A favorite cruise ship with us is the lovely Paul Gauguin, which sails out of Papeete, Tahiti, around eastern French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and Fiji. It offers all-expenses-paid vacactions, complete with ample opportunity to dive, snorkel, and discover the history of this spectacular area of the Pacific.
Now, this lovely little vessel has new owners -- Ponant, a highly rated luxury line that specializes in small ships and unusual destinations. As they say, their philosophy is counter to the mega-ship forward-planning of the big cruise lines, where boarding a vessel will be like trying to find a place within a busy city.
Their ships have been purposefully designed to welcome a limited number of guests: with 32 to 132 staterooms, so that instead of arriving in a city, it will be like being welcomed into a luxury hotel.
And that is the heritage of the Paul Gauguin, too. So, in that respect, the purchase is logical. However, their stated ambition is to visit ancient cultures and unspoiled natural scenery. But, if any of the nine Ponant ships also include eastern Polynesia in their itineraries, Tahiti might be in for a mini-invasion -- because Princess has caught onto the same idea, and is sending their 666-passenger ship, Pacific Princess, to the eastern Pacific next year.
Ponant has purchased US cruise line Paul Gauguin, which will continue operating under its own brand.
Paul Gauguin, which is based in Seattle, will remain an independent company under the leadership of its president Diane Moore.
It offers high-end expedition cruises in French Polynesia and the South Pacific.
The acquisition will give Ponant guests a wider range of destinations and will give the combined the combined company a larger fleet with Ponant combining its nine ships with Paul Gauguin's one vessel, Paul Gauguin, above.
"Ponant is proud to be at the forefront of small ship exploration. We are expanding our Ponant fleet to 14 ships by 2021," said the cruise line's CEO Navin Sawhney.
"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."
Moore added: "As we join the Ponant family, we remain dedicated to our shared passion for authentic experiences, high quality service and sustainable practices.
"We are excited about introducing our guests to the wider world of Ponant and to welcoming Ponant guests on board Paul Gauguin."
Paul Gauguin, which is based in Seattle, will remain an independent company under the leadership of its president Diane Moore.
It offers high-end expedition cruises in French Polynesia and the South Pacific.
The acquisition will give Ponant guests a wider range of destinations and will give the combined the combined company a larger fleet with Ponant combining its nine ships with Paul Gauguin's one vessel, Paul Gauguin, above.
"Ponant is proud to be at the forefront of small ship exploration. We are expanding our Ponant fleet to 14 ships by 2021," said the cruise line's CEO Navin Sawhney.
"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."
Moore added: "As we join the Ponant family, we remain dedicated to our shared passion for authentic experiences, high quality service and sustainable practices.
"We are excited about introducing our guests to the wider world of Ponant and to welcoming Ponant guests on board Paul Gauguin."
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