The Pinault family strengthens its presence in the cruise business with Aqua Expeditions

Following the success of Ponant, the Pinault family continues its expansion in luxury cruises with the acquisition of Aqua Expeditions, a company specializing in exclusive destinations.

François Pinault, founder of the Artémis Group, continues to diversify his investments by focusing on a booming sector: high-end cruises. After acquiring Ponant, a French company renowned for its Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, the Pinault family is now taking control ofAqua Expeditions, a Singaporean company specializing in luxury cruises on small vessels.

A strategic acquisition in a fast-changing market

Aqua Expeditions currently operates five ships, with prestigious itineraries in the Amazon, Indonesia and the Galapagos. While this acquisition may seem modest in terms of volume, it is part of a broader strategy aimed at dominating the exceptional cruise segment, where immersive experience and personalized service take precedence over ship size.

This move comes at a time when other luxury giants, such as LVMH and Ritz-Carlton, are also investing in the exceptional travel sector. With this operation, the Pinault family is reinforcing its ambition to rival these players by creating an integrated tourism cluster based on luxury and exclusivity.

A vision of long-term growth for Aqua Expeditions

Ponant CEO Hervé Gastinel plans to accelerate the group’s development by doubling sales by 2028 and exploring new acquisitions. He also plans to diversify into river cruises, particularly in Africa, with destinations such as the Zambezi.

The Pinault family’s commitment also extends to sustainability, with the ambition to launch a zero-carbon-emission ship by 2030.

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