Spanish cruise line Pullmantur Cruises, which filed for insolvency earlier this year, has informed travel agents that it will not resume operations until December 2021. Pullmantur proposed travel agencies two alternatives: a full refund of the payments made by clients or a voucher for 125% of the amount paid to be used on a Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises ship from December 31, 2021 to December 30, April 2022.
The cruise line, whose main shareholders are Royal Caribbean Group (49%) and Springwater Capital (51%), currently has no ships to operate. Two of the brand’s ships – Monarch and Sovereign – were scrapped in Turkey, the third vessel – Horizon – is in cold lay-up in a Greek port.
But it appears the company is attempting to mount a comeback. Pullmantur has announced it has reached an agreement with the Royal caribbean Group which will guarantee the viability of Pullmantur Cruises. Both will research the possibilities to improve the opportunities of offering a more modern designed product, which includes ships with a greater number of balcony cabins. As such Pullmantur would continue with the commitment to acquire two Millennium class vessels.
Celebrity Cruises’ Millenium Class features four cruise ships: Celebrity Millennium (2000), Celebrity Infinity (2001), Celebrity Summit (2001) and Celebrity Constellation (2002). Two vessels – Celebrity Millennium and Summit – have been completely revitalized as part of the line’s $500 million ‘The Celebrity Revolution’ to bring the fleet closer to the level and style of celebrity Edge. Celebrity Constellation and Celebrity Infinity have yet to receive the refurbishment and as sush seem the logical choice to be transferred to Pullmantur.