Kiki Tauck Mahar, the wife of Tauck CEO Dan Mahar and the daughter of Tauck Chairman Arthur Tauck, will serve as godmother to Compagnie Du Ponant’s new 264-passenger, 466-foot luxury small ship, Le Soléal, when it is christened next July in Italy. 

The announcement was made jointly today by France-based Compagnie Du Ponant and Tauck, during a launching ceremony for Le Soléal at Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona, Italy, where the ship is under construction.  Tauck has partnered with Compagnie Du Ponant on small ship cruises since 1993, and the Connecticut-based leader in premium-quality guided travel is Compagnie Du Ponant’s single largest customer.  For 2013, Tauck will offer six itineraries on four different Compagnie Du Ponant vessels, including the new Le Soléal, its sister-ships Le Boréal and L’Austral, and the elegant 60-passenger sailing vessel, Le Ponant.

Among the Tauck itineraries that feature Compagnie Du Ponant ships are “Venice & the Dalmatian Coast,” “Treasures of the Mediterranean,” “Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome,” “St. Petersburg & the Baltic Sea,” “Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice” and “Antarctica.”  Le Soléal will be featured next year on Tauck’s Iceland cruise, and on a brand new itinerary to be announced in the coming weeks.  Each is truly all-inclusive, with Tauck-exclusive shore excursions, all gratuities, airport transfers, onboard alcoholic beverages, most meals, and much more included in Tauck’s cruise prices.
“We are so honored to have Ms. Mahar as Le Soléal’s godmother,” said Compagnie Du Ponant’s CEO, Jean-Emmanuel Sauvee.  “The Tauck name is synonymous with the highest levels of quality, service, guest care and value – standards of excellence we share at Compagnie Du Ponant, and that have made Tauck and Compagnie Du Ponant such perfect partners.  It’s wonderful to have a member of the Tauck family join the Compagnie Du Ponant ‘family’ as Le Soléal’s godmother.”

THE ELEGANT NEW LE SOLÉAL

Like its sister-ships L’Austral and Le Boréal (named "Best Newcomer of the Year in 2010") Le Soléal combines elegance and eco-friendly technologies with the highest standards for quality in design, décor and amenities.  The ships each feature six decks (all served by elevator) that include a chic main dining room serving French and international cuisine, a casual grill restaurant, three lounges offering bars and entertainment, a state-of-the-art theater for lectures and entertainment, fitness and beauty facilities, a medical center and multiple observation areas.