for me to travel the world,” she says, noting she has remained devoted to the industry. The Florida native is responsible for world-class sales and marketing, including maximizing opportunities for the brand and deepening valued travel partner relationships. What are Regent’s plans for the future? We will be launching our newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, in late 2023. She’ll be the sixth ship in the fl eet, hosting only 732 guests. Designed by the award-winning Studio Dado, Grandeur will embody our company’s 30-year heritage of perfection, providing among the highest space and sta ff -to guest ratios in the industry. The ship began construction in November last year with her steel-cutting ceremony in Ancona, Italy, and we’ve already revealed her accommodation — including the palatial 4,443-sq-ft Regent Suite, which comes complete with its own in-suite spa — as well as a

to sail in early 2024. Our fl agship Queen Mary 2 underwent an extensive ‘remastering’ in 2016, with beautiful enhancements having been made on the only true ocean liner in the world. What drew you to Cunard? There is a lot to be proud of — the heritage, history, traditions and the people. I fi rmly believe that we have the best onboard teams, and I am immensely proud of all of them— everything they do, and the diligence and pride with which they carry out their various roles. What makes a cruise unique? To cruise is to experience the entire package — not just a stay of a few nights. On board there are so many options for guests, from gazing out to sea and completely disconnecting from day-to-day demands, to trying something new or indulging a passion. I also love how our guests from all over the world meet new people that become friends for life. Many of them sail year after year, and really look forward to seeing their fellow Cunarders again. You would be surprised at the number of guests who sail our full world cruise every year — some have been doing it for 20 years or more! What is a cherished memory from your time at sea? Sailing out of New York with our three Cunard Queens together in 2008, and witnessing the city lights and the Empire State Building dressed in Cunard colors. That was amazing. cunard.com

to achieve her Master’s licence in 1994. Working on skipper ferries, Ro-Ro ships — even a dredger — she eventually landed at Cunard as the brand’s fi rst female captain. To her, it was like “coming home.” How has Cunard grown under your leadership? Since I joined Cunard and became captain of Queen Victoria in 2007, we have been grati fi ed to grow our fl eet. We brought out Queen Elizabeth in 2010, and now the fourth ship, Queen Anne, is under construction, set