PAUL GAUGUIN cruise vessel 1997

[aukepalmhof]

The cruise ship depict on this stamp is the PAUL GAUGUIN, the designer has made some alternations in the design, the windows on the upper decks are looking bigger than on photo’s of the ship. The ship is showed on the stamp when she enters the road of Papeete, Tahiti inaugurating a new era of cruises around the Polynesian islands.

Built as a luxury cruise vessel under yard No G31 by Chantiers de L’Atlantique, St Nazaire, France, for Soc. Services et Transports Tahiti, Mata-Utu, French Polynesia.
25 April 1996 launched as the PAUL GAUGUIN.
Tonnage 19,170 grt, 6.199 net, 2,200 dwt., dim. 153,66 x 22 x 21.1m., length bpp 131.4m., draught 5.15m.
Powered diesel electric by two 6-cyl. MAN 6L32 and two 9-cyl. MAN 9L32 diesel engines, manufactured by CGE Alsthom, 12,228 hp, twin screws, speed 18 knots.
Accommodation for 398 passengers, crew 215.
22 October 1997 completed.

02 December 1997 left St Nazaire, France for the USA.
18 December 1997 christened in Port Everglades, for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises. The christening ceremony was performed by Carole Poylo, wife of Francois-Xavier Poylo, the ships marine architect and son of the President of the Services et Transports.
19 December 1997 made her maiden cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego.
31 January 1998 used in the cruise trade in the Pacific Ocean, based in Tahiti.
Her shallow draught allows her to sail near to the coast and anchor in the most beautiful lagoons of the Polynesian islands
Spring 1996 company was renamed in Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
January 2004 under Bahamas flag and registry.
2005 Underwent a refurbishment.
Early 2009 she underwent a US$5 million refit and dry-dock period in Brisbane, Australia.

The ship was a few times given the reward of the best small cruise ship.
During the first 10 years of her career she made 400 cruises and carried over 120.000 passengers

January 2010 sold to Paul Gauguin Cruises.

2010 as given by http://www.equasis, in service, owner Paul Gauguin Shipping, Dubrovnik, Croatia, managed by Grand Circle Dubrovnik. Bahamas flag.
2014 In service, same owner, managed by Wilhelmsen Ship Management, IMO No 9111319, Bahamas registry.

French Polynesia 2007 190f sg?, scott?
Togo 2013 750F sg?, scott?

Source: Marine News. Veristar-Bureau Veritas. http://www.philateliemarine.fr/phil_mar_e/Tahiti.htm