Pullmantur has decided to invest heavily in the Latin American market and has designed two new Caribbean routes, Legendary Caribbean and Caribbean Islands, which will be launched in the last quarter of 2016. In addition to these routes, there will be new embarkation ports, updated menus, more dining options, excursions, and different shows.
For 2016, Pullmantur is offering the Antilles & Southern Caribbean itinerary, an 8-night cruise visiting the ports of Cartagena de Indias, Colón, Aruba, Curaçao, and La Guaira. Departures are on October 2nd and 29th.
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New Pullmantur routes through the Caribbean for the Latin American market
The Caribbean Islands itinerary, aboard the Zenith, is designed for those who wish to discover the more natural side of the Eastern Caribbean, with captivating landscapes in Santo Domingo, La Romana, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados. The Zenith is a modern, 12-deck ship with a capacity for nearly 1900 passengers (1877 according to some sources) and a crew of around 620 (other sources 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, Legendary Caribbean, will be available from November 4th until April 28th, 2017. Aboard the Monarch, this route offers a perfect blend of history and beaches, visiting Puerto Limón, Colón, Cartagena de Indias, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. As with the Caribbean Islands route, Pullmantur also offers flights from Madrid.
Currently, and according to information provided by various agencies and wholesalers, Pullmantur's operations cover the southern, eastern, and western Caribbean , significantly boosting the Latin American market. Ports such as Colón (Panama), Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) have become strategic embarkation hubs thanks to their air connectivity, as many of the ports on the itinerary do not require visas for most Latin American passengers.
In this endeavor, the shipping company has developed various package deals for markets such as Peru or Ecuador, combining included flights, transfers, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights, and guided tours such as city tours or excursions to the Panama Canal, always under the all-inclusive formula that 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 variety of Pullmantur's 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 usually offer, through Latin American wholesalers, comprehensive 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 of choice for the most popular itineraries among Latin American travelers, such as Legendary Caribbean and Southern Caribbean and Antilles, thanks to its size and spacious common areas. Commercial packages from several Latin American countries have used it as a benchmark for offering special departures with charter flights and additional shore 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 to the Caribbean Islands and Barbados and Caribbean Islands and St. Maarten itineraries , focusing 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 required changes to some ports of call and the order of visits to ensure passenger safety and enjoyment.
In these cases, Pullmantur informed travel agencies of the operational changes, replacing stops at affected islands such as Dominica and Saint Maarten and adjusting the length of stay in ports like St. Kitts. The official recommendation was always to consult with the travel agent or directly with the cruise line for details on the updated embarkation port, schedules, and any possible itinerary changes.
Strategy in Latin America and product concept
According to Pullmantur Cruises CEO Jorge Vilches, “Latin America plays a very significant role in Pullmantur’s strategy, representing nearly half of our passengers.” He also announced that the company is currently developing a new concept, “ Moved by You ,” a proposal to enhance the passenger experience in areas that are important to them.
Other company executives have indicated that the Latin American market could represent around 40% of revenue , with countries like Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela playing a key role. The choice of Colón as a home port is justified by the excellent connectivity of Copa Airlines' hub, the country's streamlined administrative processes, 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 continuous training, familiarization trips, and onboard visits , inviting 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, practical recommendations are emphasized for passengers, such as arriving at the port several hours in advance, carrying a hand luggage bag with a change of clothes and a swimsuit, having a credit card or cash to open a credit card on board and, on specific routes such as Caribe Legendario, having a yellow fever vaccination certificate or visas required for certain ports such as Puerto Limón, depending on nationality.
All-inclusive, gastronomy and air connectivity
One of the cruise line's major competitive advantages is its all-inclusive product , highly valued by Latin American travelers who prefer to have their expenses practically fixed from the moment they book. This format includes lunches, dinners, and a wide selection of drinks , allowing for better control of the travel budget.
In terms of gastronomy, Pullmantur cruises have collaborated with Spanish chef Paco Roncero , holder of Michelin stars, 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 the Wamos Group, successor to Pullmantur Air and Pullmantur Caribe , to offer packages where customers can book their flight, cruise, transfers, and complimentary hotel nights all in one go . This is further enhanced by dedicated charter departures from Latin American cities, making the Caribbean more accessible to travelers seeking simplicity and clear pricing.
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 wish to discover the colors and flavors of the Caribbean sailing from ports such as Colón, Cartagena or Santo Domingo with services designed in Spanish from beginning to end.