His departure comes after the Marseille-headquartered line celebrated its best-ever month in terms of bookings and passenger numbers in the UK in February. 

Maillard has led a UK-based trade sales team, which currently includes business development manager Danny Giles and Vladislav Saveliev in recent years after joining the line in 2018.

International sales director Stephen Winter hailed Maillard’s effort and passion, saying: “Nabil has been that bridge between the UK and the French markets. Where Ponant is today in the UK is down to Nabil’s presence in the field – but he wants to try something new.”

TTG understands Maillard is moving to hospitality firm Experimental Group, which owns hotels, bars and restaurants across Europe. When asked how the search is going for Maillard’s replacement, Winter said: “There has not been any decision made. We’ve not chosen anyone in particular.”

Winter confirmed he hopes to hire a new UK and Ireland market manager with “some experience” of the cruise sector and strong English-speaking skills. “This is not an entry-level position,” he added. “The salary is negotiable depending on the candidate’s experience.”

Winter confirmed there had been interest in the role from both inside and outside the company. 

Looking ahead, Winter revealed there are more than 30 trade ship visits being planned for 2024 and there will be a fam trip to Tahiti to sail on a Paul Gauguin Cruises ship, which is owned by Ponant, in June. 

 
“I’ve been impressed with what we’ve done and what we’ve managed to do,” Winter noted. “The majority of our UK business is for Paul Gauguin Cruises sailings, the Med and Antarctica.”

He suggested that Ponant could open a UK-based office with a fully staffed reservations department if the line “doubles” its sales through the UK and Irish market.

“If we can get those numbers, that would help us get an office,” he said.