Grand Circle's Alan Lewis remembered as passionate entrepreneur/philanthropistGrand Circle's Alan Lewis remembered as passionate entrepreneur/philanthropist
Alan Lewis, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who owned and chaired Grand Circle Corp., died Nov. 2. He was 74.
November 7, 2022

Boston-based Grand Circle Corp., which includes Grand Circle Cruises, is a leader in international travel, adventure and discovery for Americans over 50.
Charlotte and Edward Lewis said their father died unexpectedly at the family home in Kensington, New Hampshire. They did not share a cause of death.
The transformative power of travel
Lewis was distinguished by his drive and vision. He believed in the transformative power of travel and fostering deep connections with other cultures.
'To Dad, this was never simply “the travel business.” He believed he was in the business of changing people’s lives,' Charlotte and Edward said.
Grand Circle Travel had been founded by retired high school principal Ethel Andrus in 1958, to serve members of her new association, the American Association of Retired Persons.
Acquired Grand Circle in 1985
In 1985, Lewis and his wife Harriet acquired Grand Circle and transformed the $23m company that was losing $2m a year into a global enterprise with more than $600m in gross sales, over 35 offices worldwide and 3,000 associates, guides and ship crew. The company acquired Overseas Adventure Travel in 1993, and Lewis established Grand Circle Cruise Line in 1998.
The cruise line operates culturally oriented, small-group river and ocean sailings on a fleet of intimate vessels it owns or charters. Destinations range from Northern Europe to the Greek Isles and Adriatic Sea, and from the European rivers to Antarctica.
'Bright, focused and decisive'
'I always appreciated how bright, focused, gracious, encouraging, decisive and professional Alan was in all of our interactions,' said David Giersdorf, a veteran senior cruise leader. 'He and his team built a great, unique company committed to giving back — a legacy we could all aspire to.'
In 1983, Lewis founded the Kensington Investment Co. (KIC) for his family's real estate holdings, investments and philanthropic activities. Today his son and daugher serve as CEO and COO, respectively, of the company that has residential and commercial properties in Boston, Utah and across New England, as well as alternative investments in Israel and more than 80 US companies.
Partnerships
Giersdorf first met Lewis in his dealings with Grand Circle Travel as EVP of Holland America Line. They worked together to identify opportunities within the HAL product line and gaps in Grand Circle’s offerings where they could collaborate.
'It was a very successful partnership,' Giersdorf said. 'Alan and his team were collaborative and professional and consistently met or exceeded their commitments.'
After 9/11 Giersdorf and Lewis worked together to ensure their mutual guests were cared for and to revise plans and agreements.
'Years later, Alan would always remark that those days and negotiations were among the most memorable in his career,' Giersdorf said, adding that he appreciated Lewis's 'gracious and kind manner' and how he credited Giersdorf for helping Grand Circle get through the crisis.
Paul Gauguin cruise ship
The Paul Gauguin cruise ship was owned by Alan and his brother Hank Lewis (Vantage Deluxe World Travel) and operated under a management agreement by Regent Seven Seas Cruises as part of the Regent fleet.
During the global economic crisis of 2008, Regent did not renew the management agreement, 'leaving Alan and Hank with a valuable ship asset but no company or cruise industry expertise to operate it,' according to Giersdorf. He recommended the creation of Paul Gauguin Cruises, the engagement of V.Ships to provide operating support, the continuation of Regent's existing distribution agreements and travel trade policies, and the formation of a dedicated team, including Grand Circle and Vantage personnel along with experienced cruise professionals.
Giersdorf served as acting CEO through the completion of the sale to Pacific Beachcomber. Paul Gauguin Cruises is now owned by Ponant.
'Vision to help change lives'
According to KIC, Lewis had a 'lifelong vision to help change people’s lives.' Having grown up in some tough Boston neighborhoods and moving 14 times before he was 7, he knew how challenging things could be for young people on an uneven playing field. His experiences molded him into an entrepreneur and made him a champion for the underdog.
Lewis also established the Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation that has donated more than $250m to over 500 projects in 50 countries since 1981.
In his memory, Charlotte and Edward Lewis created the Alan E. Lewis Fund through Grand Circle Foundation, which will support conservation and indigenous groups in the US.
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