Pullmantur Horizon

The 1990-built (as Celebrity Horizon) cruise ship Pullmantur Horizon had as fleetmates the former RCI-Royal Caribbean liners Monarch of the Seas and Sovereign of the Seas and also the sistership Zenith. In July 2020, Pullmantur Cruceros filed for a supervised reorganization/bankruptcy under Spain's insolvency laws' terms.

The vessel's AIS on July 13, 2020, showed it docked in Port Piraeus-Athens (Greece). Until August 2022, the ship was docked at Port Elefsina/Eleusis. As of July 30th, the vessel remained at sea, close to Salamis Island (Greece's Saronic Gulf's Eleusis Bay, approx 2 km / 1 mi off-coast from Port Piraeus). The AIS' last transmission was on August 18th, 2020 (at 10:15 UTC) showing the vessel at anchorage in Elefsina Gulf (Athens Metro area, West Attica Greece).

On August 26, 2022, the 32-year-old Pullmantur Horizon started its last voyage, departing from Greece (Eleusis Bay) to Turkey. On Aug 29th, the boat was beached to be scrapped at Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard (approx 50 km / 30 mi north of Izmir Turkey). All construction materials, furniture, machinery, equipment and various systems were removed for second-hand sale or recycling.

MS Horizon was planned to restart passenger shipping operations on September 6, 2020. A total of 74x Pullmantur Horizon cruises were canceled (departures between Sept 6, 2020, and Oct 31, 2021).

During its Pullmantur service, the Horizon vessel (IMO number 8807088) was Malta-flagged (MMSI number 249727000) and registered in Valletta.

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) - the world's second-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 the 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 1354-passenger ship MV Horizon was transferred to Pullmantur from Celebrity (along with MV Zenith) and over the years has undergone a few name changes - Island Star (1995), Pacific Dream (2009), and Horizon (2011-2022). Pullmantur Horizon was deployed mainly in Europe (Mediterranean-based cruises) and in the Caribbean (since 2008).

Between 1990-2005, Horizon stayed with Celebrity Cruises. Between 2005-2008, Horizon was operated by Island Cruises Ltd (joint venture company between RCCL-Royal Caribbean and First Choice Holidays UK), renamed "Island Star" and seasonally deployed in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. In October 2008, RCCL withdrew from Island Cruises and the liner was transferred to Pullmantur (renamed "Pacific Dream") again for Mediterranean and Caribbean voyages. Between 2012-2017, the ship was chartered by Compagnie Croisières de France (CDF) replacing Bleu De France/now Blue Sapphire (1981-built). Between 2017-2020, Horizon was operated by Pullmantur.

In October 2008, RCCL (shipowner of "Island Star") sold and transferred the vessel to Pullmantur's fleet, starting operations in May 2009 (under the name "Pacific Dream") and colored in the Pullmantur's hull colors. In November 2010, Pullmantur transferred the boat to CDF-France. For CDF, Horizon operated on European itineraries (Baltic, Canary Islands, Mediterranean) leaving from homeports Calais France, Valletta Malta and Marseille France, as well as Caribbean voyages leaving roundtrip from homeport Santo Domingo (Dominicana).

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.

Decks and Cabins

Pullmantur Horizon has a total of 721 staterooms (in 11 categories), including 151x Inside, 68x Balcony and 16x Suites. The largest accommodation is the Royale Suite.

The boat has 12 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Horizon's Buffet Restaurant 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 main dining room (serving set-time, a set table in the evening) offers a more formal dining experience.

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

• Le Splendide Restaurant (912-seat; complimentary main dining room; the best spot to taste elaborate dishes)
• Le Marche Gourmand Buffet Restaurant (enjoy more relaxed dining at this "gourmet market" for a variety of international dishes)
• Terrace and Grill.

Onboard everything is set to make time go more slowly and give the passengers the opportunity to enjoy every minute of it. In the outdoor pools, jacuzzis, gym and Spa, all travelers are going to feel wonderful. Evening entertainment is based in the theatre, nightclub and casino. And, meanwhile, the kids in the Tibu Club are going to be busy with non-stop amenities.

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

• The Grand Theatre
• James Piano Bar & Lounge
• Rendez-Vous Lounge (pub/cafe)
• Cafe Moka
• Photo Gallery; Video Arcade; Boutique
• Internet Center
• Recreation room
• Casino del Mar
• Sapphire Dance Club
• Conference room; Card Room; Reading Room; Library
• Teen's Club; Tibu Club (Kids' Playroom, ages 3-5)
• Spa del Mar Beauty & Fitness
• L'Annexe Pool Bar
• Bar Zephir
• 2 Swimming Pools; 2 Jacuzzis; 2 Solariums
• Fitness Center.

Itineraries

Pullmantur Horizon's last itinerary program was based on Caribbean roundtrips from Santo Domingo Dominicana.

For winter 2018-2019 season, Pullmantur homeported Horizon in the Middle East for roundtrips from Dubai UAE (overnight port stay prior to departure). The 7-day itinerary program included as call ports the UAE's Abu Dhabi, Khasab and Fujairah, as well as Muscat (Oman). Prices started from EUR 590 pp (with double occupancy).

During 2018-2019, Horizon's fleetmates were deployed in the Canary Islands (Zenith), the Caribbean (Monarch), and South America (Sovereign).

Next tables show Zenith's last itineraries planned for 2020-2021 - before Pullmantur's bankruptcy.

(2020) 7-day "Israel, Greece And Ancient Cultures"

(2020) 14-day "Discover Greece And The Holy Land"

(2020) 7-day "Greek Islands"

(2020) 7-day from Piraeus to Trieste

(2020) 7-day from Trieste to Piraeus

(2020) 17-day Suez Canal repositioning (Piraeus to Dubai)

(2020) 7-day "Dubai, Doha And Legends Of Arabia"

(2020) 7-day "Dubai, Abu Dhabi And Legends Of Arabia"

(2021) 15-day Suez Canal repositioning (Dubai to Piraeus)

(2021 7-day "Greek Islands"

(2021) 7-day "Istanbul And Greek Islands"

(2021) 7-day "Discover The Holy Land" roundtrip from Greece

(2021) 7-day "Greece And The Jewels Of The Adriatic"