Captain Rajko Zupan was born in Split, Croatia, which is the largest town on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he chose a career at sea. The first ship he commanded was the Sea Land container vessel, one of the largest container companies based in New Jersey. Zupan’s cruising career started with Costa Cruises. He then spent 15 years as Captain and Staff Captain with Orient Lines, cruising all the corners of the globe including Antarctica – spending ten seasons there and completing six circumnavigations of the continent. Zupan was also involved with start-up operations of both the Marco Polo and Crown Odyssey, including their major refits and refurbishments. He has been sailing the beautiful waters of French Polynesia for the past six years as Master of the m/s Paul Gauguin.

Sail with Captain Rajko on board The Gauguin or The Moana.

Toni Tomljanovic was born in Rijeka, Croatia. Since Rijeka is one of the biggest Croatian ports, it seemed natural for Toni to choose a career at sea. For his secondary education, he attended the Nautical School in Bakar, one of the oldest nautical schools in Europe. After finishing his secondary education, he began gaining nautical experience as a Cadet. In 1995, he graduated with a degree in Maritime Studies from the University of Rijeka and began working for the Hapag-Lloyd Container Line, where he was promoted to Chief Officer. Then, in 2004, he joined his first cruise vessel: Princess Cruises' Pacific Sun.

In 2005, Toni was delighted to be offered an opportunity to join the m/s Paul Gauguin as Safety Officer. He has since been promoted to Staff Captain. In that capacity, he is second in command to the Captain, being in charge of the safety, navigation, and maintenance of the ship, as well as the discipline of the crew and the security of the vessel. A licensed Master, he is fully qualified to take charge of the vessel should the need arises.

Sail with Staff Captain Tomljanovic on board The Gauguin.

Originally from Bandol, France, Jean-Paul Grepon studied in Germany and Nice before joining his first ship, with the cruise line Paquet Cruises, in 1974. Starting as a waiter, he quickly worked his way up to Hotel Operations Manager. Between 1991 and 1994, he moved on to the Ocean Pearl and then to the Ocean Princess, traveling to Antarctica and South America. In 1995, he became corporate Hotel Operations Manager for Costa-Paquet Cruises before joining Festival Cruises to help develop the cruise ship Mistral from concept through completion. In 2001, he became auditor for the bankrupt Renaissance Cruise Line, helping to accelerate the reopening of the ships in Gibraltar and Tahiti as the Regatta, the Insignia, and the Nautica. As Hotel Supervisor for Renaissance, he worked on the Delphin Renaissance, traveling to Japan, Alaska, Asia, the Panama Canal, and the South Pacific. In 2007, he continued to explore the world with Cruise West and the Spirit of Oceanus. Fascinated by Asian culture, he currently lives in Bali and is delighted to join the award-winning m/s Paul Gauguin as Hotel Director.

Sail with Hotel Director Grepon on board The Gauguin

Born in Sines, Portugal, Nelson Trindade grew up in Biarritz, France. After graduating school in 1986 with a degree in Tourist and Hotel Management, he worked in London in different hotels under the Trusthouse Forte Hotel Group and in Michelin-rated restaurants.

He joined his first ship, the Cunard Crown, in 1992, where he started out as a Buffet Supervisor and advanced through the ranks to the position of Restaurant Manager. In 1998, he joined Windstar Cruises as Dining Room Manager, sailing the Caribbean during the winter season and the Mediterranean in summer.

He has since continued his mastery of the hospitality industry at sea with Norwegian Cruise Line, which he joined in 2002, and Disney Cruise Line, where he served for five years aboard the Disney Dream, visiting the Caribbean, North and South America, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. He is very pleased now to be cruising the exotic South Pacific aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, and Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America aboard The Moana

Sail with Hotel Director Trindade on board The Gauguin and The Moana.

Originally from New York, Michael Shapiro has wanted to be a singer and actor as long as he can remember, and performing remains his first love and passion. Since his first stage appearance, at the Barn Theater in New Jersey at age ten, soon followed by high school stardom, he has been plugging away at his craft. 

After graduating from the University of Colorado with a theater degree, Michael moved to New York City to work in musical theater and television. Among his credits are the dramas All My Children, Guiding Light, and One Life to Live—cast as the head waiter. He also spent one year doing extra and under-5 work on Saturday Night Live. Musical theater credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Joseph's Dreamcoat, Music Man, and most recently Bush Is Bad and Play It Cool  in Los Angeles, where he was nominated for an Ovation and LA Weekly Awards.

A passion for travel, however, led him to start working as a performer on numerous cruise ships, and over the years, he has found himself on Scandinavian World Cruises, Sitmar Cruise Line, Royal Cruise Line, American Hawaii, Cunard, and Radisson Seven Seas. After spending a year (1997) as a performer on the Song of Flower, he was asked to join the m/s Paul Gauguin, becoming Cruise Director in 1998.

When not in the Tahitian Islands, Michael makes his home in Los Angeles, where he also remains an active entertainer. You can catch his latest film, Mr. Zummenshine, on YouTube, along with his hosting work under the name Michael Craig Shapiro. His self-titled CD, which he made with The Gauguin's onboard band, Siglo, is for sale onboard and is available at CDBaby.com.

Sail with Cruise Director Shapiro on board The Gauguin.