Sponsored By

Pullmantur's Monarch is going back to Europe, Empress to exit fleetPullmantur's Monarch is going back to Europe, Empress to exit fleet

With the continued weakness in Latin America, Pullmantur's focus will shift back to Spain as its core market, and the fleet is being 'right-sized' with the exit of one ship.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

October 23, 2015

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

'Our Latin America strategy hit a brick wall,' Royal Caribbean chairman and ceo Richard Fain said Friday, noting that Brazil, the most important source market, has experienced substantial economic and political turmoil. Brazil's real lost one-fourth of its value against the dollar in the third quarter.

Continued economic challenges 'dashed our hopes and plans for Pullmantur in Latin America,' Fain said, adding this was 'painful.'

Pullmantur's Caribbean ship, the 2,766-passenger Monarch, will redeploy to Europe next summer, taking over the 'Baltic Capitals' and 'Northern Fjords' itineraries.

And Empress, which has operated that program, will return to the Royal Caribbean fleet in February 2016. After a drydock refurbishment, it will resume service as Empress of the Seas.

Pullmantur will be putting its focus on the Spanish and French markets, through both the Pullmantur and Croisières de France brands.

Parent company Royal Caribbean took a nearly $400m write down on the Pullmantur business.

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like