Bolton, who spent more than 20 years at Celebrity in a variety of roles including acting head of sales, will start at the French cruise line on Monday (11 November). 

He replaces Ponant’s former UK sales manager Danny Giles, who has moved to Crystal as regional sales manager. 

Bolton will report into UK and Ireland general manager Anthony Daniels and join the line’s other sales manager Vladislav Saveliev, who supports agents in the Midlands and in the south of England. 

In his new sales manager role, Bolton will support Ponant’s passenger, revenue and profit targets while also sourcing new routes to market. 

Bolton said: “I’m looking forward to working closely with our trade partners to support them in growing their expedition cruise business with us.” 

Daniels revealed Ponant is now seeking a sales and marketing coordinator. “This key position will be instrumental in realising our strategic ambitions,” he added. 

“The successful candidate will spearhead the planning and execution of our events, including trade shows, consumer exhibitions, ship visits, and familiarisation trips.” 

The sales and marketing coordinator will also serve as “vital bridge” between Ponant’s UK operations and the line’s headquarters in Marseille, providing support to its team and UK partners in their commercial activities, the line added.