Pullmantur Monarch

The 1991-built (as "Monarch of the Seas" for RCI-Royal Caribbean), Pullmantur Monarch cruise ships was part of Pullmantur's fleet - together with Horizon, Sovereign (sistership) and Zenith. The other sistership is Majesty of the Seas (RCI).

On July 11, 2020, the cruise liner Monarch left Malta Freeport (Birżebbuġa) en-route to Turkey. There were speculations that the vessel will be scrapped at Aliaga (approx 50 km / 30 mi north of Port Izmir). In mid-June, Pullmantur Cruceros filed for a supervised reorganization/bankruptcy under Spain's insolvency laws' terms. On July 14, the ship anchored off Tavsan Adasi Island (aka Neandros Adası) northwest of Aliaga. On July 22, MS Monarch was beached at Aliaga Ship Recycling Facility. The ship's AIS transponder went silent on July 24, at 23:38 UTC.

MS Monarch was planned to restart passenger shipping operations on August 8, 2020. A total of 97x Pullmantur Monarch cruises were canceled (departures between Aug 8, 2020, and Nov 22, 2021).

During its Pullmantur service, the vessel (IMO number 8819500) was Malta-flagged (MMSI number 229415000) and registered in Valletta. The ship's last drydock refurbishment was in 2018 (Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport  Bahamas).

History - construction and ownership

Pullmantur Cruises is a Spanish company (headquartered in Madrid) founded in 1988 as a subsidiary of the travel agency "Pullmantur" (1971-founded). In 2006, Pullmantur Cruises was acquired by RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd - the 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.

Monarch of the Seas was Royal Caribbean's second Sovereign-class vessel – preceded by Sovereign of the Seas (1988) and followed by Majesty of the Seas (1992). Pullmantur Monarch cruise operations started on April 1, 2013, when the ship was transferred from RCI (Royal Caribbean International) fleet to Pullmantur Cruises.

The 2400-passenger cruise ship Monarch is the second of Royal Caribbean’s three Sovereign-class ships (together with Sovereign and Majesty). MS Monarch was built in 1991 at Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, France). At the time of completion, with her 73,941 GT, Monarch of the Seas was one of the largest cruise ships in the world.

In 2007, MS Monarch became the first among world's largest cruise liners captained by a woman, Karin Stahre Janson (Swedish). She was the only one until 2010. The British Sarah Breton then took charge of P&O MS Artemis. On April 1, 2013, the ms Monarch cruise ship was transferred from RCI to Pullmantur Cruises and joined her sister, MS Sovereign ship, after 22-year service for Royal Caribbean International.

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 Monarch offers a total of 1193 staterooms in 15 categories, of which 445 Inside, 63 Balcony and 63 Suites. The largest aboard Monarch are the Royal Suites (64 m2).

The boat has 12 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

As one of two main dining rooms on Pullmantur Monarch, Auster Restaurant offers a la carte classic European dishes informal surroundings. Passengers can choose between two sittings and tables can cater for the largest of groups. Boreas Restaurant is situated on the deck above Auster Restaurant and serves the same menu in a similar formal environment. Panorama Buffet Restaurant is the spot to enjoy a more casual evening meal with a wide selection of international dishes. No seating times are applied and meals have a more relaxed feeling.

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

• Auster Restaurant
• Boreas Restaurant
• Panorama Buffet Restaurant
• Pizzeria
• Ice Cream Parlour.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Monarch boasts two shuffleboard courts and an outdoor basketball court. Two saltwater pools, full-sized, are among the other amenities. After the 2003 refurbishment, a rock-climbing wall, a conference center, Asian-fusion restaurant, a Latin Bar, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream were added. The Spa and Fitness center, as well as the kids’ area, were enlarged.

In many ways the Pullmantur Monarch ship offers a nice compromise, mixing some of the signature Royal Caribbean fun facilities with the Pullmantur's more toned-down, quieter escapes. Well-supported, the ship secures a good introduction to cruising for first-timers. For more experienced travelers, MS Monarch secures an inexpensive, dependable and satisfying vacation.

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

• Centrum (multi-deck atrium)
• Broadway Show Lounge
• Yogufruits (38-seat bar)
• Bar Fragata (Piano Bar & Lounge)
• Bar Panorama; 360º Bar & Lounge
• The Waves Yacht Club
• Ice Cream Parlor
• Photo Gallery; Video Arcade; Boutiques
• Rendez-Vous Lounge
• Internet Center; Conference Room
• Casino Del Mar
• Cyan Disco
• Card Room; Reading Room; Library
• Teen's Club; Grumetes Club (for kids 3-5 years, minis); Capi Club (for kids 6-8 years, guppies)
• Spa del Mar Beauty & Fitness
• Bar Marina (Pool Bar)
• 2 Swimming Pools; 2 Jacuzzis; 2 Solariums; Jogging Track
• Fitness Center; Rock Climbing Wall; Sports Court.

Itineraries

Pullmantur Monarch itinerary program was based on 7-day Caribbean roundtrips from homeports Colon Panama and Cartagena Colombia. Ports of call included the most popular island destinations in Dutch Antilles - Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

For Royal Caribbean, Monarch of the Seas operated on short breaks (3-day and 4-day) roundtrips to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral Florida. Since April 27, 2013, the ship was year-round deployed in the Southern Caribbean.

Next tables show MS Monarch's last itineraries planned for 2020-2021 - before Pullmantur's bankruptcy and the vessel's scrapping in Turkey.

(2020) 7-day from Rostock to Helsinki

(2020) 7-day from Helsinki to Rostock

(2020) 7-day from Rostock to Trondheim

(2020) 7-day from Trondheim to Rostock

(2020) 8-day from Rostock to Vigo

(2020) 1-day from Vigo to Lisbon

(2020) 4 day "Lisbon, Morocco And Andalusia"

(2020) 15-day Transatlantic from Europe to Caribbean (Lisbon to Cartagena)

(2020-2021) 7-day "Antilles And South Caribbean" roundtrip from Panama

(2020-2021) 7-day "Antilles And South Caribbean" roundtrip from Colombia

(2020-2021) 7-day "Antilles And South Caribbean" roundtrip from Curacao