The French luxury cruise line PONANT has canceled a charter for its vessel Le Commandant Charcot, which was set to accommodate 150 Russian passengers. This decision follows the recent arrest of Russian cryptocurrency entrepreneur Iurii Gugnin in the United States, whose company, Evita Investments, was acting as the payments broker for the charter.
A lawsuit filed by the Dubai-based agency TRVL, which organized the trip, claims PONANT has failed to refund $5.8 million of the total charter cost of $8.5 million after the cancellation. Both PONANT and the charter agency have recognized Gugnin’s involvement in processing the payments for the voyage.
PONANT operates a fleet of 13 small luxury vessels and is owned by the Pinault family, known for their control of the fashion group Kering, which includes brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent.
The canceled trip was promoted as an exclusive polar expedition, highlighting the intricate relationship between high-value charters, international finance, and regulatory scrutiny that increasingly affects the luxury cruise industry.
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