Coming from a family of engineers, Staff Captain Tiniakov still remembers visiting his father, a Chief Engineer on a cruise ship. What captured his imagination wasn’t the engine room, though. It was the figure in a crisp white uniform at the helm: The Captain. From that moment on, his path was set. His teacher still tells the story of that two-sentence essay whenever she sees his mother.
While his classmates filled pages with dreams of the future, young Alexander made a declaration. Today, he stands on the bridge as Staff Captain, second in command and leading the Deck Department with the insight of someone who has worked his way through the ranks.
Starting as a Deck Cadet, he served nearly every position within the Deck Department before reaching his current rank. Each promotion brought deeper knowledge of shipboard life, giving him the perspective to lead with both authority and empathy.
“Every rank along the way prepared me for this role,” he said. “I know what it feels like to do the hard, hands-on work because I’ve been there myself.”
The Staff Captain is the second officer in command of the ship, responsible for the Bridge team and the navigation of the ship. They are also in charge of the crew who maintain the ship’s immaculate appearance, the officers who drive the tenders, and the team overseeing the environmental protocols. Our Staff Captains are also in charge of security.
Each evening, our officers change out of their whites and into their formal uniforms: a black, double-breasted coat with six gold-colored buttons and their rank insignia on their sleeves. While the uniform, as a whole, commands a certain air of dignity and respect, as some of you with a military service history know, it’s the stripes that earn you the greatest privilege and responsibility.
Take a look at the below guide to understand the ranks of our beloved officers and how to identify what department they’re from. Perhaps, the next time you’re on board, you can impress your newfound friends with your knowledge of who’s who based on the epaulet’s golden threads.
As a guest aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®, you’ll inevitably cross paths with your General Manager and the dedicated officers who support them. From the Food and Beverage Director to the Executive Concierge, each member of the Hotel Department is committed to ensuring every detail of your voyage is nothing short of exceptional. On your next voyage, see if you can spot the Food and Beverage Director with three-and-a-half stripes and the three-striped Chief Housekeeper.
In contrast, you’ve probably not had the pleasure to get to know the team from the Engine Department. These officers work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure your ship is running safely and smoothly. At the helm of this department is the Chief Engineer, whose four golden stripes are highlighted by a burgundy-colored cloth. Perhaps you may run into the Engine Cadet with a half stripe and the aptly named Second Engineer matches his two-stripes.
As you’ve learned from Staff Captain Tiniakov, our Deck Department is quite encompassing, as they are the ones sailing your ship and tending to the physical maintenance of our luxurious all-suite ships. They also have to make sure we obey international maritime laws – in a nutshell, everything related to the operation of the ship. This team includes the captain, the officers on the Bridge, the security team, and all of the maintenance personnel. Their epaulets are understated, yet elegant with no cloth in between stripes, only a simple golden thread. When returning to your ship from a perfect day ashore, notice the epaulets on the security team welcoming you back on board, and you’ll see one golden stripe. Or, if you have the pleasure of dining with your Staff Captain, you’ll notice 4 golden stripes on the sleeves of his formal jacket.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises® has consistently delivered ultra-luxury travel experiences with the very best value for over thirty years. Aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®, enjoy unrivaled onboard space, unforgettable shoreside excursions, incomparable culinary experiences, and exceptional Heartfelt Hospitality™.
