David Giersdorf Named Acting President, CEO of Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited

Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited announced that David Giersdorf, CEO of Giersdorf Group, has joined the company as acting president and CEO as the company assumes full operation of Paul Gauguin beginning in January 2010. Giersdorf has more than 30 years of experience in the cruise industry and business management, including senior management and ownership positions at Exploration Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Holland America, Ambassadors Cruise Group, Glacier Bay Lodge, and the marketing services firm CF2GS. He is a former chairman of CLIA.

With Giersdorf's leadership, the company looks to expand relationships with travel agents and other sellers, and to grow the business as it assumes full operation of all aspects of Paul Gauguin in 2010 and beyond.

Giersdorf will serving as acting president and CEO for an initial period of six months. Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited and Giersdorf Group have entered into an agreement that will ensure a successful transition and continuation for the luxury vessel Paul Gauguin, which will operate under the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet through 2009 and then operate independently thereafter.

Prior to establishing Giersdorf Group, Giersdorf was president of Ambassadors Cruise Group, the parent company of Majestic America Line and Windstar Cruises, where he oversaw cruise operations. Before that, he served as executive vice president of sales and marketing at Holland America Cruise Line.

“Our immediate focus is to establish the reservations, sales and marketing resources to support the upcoming announcement and launch of Paul Gauguin's robust 2010 schedule of sailings and to support the efforts of the company's many distribution partners who have been so critical to Paul Gauguin's success," said Giersdorf.

During its January 25-February 5, 2009 dry dock in Brisbane, Australia, Paul Gauguin will undergo a $6 million renovation. Itineraries and pricing for 2009 are currently available, with specific itineraries, retail pricing information, and customer service and support for 2010 products to be available by January 31, 2009.