Pullmantur has decided to bet heavily on the Latin American market and for this it has designed two new routes through the Caribbean, Legendary Caribbean and Caribbean Islands, which will be launched in the last quarter of 2016. In addition to these routes there will be new ports of embarkation, renewal of menus, more gastronomic offers, excursions and different shows.
By 2016 Pullmantur proposes the Antilles & South Caribbean itinerary, with a duration of 8 nights and runs through the ports of Cartagena de Indias, Colón, Aruba, Curaçao and La Guaria. Departure is October 2 and 29.
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New Pullmantur routes through the Caribbean for the Latin American market
The Caribbean Islands itinerary, which will take place at Zenith, is designed for those who want to discover the more natural Eastern Caribbean. with captivating scenery in Santo Domingo, La Romana, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados. The Zenith is a modern 12-deck ship, with a capacity for almost 1900 passengers (1877 according to some sources) and a crew of around 620 people (other references cite 578). Departures will be between December 23, 2016 and March 11, 2017, and Pullmantur also includes the price of flights from Madrid.
The other route, Caribe Legendario will be available from November 4, until April 28, 2017. On board the Monarch, a route is proposed where history and beaches coexist in perfect harmony, visiting Puerto Limón, Colón, Cartagena de Indias, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. As with the Caribbean Islands, Pullmantur also offers flights from Madrid.
Currently, and according to information provided by different agencies and wholesalers, Pullmantur's operations cover the southern, eastern, and western Caribbean Sea, significantly boosting the Latin American market. Ports like Columbus (Panama), Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) They have become established as strategic embarkation bases thanks to their air connectivity, since many of the ports on the itinerary do not require visas for most Latin American passengers.
In this endeavor, the shipping company has proposed various closed programs for markets such as Peru or Ecuador, which combine Flights included, transfers, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights and guided tours such as city tours or excursions to the Panama Canal, always under the formula of all inclusive on board which has made Pullmantur so popular.
Details of the main Caribbean itineraries
In addition to the classic Antilles & Southern Caribbean, various commercial programs have presented very comprehensive combinations that help to understand the Pullmantur's variety of Caribbean routes:
- Southern Caribbean Cruise from Panama (5 days / 4 nights), with boarding in Colón and a system of all inclusive on board the Monarch. It is usually marketed with round-trip airfare, transfers and taxes already integrated, and the option to add nights of accommodation in Panama City.
- Legendary Caribbean Cruise from Panama in versions of 9 days / 8 nights and 10 days / 9 nightsThe typical itinerary includes Colón, Cartagena, Montego Bay (Jamaica), George Town (Cayman Islands) and Puerto Limón (Costa Rica) before returning to Colón, combining colonial history, beaches and nature.
- New Year's Cruise to the Antilles and Southern Caribbean, based on the route Colón, Cartagena, Willemstad (Curacao), Kralendijk (Bonaire), Oranjestad (Aruba) and return to Colón, where it joins the festive New Year's Eve atmosphere with stops at islands with crystal-clear waters.
- Caribbean Islands and Barbados Routes / Caribbean Islands and Saint Maarten from Santo Domingo, operated with the Zenith, combining ports such as Roseau (Dominica), Bridgetown (Barbados), Saint George's (Grenada), Kingstown (Saint Vincent), Basseterre (Saint Kitts), Philipsburg (Saint Maarten), Saint Johns (Antigua) and Castries (Saint Lucia).
These combinations are usually offered, through Latin American wholesalers, All-inclusive packages that include flights from cities like Lima, transfers, port taxes, additional hotel nights and some complimentary services (city tours, visits to shopping centers like Albrook Mall, etc.), reinforcing the idea of a closed and comfortable trip for the passenger.
Featured ships: Monarch and Zenith in the Caribbean
The Monarch is the crown jewel of the Pullmantur shipping company, with capacity for 2766 passengers, 12 decks, 5 specialty restaurants, swimming pools, clubs, spa, gym and many other amenities.
According to various industry reports, The Monarch has been the ship chosen for the itineraries most in demand by the Latin public Like Caribe Legendario or Antillas y Caribe Sur, thanks to its size and the spaciousness of its common areas. Commercial packages from several Latin American countries have used it as a reference to offer special departures with charter flights and additional ground services.
The Zenith cruise ship has been part of the Pullmantur fleet since 2007, after sailing for 15 years with Celebrity Cruises and undergoing refurbishments upon joining the Spanish cruise line. Measuring 208 meters in length and 29 meters in beam, it has a maximum capacity of 1877 passengers and a crew of approximately 578-620 members, making it a well-balanced option for Eastern Caribbean itineraries.
This ship has been key in the Caribbean Islands and Barbados itineraries and Caribbean Islands and St. Maarten itinerariesfocusing on the more exotic Eastern Caribbean. Furthermore, the company has demonstrated its ability to react to exceptional events, such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which forced modify some ports of call and the order of visits to preserve the safety and experience of passengers.
In these cases, Pullmantur informed travel agencies of the operational changes, replacing stops on affected islands such as Dominica and Saint Maarten and adjusting the length of stay in ports like St. Kitts. The official recommendation was always Consult with a travel agent or directly with the shipping company to find out in detail the updated port of embarkation, schedules and possible variations of the route.
Strategy in Latin America and product concept
According to the CEO of Pullmantur Cruises, Jorge Vilches: "Latin America has a very significant weight within Pullmantur's strategy, representing close to half of our passengers." He also announced that at this time the company is developing a new concept, Moved by You, a proposal to improve the experience on issues that are important to passengers.
Other company executives have indicated that The Latin American market can represent around 40% of revenuewith countries like Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela playing a key role. The choice of Columbus as a home port This is justified by the great connectivity of the Copa Airlines hub, the administrative facilities of the country and the support of the Panama Tourism Authority.
In presentations aimed at travel agents, the shipping company's sales managers have emphasized the importance of the Continuing education, familiarization trips and onboard visitsinviting dozens of agents each season to sail on the cruises to experience the product firsthand and be able to sell it with greater knowledge.
On an operational level, emphasis is placed on practical recommendations for passengers, such as Arrive at the port several hours in advance, bring a carry-on bag with a change of clothes and a swimsuit, and have a credit card or cash available to open an onboard credit account. And, on specific routes such as Caribe Legendario, you may need to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate or visas required for certain ports such as Puerto Limón, depending on your nationality.
All-inclusive, gastronomy and air connectivity
One of the shipping company's major competitive advantages is its all-inclusive productThis format is highly valued by Latin American travelers, who prefer to travel with their expenses practically finalized from the moment of booking. Meals, dinners and a wide selection of drinksallowing for better control of the travel budget.
In terms of gastronomy, Pullmantur cruises have collaborated with Spanish chef Paco RonceroMichelin-starred chef, to design proposals adapted to the Spanish-speaking taste, with fresh products and enough variety to satisfy both those looking for international dishes and those who prefer closer flavors.
Air connectivity also plays a key role. Over the years, the company has worked with partner airlines and with the Wamos group, successor to Pullmantur Air and Pullmantur Caribe, to offer packages where the customer can book in a single transaction the flight, cruise, transfers and complimentary hotel nightsThis is reinforced by specific charter departures from Latin American cities, facilitating access to the Caribbean for an audience seeking simplicity and clarity in the final price.
It is clear that the combination of New routes through the Caribbean, all-inclusive product, ships adapted to the Spanish-speaking market and a strong presence in Latin America has made Pullmantur one of the benchmarks for those who want to discover the colors and flavors of the Caribbean by sailing from ports such as Colón, Cartagena or Santo Domingo with services designed in Spanish from beginning to end.