By
Rebecca Gibson |
Grand Circle Cruise Line has acquired the 88-passenger Tere Moana from Paul Gauguin Cruises to enable it to expand its small-ship itineraries.
Acquired for an undisclosed price, Tere Moana will join Grand Circle’s fleet in summer 2016, enabling the line to meet the growing demand for small-ship cruising among American travellers aged over 50. Tere Moana will join the 50-passenger Artemis, Arethusa and Athena, which all sail in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, as well as the 98-passenger Corinthian, which was acquired last year and operates in Antarctica, South America and Europe.
“Small-ship travel, which for us means ships of fewer than 100 passengers, has become increasingly popular among Americans aged 50 and above because it offers ease of travel and access to small ports – and the places, people and cultures beyond these ports – that are inaccessible to larger ships,” said Alan Lewis, chairman of Grand Circle. “We are delighted to have acquired Tere Moana and to soon be able to offer additional intercultural cruises for active travellers.”
Built in 1998 at the Alstom Leroux shipyard in St. Malo, France, the five-deck Tere Moana was refurbished in 2012 and features 44 ocean-view cabins, a dining room and a lounge. The ship will undergo an extensive refurbishment before sailing in the Grand Circle fleet to ensure it meets the tastes of American travellers.
Grand Circle is considering relocating Tere Moana to Asia and offering itineraries that explore Japan, Indonesia, Borneo, Sydney in Australia, and beyond. Potential itineraries include ‘The Best of Southern Japan & South Korea’; ‘Bali to Australia’: ‘Komodo Island & the Timor Sea’; and ‘Indonesia: Java, Bali, Borneo & Komodo Islands.’