PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES NAMED PREFERRED SUPPLIER BY VIRTUOSO® -- OCTOBER 5, 2009
Luxury small ship cruise line strengthens commitment to travel professionals through preferred relationship with leading leisure travel network
Bellevue, Wash., October 5, 2009 – Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest rated and longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, today announced that it has been selected as a Preferred Supplier by Virtuoso®, the elite leisure travel network. The luxury cruise line’s selection officially continues a long-established and very productive relationship between Virtuoso member agencies and the award-winning m/s Paul Gauguin.
“Virtuoso member travel agencies have been integral to the success of the m/s Paul Gauguin over the past several years,” said David A. Giersdorf, President and CEO of Paul Gauguin Cruises. “As such, we are very pleased to become a Preferred Supplier and look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with travel professionals as we deliver unparalleled cruise experiences for their clients and our guests.”
In addition to providing world-class experiences for guests, Paul Gauguin Cruises is highly-regarded in its support and appreciation of Professional Travel Agents. The company will continue to offer a comprehensive support program to travel professionals around the world and earlier this year announced the elimination of non-commissionable fares for 2010. Paul Gauguin Cruises also is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and supports all of CLIA’s travel agent initiatives.
"We’re delighted to welcome Paul Gauguin Cruises to Virtuoso as a Preferred Supplier,” said Mark Kammerer, Vice President -Cruise for Virtuoso. “The company represents the finest in South Pacific travel and offers the product, service and overall experience that our member agencies and their upscale clientele expect from a Virtuoso travel provider.”
In 2010, the m/s Paul Gauguin will thrill discerning guests with a choice of 38 extraordinary itineraries ranging from 7 to 15 nights, including visits to such exquisite destinations as Tahiti, the Society Islands, Tuamotus, the Cook Islands, Marquesas, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand – spectacular cruises that cater to travelers seeking a legendary cruise and destination experience. Reservations for 2010 are now open.
For details and more information about Paul Gauguin’s legendary South Pacific voyages, travel professionals should visit the Travel Agent Center at www.pgcruises.com or call 1-800-848-6172.
About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the award-winning luxury cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a luxury cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific. The m/s Paul Gauguin was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship is 513 feet long, 71 feet wide and has a draft of 16.9 feet. The ship can accommodate 332 guests with a staff of 215 and is one of the top Exclusive Charter and Incentive Group venues in the industry. The m/s Paul Gauguin has undergone more than $25 million in enhancements since its inaugural sail in 1998. Since 1998, the m/s Paul Gauguin has completed more than 500 South Pacific cruises and served more than 140,000 guests, including more than 12,000 honeymooners. Paul Gauguin Cruises was acquired in August 2009 by Pacific Beachcomber, the leader in French Polynesian luxury destination resorts.
About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. The network’s member agencies generate over $5.1 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is the exclusive network of travel services and benefits provided by MasterCard® for participating World Elite MasterCard® programs. For more information, please visit www.virtuoso.com.