Pullmantur Zenith

Launched in 1992 for Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur Zenith cruise ship has as Pullmantur fleetmates the liners Monarch, Sovereign and Horizon (sistership).

NEWS: In early-2020, Zenith leaves Pullmantur's fleet. All scheduled for 2020 Pullmantur Zenith cruises were transferred to Monarch. The cruise ship Zenith was sold by Peace Boat (1983-founded, non-government organization based in Shinjuku /Tokyo Japan) and has as future fleetmate Ocean Dream.

History - construction and ownership

Pullmantur Cruises is a Spanish company (headquartered in Madrid) which founded in 1988 as a subsidiary of the travel agency "Pullmantur" (founded 1971). In 2006, Pullmantur Cruises was acquired by RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd) - world's 2nd largest passenger shipping company (after Carnival Corporation). Currently, RCCL owns 49% as 51% were sold in 2016 to Springwater Capital LLC (2002-founded investment firm). Pullmantur offers high-quality product mainly to Spanish-speaking source market. The company operates mainly in Mediterranean-Canaries regions and by fleet capacity is ranked the largest cruise brand in Spain.

The 1400-passenger cruise ship Zenith was constructed as sistership to the first newbuild of Celebrity Cruises - MV Horizon. The vessel was ordered in 1989 by Chandris Group (Greek shipowner) for its Celebrity brand. The Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage) was in 1992 from NYC New York to the Caribbean. Ship's NYC to Bermuda cruise program started in 1996 - the year in which MV Horizon inaugurated Celebrity's Alaskan program. In 2006, for Celebrity Cruises Zenith was homeported in Bayonne (New Jersey, New York City). Also in 2006, RCCL (parent company) acquired Pullmantur Cruises and in 2007 transferred MV Zenith to Pullmantur. In 2014, the liner was transferred to CDF (Pullmantur's brand in France). In 2017, the vessel was transferred back to Pullmantur.

In early-December 2018, Pullmantur Cruceros introduced "Pullmantur Visa" card via a partnership with Bankinter Consumer Finance (specializing in credit cards and consumer loans). Pullmantur Visa allows easier booking and financing over a period up to 18 months. Pullmantur's credit card is for the Spanish market only (Spanish nationals and residents in Spain) and without maintenance fees. All cruise customers who make payments via Pullmantur Visa receive a return up to 6% of the deferred purchases, plus EUR 20 gift voucher when making non-Pullmantur related purchases.

Cruise itinerary program

Pullmantur Zenith itinerary program is based on Mediterranean cruises departing from Marseille to ports of call in Italy, Greece, Malta, Spain and the Adriatic Sea.

To Zenith's 2019 winter cruise program (Canary Islands) was added to Madeira Island (port Funchal) and Morocco (Agadir). Canaries ports are Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Tenerife, La Palma, Lanzarote. The program (Nov 17, 2019, through March 31, 2020) includes a total of 20 itineraries.

Cabins

Pullmantur Zenith offers a total of 720 staterooms in 15 categories, of which 153 Inside, 47 Balcony and 26 Suites. The largest aboard Zenith is the Suite-Royale room. 

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

MS Zenith Windsurf Café Grill (Buffet Restaurant) provides alternative dining. It is where you'll be able to choose between various dishes to satisfy consumer preferences and tastes. It has an adjacent outdoor grill and provides a wide selection of delicious dishes and an informal setting for relaxing. The single level MDR, Restaurant Caravelle, is elegant and offers good food but expensive wines.

Follows the complete list of Pullmantur Zenith restaurants and food bars.

• Restaurant Caravelle (main dining room; the best spot to taste elaborate dishes that Pullmantur provides in its all inclusive)
• Windsurf Café Grill (buffet; enjoy more relaxed dining at this ‘gourmet market’ for a variety of international dishes).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MV Zenith is quite spacious and offers a fine cruise experience and tastefully decorated public rooms. Passengers tend to be Spanish and European, mixed ages. MV Zenith ship leisure activities include a variety of bars, casino, solarium, outdoor and kids pools, as well as three Jacuzzis and a gym for the active passengers.

Follows the complete list of Pullmantur Zenith lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Broadway Theatre (Salon de Espectaculos Broadway)
• James Piano Bar & Lounge
• La Voile Bleue Bar; Le Zephir Bar
• Rendez-Vous Lounge
• Café Moka; Bar Plaza Cafe (cafeteria)
• Bar Marina, Bar Harrys, Bar Michaels
• Photo Gallery; Camera and video store
• Video Arcade; Boutique
• Internet Center
• Casino del Mar
• Dance Club (Rainbow Disco)
• Card Room; Reading Room; Library
• Teen's Club; Tibu Club (Kids' Playroom, ages 3-5)
• Spa del Mar Beauty & Fitness
• 2 Swimming Pools; 3 Jacuzzis; Solariums
• Fitness Center.

CDF Zenith cruise ship was built in Papenburg Germany (originally for Celebrity Cruises) as "MV Zenith". Vessel's sistership (and fleetmate) is mv Horizon. Both were operated by CDF Croisières de France) - former French cruise line brand and subsidiary managed by Pullmantur Cruises (RCCL's brand in Spain).

Initially, the ship was used for roundtrips from homeport Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) Florida to island ports in the Caribbean and Bermuda. In 2002, the vessel was flagged Bahamas. In 2007, it was re-flagged to Malta and transferred from RCI-Royal Caribbean to Pullmantur for Mediterranean cruises leaving from homeports in France. In 2014, the liner was transferred to CDF where joined MV Horizon.

Ship’s Captain is Ivo Botica.