Rodriguez joins Ponant

FORMER Crystal Cruises ceo Edie Rodriguez has been appointed as Americas brand chairman and corporate special advisor to Ponant Cruises.

The effervescent Rodriguez had led Crystal Cruises for about three years when her surprise departure was announced last month ( TD 18 Sep).

She was replaced at Crystal by former Disney Cruise Line executive Tom Wolber, saying at the time “I resigned for a fabulous new opportunity that I’ll be announcing soon”.

The cat is now out of the bag, with Rodriguez tasked with increasing Ponant’s brand awareness in the Americas “especially with professional networks including travel agencies, media, influencers and prospective passengers”.

“I have known Ponant for the last ten years as they have led the global expedition cruise industry expansion, and I have always thought that their ships are perfectly appointed to deliver an unmatched cruise experience.

“I am proud to help the Ponant brand achieve recognition and realise its ambitions for growth in USA and the Americas at the level it deserves,” Rodriguez said.

Ponant is undergoing rapid expansion, with four new sister ships under construction which will almost double its fleet.

Le Laperouse and Le Champlain will join the fleet next year, followed by Le Bouganville and Le Dumont-D’Urville in 2019 which together will see the cruise line significantly expand its range of destinations.

In Australia Ponant has also grown rapidly in recent years, establishing a local office ( TD 07 Feb 2014) led by Monique Ponfoort and appointing Orion Expedition Cruises founder Sarina Bratton as Asia-Pacific chair and special advisor.