Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the Paul Gauguin, today announced the acquisition of a second ship, which will begin sailing under the Paul Gauguin Cruises banner in December 2012.

The ship will be christened Moana after completing a multifaceted renovation in November 2012. Moana features 45 staterooms accommodating 90 guests. 

“We are monumentally proud to add a second ship to our Pacific Beachcomber portfolio and Paul Gauguin Cruises family. This is an incredibly huge branding achievement for the growth of our cruise line and I look forward to welcoming fans of The Gauguin onboard our latest addition,” comments Diane Moore, president of Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Full 2013 deployment details for Moana will be announced in early 2012. Plans are to sail during the summer months in the Mediterranean and winter in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Paul Gauguin could not be reached for comment as to where the ship was acquired from.

The vessel could be from part of the Nomade Yachting (formerly Bora Bora Cruises) fleet, some of those ships having been for sale since at least 2010.

Bora Bora had changed its business model over the years from cruises to charters – then changing the name to Nomade Yachting, and was even a member of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) at one point.

Nomade had operated two 20-cabin, 68-metre yachts, Tu Moana and Ti’a Moana, which are smaller than the specs Paul Gauguin released.