ALMACO modernizes cruise ship M/S Paul Gauguin

ALMACO, specialists in the management of passenger ship hotel area modernization projects, will begin a 22-day renovation of the popular luxury cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin in January. Owned by Grand Circle, a leading U.S. international tour provider and operator of a fleet of 45 small ships, m/s Paul Gauguin will be outfitted with a new piano bar and five additional staterooms with private balconies. This will increase the ship's passenger capacity from 320 to 330. In addition, new USPH stainless steel counters will be installed in the officer mess and carpets and soft goods will be updated. The renovation work will start onboard in Tahiti on January 7 and progress during the ship's crossing to Brisbane, Australia, arriving January 20. In Brisbane, the ship will be dry docked, with work scheduled for completion January 27.

Hired by Grand Circle to manage the project, ALMACO drafted layouts and selected materials and will oversee project quality and budget. ALMACO Total Modernisation Management includes technical engineering, logistics, all HVAC works and electric works as well as classification drawings and documentation.

M/S Paul Gauguin entered service in Tahiti and French Polynesia in 1998 and was purchased by Grand Circle in 2004. Managed by Radisson Seven Seas, the six-star Gauguin was named one of the world's top two small ships in 2003 and 2004 by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. The ship returns to Tahiti and the South Pacific after the 22-day refurbishment and will resume a full sailing schedule.

Further information can be obtained from:

Inkeri Lehti, VP Sales & Marketing, +1-443-995 0062, inkeri.lehti@almaco.cc