Farewell to Paul Mundy, a pioneer of cruise travelFarewell to Paul Mundy, a pioneer of cruise travel

Born November 23, 1935, Mundy – together with Judith Mundy – founded UK-based Paul Mundy Ltd in 1970. It was an uncertain period in which to start a business: Boeing introduced the 747 in that same year and ocean cruising looked like a risky bet, with the advent of the jet plane threatening to eclipse sea travel.  

Indeed, Paul Mundy’s family firm, EH Mundy, had already closed their passenger division to focus instead on freight, but Mundy held firm, with the vision that there was more to cruising than just travel. He believed passionately in the broad future of cruise holidays, at that time, the pursuit of a narrow minority of people. 

It was not until 1999 that he sold the business.

The great and the good 

50 years on from the establishment of Paul Mundy, Paul and Judith’s legacy is preserved at cruise specialist Mundy Cruising. 

Edwina Lonsdale, MD and co-owner of Mundy Cruising, went to work for Paul Mundy in 1989. ‘What a mentor!’ she remembers. ‘Paul knew the industry inside out, and his connections stretched across the world. All the great and the good of the cruise industry crossed our threshold in those early days to visit this highly respected guru, a pioneer of the modern day cruise industry. And for all the years since his retirement in 1999, Paul’s wise counsel has continued to be a valuable resource within our company.’ 

A gentleman and visionary 

Many of those who worked in the cruise industry have sent fondest tributes to the innovator who led the industry for so long. 

He is remembered as offering the most considerate and personal support he could to the people he dealt with, regardless of how senior or junior they were. 

He is also celebrated as a visionary and ‘true gentleman’ with a ‘wicked’ and ‘mischievous’ sense of humour’ that ensured meetings ended with a smile – and often a glass of champagne, his fridge always being fully stocked with bubbly.

Paul is survived by his wife Judith. They were married for over 60 years.  A celebration of his life will be held in due course.