Paul Gauguin Cruises christened its new luxurious ship, the m/v Tere Moana, in an official ceremony held dockside on Dec. 29, 2012, in Marigot, St. Martin. Cruise guests, local dignitaries and media were in attendance.
Mireille Bailey, The Moana’s godmother and wife of Richard Bailey, Chairman of Paul Gauguin Cruises and President and CEO of Pacific Beachcomber S.C., presided over the festivities, delivering a speech before christening the ship with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne. Mr. Bailey, along with Diane Moore, president of Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Captain Rajko Zupan, the ship’s Master, spoke during the ceremony, which included plaque presentations by St. Martin’s VP of the Collectivité, Port Chairman, Port Director, and Tourist Board. St. Martin’s Father Samson Dorival delivered the ship’s blessing, and ceremony attendees were serenaded by the festive music of a Caribbean steel drum band.
After the ceremony, a Champagne reception followed by a gala dinner was held aboard The Moana before the ship set sail on its inaugural seven-night Caribbean voyage to visit islands in the French West Indies, British Virgin Islands, and St. Kitts & Nevis. In January and February, The Moana embarks on 13- and 14-night Panama Canal cruises. From April through November, the ship operates a variety of seven-night European voyages. During spring and fall, 14-night transatlantic crossings are available between Europe and the Caribbean.
Like The Gauguin, The Moana offers gourmet dining, Polynesian hospitality and all-inclusive value. At 330 feet long and 46 feet wide, The Moana has a draft of 11.5 feet, and accommodates 90 guests with a staff of 60. The ship’s 45 oceanview staterooms, eight which offer private balconies, have a king-size bed,a flatscreen TV, DVD/CD player, iPod docking station, in-stateroom refrigerator, robes and slippers.
The Moana offers two dining venues and incorporates regionally infused cuisine of destinations visited using fresh ingredients from local markets. Evenings include live piano music in Le Salon. The ship’s Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm delivers signature spa treatments, and a fitness center is equipped with the latest cardio and weightlifting equipment. The ship’s outdoor decks have a swimming pool, hot tub, chaise lounges and Balinese beds. In select ports, kayaking and paddleboarding are available from the ship’s watersports marina. Additionally, the ship’s La Boutique features jewelry, apparel, sundries and souvenirs.
For more information, visit www.pgcruises.com.