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Cruise News for the Corporate Travel Professional

August 2009 Edition

Paul Gauguin Shipping - Sold (maybe)

We have been hearing rumors to the effect that the Paul Gauguin is/ has been/ will be - sold to Tahitian interests.  At the time of distributing this newsletter there was still no official confirmation of the sale.

Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd., controlled by Hank Lewis, the owner of Vantage Travel, is said to be near to closing a deal with Dick Bailey, whose company, Tahiti Beachcomber SA, owns InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, InterContinental Tahiti Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort and InterContinental Moorea Resort. It is also rumored that the Tahitian Government will also have an interest in the new company.

Paul Gauguin is expected to continue operating in French Polynesia. The buyer ‘wants to keep it in Tahiti and wants to keep it going,’ our source said.

Over the past year, management of the ship has been transitioning from Regent Seven Seas Cruises to Paul Gauguin Shipping under the leadership of president and ceo David Giersdorf.

It appears Giersdorf will helm the management company that is being established in Seattle to operate Paul Gauguin for its new owner, and we understand sales veterans David Morris and Marilyn Richardson Conroy (ex-Silversea's Cruises) will play key roles with Maggie Mantia (ex-Regent Seven Seas) adding the occasional corporate flavor to the team..

Roy Grimsland has already departed the company leaving Michael Beale to hold down corporate sales.

Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc.

150 S. University Dr.  Ste E, Plantation, FL 33324 - USA

Tel: +1 954 452 8800  Fax: +1 954 252 3945

EMail: sales@cruiseco.com

Designed & Published by: Worldwide Media.