High-end French expedition cruise line Ponant plans to
acquire Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of its eponymous South Pacific-based
ship.
Ponant currently has nine ships, that largest of which have
132 cabins. Ponant says it plans to grow the fleet to 14 ships by 2021.
Ponant sails all over the globe, including the polar regions.
Paul Gauguin sails its one 332-guest ship on itineraries in French Polynesia,
Fiji and other South Pacific islands.
Ponant said that following the acquisition, the lines would
keep their current management: Diane Moore as CEO of Paul Gauguin, based in
Bellevue, Wash., and Navin Sawhney as CEO of the Americas for Ponant, based in
New York.
"Now, through Paul Gauguin and its expertise, we will
be able to offer our clients and partners yet another bucket-list destination
visiting the exotic islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific,"
Sawhney said in a statement.
Moore said that Paul Gauguin looked forward to introducing
its guests to "the wider world of Ponant and to welcoming Ponant guests
onboard Paul Gauguin."