Pullmantur Zenith

The 1992-built (for Celebrity Cruises) MV Zenith cruise ship had as Pullmantur fleetmates the liners Monarch, Sovereign and Horizon (sistership).

In 2020, the vessel (IMO number 8918136) was re-flagged from Malta (MMS 256561000) to Panama (MMSI 357062000) and in 2022 was re-flagged from Panama to Palau (MMSI 511100685).

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 ship Zenith was constructed as a 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, NYC New York). Also in 2006, RCCL (parent company) acquired Pullmantur Cruises and in 2007 transferred The Zenith to Pullmantur. In 2014, the vessel was transferred to CDF (Pullmantur's brand in France), and in 2017 - 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.

In January 2020, Zenith left Pullmantur's fleet and all scheduled for 2020 voyages were transferred to Monarch. MS Zenith was bareboat chartered to Peace Boat (1983-founded, an NGO/non-government organization based in Shinjuku /Tokyo Japan) and had as fleetmate Ocean Dream (originally Carnival Tropicale).

The vessel (IMO number 8918136) was re-flagged from Malta (MMS 256561000) to Panama (MMSI 357062000).

In mid-September 2020, the company Japan Grace Co Ltd (Peace Boat's cruise operator) announced the charter of a larger-sized ship (Sun Princess/renamed Pacific World, max passenger capacity 2419) to replace Peace Boat's both current (2020) vessels - Ocean Dream and Zenith. The bigger-sized Pacific World started operations in 2021.

The Zenith's AIS transponder went silent for the first time on July 27, 2020 (at 6:17 UTC). In June 2022, the AIS showed The Zenith docked at Port Lavrion Greece. In July the vessel was sold and renamed "TSM Singapore". On August 11th (at 11:14 UTC) the AIS showed the boat docked at Port Duqm (Oman) and en route to Haiphong (Vietnam). On September 24th, the 30-year-old ship (once again renamed/SINGA) arrived and remained off India's Alang Ship Breaking Yard awaiting beaching and dismantling. The AIS' last transmission was on September 29th (at 0:20 UTC).

Decks and Cabins

MV Zenith staterooms (720 total, in 15 categories) include 153x Inside, 494x Oceanview,, 47x Balcony and 26x Suites. The largest accommodation is the Royale Suite.

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

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MV Zenith has two dining venues - Restaurant Caravelle (MDR/Main Dining Room) and Windsurf Cafe Grill (lido buffet restaurant).

The Windsurf Cafe 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 elegantly appointed and offers good food but expensive wines.

The ship is quite spacious and provides a fine travel experience and tastefully decorated public rooms. Pullmanturs passengers were mainly Spanish-speaking, of mixed ages. The onboard leisure activities include a variety of bars, Casino (gaming lounge), Solarium/sundeck, two outdoor swimming pools (one for kids), as well as three Jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpool hot tubs) and a Fitness/Gym.

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
• Cafe Moka Bar Plaza Cafe (cafeteria)
• Bar Marina, Bar Harrys, Bar Michaels
• Photo Gallery, Camera & 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/sundecks
• Fitness Center

Itineraries

Pullmantur Zenith itinerary program was based on Mediterranean roundtrips departing from homeport Marseille France and visiting call ports in Italy, Greece, Malta, Spain, the Adriatic Sea.

To Zenith's 2019 winter program (Canary Islands) was added Madeira Island (Funchal) and Morocco (Agadir). The Canaries ports were Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Arrecife Lanzarote. The program (Nov 17, 2019, through March 31, 2020) included a total of 20 itineraries.

In May 2022, Peace Boat canceled its Zenith cruise schedule "due to a change in contract with the shipowner". Peace Boat's program for the ship was originally planned to start in August 2022, and included longer/over 3-month global itineraries out of Japan, plus a 59-night itinerary to the South Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand.