Paul Gauguin Cruises Names Richard Bailey as Chairman, President & CEO

Pacific Beachcomber, owner of Paul Gauguin Cruises since August, announced the completion of the company’s post-acquisition management transition. Effective immediately, the company said Richard Bailey will serve as chairman, president and CEO of Paul Gauguin Cruises, replacing acting President and CEO David Giersdorf.

Bailey said Giersdorf’s accomplishments over the past year in defining and launching the Paul Gauguin Cruises brand, leading the team, establishing and expanding valuable relationships in the travel community contributed greatly to Paul Gauguin Cruises being an attractive business opportunity for Pacific Beachcomber to pursue.

For his part, Giersdorf said he was honored when the prior owners of Paul Gauguin Cruises approached him late 2008 and asked his company, the Giersdorf Group, assist them in establishing a standalone company and brand to prepare for continued operations of the Paul Gauguin following the completion of the agreement with Regent Seven Seas Cruises to manage the vessel at the end of 2009.

Earlier this year Giersdorf assumed the role of acting president of Paul Gauguin Cruises for six months and that involvement was extended through the closing of the sale transaction to ensure a smooth transition.

In 2010, the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin will offer a choice of 38 itineraries, ranging from seven to 15 nights, including visits to Tahiti, the Society Islands, Tuamotus, the Cook Islands, Marquesas, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand.