Downdie

Thank you.Im just interested in the cabins.Im mid fifties and we are only doing this because it is a sail around the Isle of Wight following 1700 boats as they race round...

The regular inside and outside cabins of the Saga Saphhire are among the largest in the cruising world at about 220 sq. ft. as befits the ship that was regularly the best cruise ship in the world when she sailed as Hapag Lloyd's Europa.

I sailed on her when she was with Pullmantur, and still consider her the nicest I've sailed.

Then again, maybe it's heading back to Pullmantur. It appears that Pullmantur have reinstated their all-inclusive designation on all their ships including those of CDF and bookings may be on their way up.

What is your favorite RCCL cruise?

 

My favorite cruise is 5 night Bermuda cruise in 2012 in a Grand Suite. Second favorite is 7 night W. Carib. in 2015 which was also in a GS. I enjoy having dinner on the balcony and the ports of call.

I'll throw a little wrinkle in the thread. My best cruise, a 7 day sailing from Santo Domingo on the all-inclusive Holiday Dream ( ex Europa 5 x world's best cruiseship) to Martinique, St Marteen, Antigua, Tortola, Catalina Island DR. in 2007. This lovely ship is still sailing as the Saga Sapphire.

Agree it's not an RCI ship but Pullmantur, an RCCL owned line.

Correct, but without a complete gut they couldn't fix the lack of balconies and tiny cabins. Easier to just stock the bar and let her rip

The only thing that annoys me about the return of the Empress is that RCI, in their infinite wisdom,couldn't introduce this smaller, inferior facility and older ship as an all-inclusive vessel, which it has been for the last eight years with Pullmantur until this year when RCCL decided to cast off Pullmantur by eliminating that aspect which had the effect of making sure their Spanish clientel switch to other European lines like Costa and MSC with much more modern ships. Aren't North American passengers allowed a few perks for sailing on their clapped out ships?

I am putting together a memory book of all my cruises and realized I don't have any of the interior of the Zenith. She was the very first ship my husband and I sailed back in 1999.

If you have any pictures you can share, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

http://public.fotki.com/Magwa/cruising/zenith-april-2011/

This is a link to some info and photos of the Zenith, albeit after she left Celebrity for Pullmantur. I'm probably one of the few people on this Celebrity forum who has actually sailed on both Zenith and Horizon after they left Celebrity Haven't sailed Galaxy, Mercury or Century though. The dark hulled Zenith is now sailing for CDF.

Interesting that you say that about the language onboard as I assumed it would be French, learn something new every day.

Actually you are correct. When these ships sail under the CDF banner French is the primary language. But these ships are pretty interchangeable and marketed mainly in Spain and France whether as CDF ships or Pullmantur ships. By the way, English is widely spoken onboard by most of the staff.

Saw the Zenith in Marsielles just 1 week ago under its new owners but still called Zenith.

Happy memories for us too.

Both Zenith and Horizon have been sailing this summer for CDF (Croisieres de France) a subsidiary of Pullmantur, an RCCL company. They tell me the food onboard is excellent. I'm probably the only person on this forum who has sailed on both of these ships post-Celebrity, a Horizon cruise from Santo Domingo and a Zenith cruise from Ravenna to Malaga with Pullmantur in 2010-2011. Believe me, they were still great little ships with outstanding service even though Spanish was the first language onboard. Unfortunately they no longer offer an A-I experience. RCCL cutbacks?

I'm surprised Cuba isn't on their itinerary.

They can't. US owned cruiseline. Pullmantur used to visit Havana prior to 2006 when they were acquired by RCCL.

Former Pullmantur management tried running a ship, the Gemini, out of Cozumel and Havana with a 2 night stop in Havana in the 2010/2011 season but the venture failed. Pity, it was a great little cruise.

Hi Stan and Jim:

Thanks for the nice history of the evolution of Chandris Lines to Celebrity.The only fact missing was that Celebrity's first newbuilds were the Horizon and Zenith in 1991 and 1992, both of which are still sailing for Pullmantur/CDF.

Hi Guys

 

Has anyone used this cruise line? I know they are a Spanish company, and I think they are owned by Royal Caribbean.

 

I am booked to go on the Empress in October and just wondered if anyone had experienced the ship itself or the cruise line.

 

I am happy to hear any comments/advice that anyone has (good or bad). I have already booked so will just have to go and make the most of it :D:D.

 

Thanks in Advance.

Lynn Xx

Hi Lynn: Go and enjoy yourselves with the Spaniards, I'm sure you will. I'm pretty certain there will be some English speakers onboard as many British expats from Spain often sail with them. I've had three cruises with Pullmantur and had a fun time, but have never sailed on the Empress.

Good food, good service, good entertainment, and abundant alcohol and non-alcohol beverages if your on an all-inclusive package as I think all British bookings are.

I agree with Hank, spend a few days in Aruba to see the island. But, if you really do want to cruise, RCCL,s Spanish line Pullmantur boards passengers in Aruba on the Monarch virtually year round for 7 night cruises.

As this thread is about Celebrity ships, and their deployment, all of which service the caribbean out of a US-based port other than on a transatlantic or redeployment voyage, it's not a stretch for me to speak as to the majority of those passengers on the ship, US Citiizenss who are prohibited by embargo from visiting.

 

No slight was intended, I was just sticking with the thread title. I don't think it's necessary to add disclaimers for every available option when posting here. Frankly if people did, many threads would be far simpler to read, but in reality, it's not gonna happen, so one needs to infer the context of threads given the titles, and posters' locations and experiences.

 

Given the thread is about Celebrity deployment, Tourism is CLOSED to the majority of passengers boarding its ships headed for the caribbean, still is, likely will be for some time.

 

I believe X as a foreign flagged carrier could legitimately call on Cuba NOW, but it would be silly in that very few of its passengers could get off the ship.

Celebrity, fully owned by RCCL an American company , cannot dock in Cuba the same as RCCL's Spanish line Pullmantur, which called into Cuba prior to 2006 when it was acquired by RCCL

I visited Havana in Nov 2011 on a small Spanish ship, the Gemini and know for a fact there were many US expats from Cozumel who did the same.

Hey, if as an Italian naval base it can handle the navy , I'm sure one big ship will be no problem, considering the majority of passengers will be heading out of town.

Seriously ,my experience of La Spezia would suggest that it won't be any problem,although the trains to the Cinque Terre might be rather busy..

When Renaissance lines went bankrupt, Azmara, Princess and Oceania bought the ships. They all hold about 700 passengers.

We have been on the Oceania Insignia and the Ocean Princess and liked both of them.

In fact,RCCL bought the cruiseline Pullmantur to obtain the ships that became the Journey and Quest, then gave them the much older Celebrity Zenith in exchange. The Spaniards were not amused.

No new ships on the Drawing Board.

 

In actuality, Celebrity has the newest fleet afloat out of all the mainstream Cruise Lines... Once the Century is retired in 2015' she'll have 9 vessels all built since 2000... Millenium Series 4 Ships launched in 2001 & 2002 and Solstice Class made up of 5 Gorgeous big ships launched 2008 thru 2012

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity_Cruises

 

Compare those stats to any other Cruise Line, and you'll be shocked to discover just how many 20+ year ships are the backbone of the major lines.

 

New Ships set Celebrity apart for sure.

 

With 5 Bulids / Launches 2008 thru 2012 (one a year) Celebrity has plenty of new to offer for awhile (and continues to wow in this category... As each year she seems to continue to win awards for Customer Satisfaction / Experience in this category... Believe each ship in the S-Class has won awards)

 

Rumor has it the next Ship Series will come round the late teens... As it does seem Celebrity launches in a ten year cycle.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

Actually your statement that Celebrity has the youngest fleet is incorrect. MSC the Italian mainstream cruiseline has the youngest. 12 ships built after 2000.

I have sailed on both M and S class the Zenith was not with Celebrity when

I first sailed with them in 2000 have seen the Horizon now called Mein Shiff 2 or something, but back to your question.

The Connie was always our favourite ship, but then we sailed on the Equinox, wow she was beautiful and the crew were fantastic,

we then sailed on the Eclipse again what a fantastic ship, the layout,

bars etc are all modern and the Martini Bar is fantastic.

Did a sailing on the Constellation straight after and I must say I did

notice a difference.

The Connie seemed old there were just some things like the Toilets self flushing

the buffet layout the Lawn (which I thought would be ODD) the

extra decks to wander around, the casino was better designed and I'm told

the shops were more user friendly.

If I had the choice it would be 'S' class but I would never turn down a cruise on Celebrity.

The Horizon is still the Horizon and sailing with it's sister ship the Zenith for Croisieres de France (CDF) I've sailed both post Celebrity and they are still great little ships. Mein Schiff 2 was the Mercury and Mein Schiff 1 the Galaxy sailing for TUI. The Century will be transferred to CDF next May.

Wow,at these kind of prices, I'm glad I always sail on a cruiseline where I get my Lavazza coffees at no extra charge.

Hi ColleenThomas: I travelled on the very same ship and itinerary out of Santo Domingo under the Pullmantur banner( CDF's parent company) and imagine the experience will be similar. We have enjoyed all three Pullmantur ships we've sailed. Service and food have been very good and the all-inclusive aspect is a bonus. You would probably find a mixture of French and Spanish passwengers, many of whom will speak English as do most of the staff and there will possibly be some English speakers.

Mapsmith: The Horizon has been sailing in the Caribbean for at least four years from the Dominican Republic, two Years for Pullmantur and two for CDF.I sailed on her early 2010 when she sailed as the Pacific Dream for Pullmantur, even though the majority of the passengers were French and had booked through CDF.

The situation with Pullmantur and it's subsidiary CDF is almost analogous to airline codesharing, each booking passengers on to the other lines ships.

I have sailed three Pullmantur ships, Holiday Dream (Europa) and Pacific Dream(Horizon) in the Caribbean and Zenith in the Mediterranian. I hope to sail with CDF next year from Marseilles, but I'm waiting for the Century starting in May.

If you have any questions regarding these lines.fire away.

This 20-23 was how the buffet was designated on board. It may just be a clumsy Spanish to English translation for the buffet that's open from 8pm - 11pm as the Spaniards traditionally dine later.

Brad: Really enjoyed your you tube presentation. I have not yet sailed on CDF, but have cruised three times with Pullmantur CDF's parent company, including the Horizon and Zenith and would imagine they will be somewhat similar. I enjoyed their all-inclusive style of cruising which includes nice food, all the specialty Lavazza coffees and a good selection of wines, beers and liquors but not gratuities which are automatic like all other RCCL ships.

Mapsmith felt that the MDRs were busy because they were the only evening dining available, but Pullmantur also had 20-23 alternative dining in the Windjammer buffet where the exact same menu as the MDR with appetizers and desserts served buffet style and entrees served at the table without the hassle of dressing up.If you have any other questions, fire away.

People always seem to be very happy on board; very Spanish, inclusive drinks...supposed to be around 3*..... but that's only what I've seen in ports, or heard on forums. I'd try one of the ships, but they are not English speaking at all, so I hear. Handy for Cuba in the winter...

None of Pullmantur's ships will be visiting Cuba anytime soon, American owned. RCCL does not let the ships they own sail as bottom of the scale, even if they are second hand ships. Think RCI's Majesty of the Seas or Celebrity's Century, two ships of approx. the same vintage and will be transferred to Pullmantur in the near future

This line and it's subsidiary CDF provide a very good cruise product for their Spanish and French clientele. English is the second language on board and majority of the staff speak English. A significant number of English speakers sail with them, mainly British expats from Spain. I've found them to be good value on my three cruises on the Holiday Dream (Saga Sapphire), Horizon and Zenith in both the Caribbean and the Med.

carnival, P&O and anything aimed at the British market !

Funny enough, I have a bit of this attitude as well. We don,t sail on ships where English is the only language spoken whether American or British based ships. My last five cruises have been on ships where English was not the primary language, Enjoyed every one.

The answer would be a definite no -- as a previous poster said, Pullmantur's fleet is old Royal castoffs. It's not an upscale brand.

When did you last sail on Pullmantur? Never, I suspect. For your argument to be valid, Azamara would have to be considered a less than upscale brand as they sail hand-me-down ships as well. Oh, by the way, they came from Pullmantur.

Pullmantur are a mainstream line owned by RCCL catering to Spanish speaking clients, but English is also spoken onboard. The one thing that makes them different is that they were the first mainstream line to offer an all-inclusive experience for every passanger.

From a three time Pullmantur client.

Pullmantur is not a tour operator--they are a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean and the market leader in the Spanish market. All their current ships are cascaded from Royal Caribbean.

Actually, Pullmantur IS and always has been a tour operator, starting as a tour bus company, then acquiring a few 747's to form a charter airline to fly it's Spanish clients to all-inclusive resorts, ending up with a few ships for it's all-inclusive cruise division. And the whole works is totally owned by RCCL who bought it in 2006.