Apollo Management has bought up Regent Seven Seas Cruises from Minneapolis-based Carlson, the US companies have confirmed.



The companies did not disclose a price for the cruise line, but TradeWinds reported in mid-November that the deal was worth $1bn.



The deal is expected to close in the first-quarter of 2008, depending on regulatory approval. (Click here for the full announcement.)



The Regent Seven Seas Voyager
The New York private equity group will place Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the recently acquired Oceania under the umbrella of subsidiary Prestige Cruise Holdings, headed by chief executive Frank del Rio.



Still,