US-based Apollo Management L.P. has acquired Regent Seven Seas Cruises operations from the Carlson group of companies. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008, subject to regulatory approval.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ fleet includes the 700-berth Seven Seas Voyager, 700-berth Seven Seas Mariner, 490-berth Seven Seas Navigator and the 330-berth Paul Gauguin.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will remain a wholly independent brand and will continue to operate from its Fort Lauderdale base and Oceania Cruises, also owned by Apollo, will remain in its Miami headquarters.
A spokesperson for Apollo said the transaction was part of a unified strategy by Apollo and Carlson to expand their respective core cruise and hotel operations, and become the world’s preeminent operators of luxury hotels, resorts and cruises.
Carlson will retain ownership of the master Regent brand, along with the worldwide operations of Regent Hotels and Resorts.
Carlson named Bjørn Gullaksen as president, Regent Luxury Group. Gullaksen was most recently executive vice president for Carlson Hotels Worldwide Managed Hotels and Resorts in the Americas. He will continue to oversee the managed hotel and resort operations in his new role.
MICEBTN - Apollo acquires Regent Seven Seas Cruises