Paul Gauguin Cruises christened its new ship, the m/v Tere Moana, in an official ceremony held dockside on December 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 moving 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 Vice President 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 7-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 7-night European voyages. During spring and fall, 14-night transatlantic crossings are available between Europe and the Caribbean.
