Smurf2017
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Posts posted by Smurf2017
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55 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:
So awful to see this picture of Sovereign and Monarch on the beach awaiting dismantling. And so strange to see a ship purposefully beaching itself. Sorry I never got to sail on Pullmantur.
Never say never. Some of us are hanging onto FCC in the hope that something may still be saved. Pullmantur are still taking bookings through to 2022 but NOT taking any money at this stage of the booking process.
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3 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
Someone representing Pullmantur posted the above photo, cropped a little, on their LinkedIn page yesterday with the words (I have omitted the Spanish version),
"Today the Monarch and Sovereign reach the end of their journey. A long time of sailing full of joy, emotions, conversations, stories ... a journey full of life; a great place for family reunions, vacations that thousands of passengers dream of; cozy homes for the large family of crew members: without them, our passengers' experience would never have been the same. Monarch and Sovereign, you will always be part of our company's history. We continue to work to get back in operation as soon as possible. This is our greatest desire."
The last part is the most significant to those of us holding reservations.
I totally agree with your optimism there Tim. Yesterday my girlfriend received her email from Pullmantur and I now realise that they are addressing us as, "Dear Future Passenger." I do hope so.
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3 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
I have now had the email from my cruise agent in the US and contains the same wording from Royal Caribbean as posted my Smurf2017 on 13th July above. Clicking on the form link and then the terms and conditions there are these words (Google translation):
"If you have a qualifying cruise booking that Pullmantur has not yet canceled and you accept the Offer, your acceptance of the Offer will result in the cancellation of your cruise booking with Pullmantur."
At present, Pullmantur have only cancelled cruises to 15th November (ours is 14th March), so we too are going to wait and see if Pullmantur 'reorganises' and makes their own offer before the deadline for accepting the RCL offer (20th September).
Thanks for posting that Tim. I never followed the link to accept the voucher as I wasn't interested. Now what I read there bears out your post from 13 July when you said, "The implication is that your Pullmantur voucher will still be valid if you do not accept the RCL (strictly RCG) offer. Pullmantur may rise from the ashes with different ownership."
Now this is getting interesting. More so since we are still able to book cruises on the Spanish version of the website. Only interiors available on your cruise from Dubai Tim at a cost of €1007 p.p. We can even have flights MAD/DUB and ATH/MAD for €390!
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47 minutes ago, Skipper Tim said:
Horizon has left Piraeus :-(
A photo of the three Pullmantur ships together and being picked apart on the beach of Aliaga would be worth a fortune for decades to come. A sign of our times.
Sad days Tim!
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Just come across this. How sad...
"Turkish recyclers to feast on Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise ships"
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7 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
Don't make me jealous. I used to have a house in Torrox, Andalucia. Then the tapas were free but I had to get drunk to have a good meal 🙂
"Pullmantur or nothing" - totally agreed. We will wait.
Oh my! We loved Torrox and nearly bought there but finally settled the other side of Malaga in Coin. That was back then now I'm in Central Portugal and wishing I was back in Andalucia.
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21 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
Very interesting and thanks for sharing that.
I won't be accepting the Royal Caribbean offer, if it is forthcoming, but rather wait to see if the reborn Pullmantur offer anything instead. Knowing we could be in for a long wait is helpful. My party have only risked US$60 each on the cruise anyway but I was looking forward to the Spanish vibe & wine, the Arabian & Suez itinerary, low solo-occupancy supplements, all-inclusive drinks and tips and having the best accommodation I have ever had on a ship. I have ploughed through the RC & Celebrity itineraries and nothing remotely competes, even with a 25% bribe.
If Pullmantur 'reorganizes' and makes an offer to its previously booked clients, I will be all ears as I am sure their main market - the Spanish - will be.
We're in a similar situation with only €100 each in jeopardy. Let's see what develops by the September 20 deadline, but I'll certainly be trying to push my other half to hang on for the phoenix to do its thing for all the same reasons that you have stated. Really it's Pullmantur or nothing for me at the moment. Meanwhile, it's only a shortish drive across the border to Seville for us and the best tapas bars and flamenco spots going for our money.
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8 hours ago, woodscruise said:
I was using MarineTraffic AIS.
is another.
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19 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
"To me, this is the most interesting line.
The implication is that your Pullmantur voucher will still be valid if you do not accept the RCL (strictly RCG) offer. Pullmantur may rise from the ashes with different ownership."
Tim. I replied to my contact at Pullmantur asking if they had any idea how long the reorganization request would take to get a decision. Here is their reply:
"In your case it's maybe better to wait. However I think it might take some time to see what will happen. First of all the courts need to assign an administrator to be on the head of Pullmantur and then our president and his team need to present the plan of reorganization and then they decide whether there is a way to continue or not. I haven't heard nothing about the administrator yet and I am afraid if we don't get him this month, in August it won't happen either, because you know how it's the August here, nothing is done in August. That is why I think it will take time.
The only thing that surprised me, is that erte (Spanish furlough) is approved by the government untill 30.9. and what I've got from HR it says I am off until end of August with a possibility of prolongation until 30.9.I thought it was strange to keep this window a little bit opened just in case.So, what I wanted to say is that nobody knows how long it will take to have some answers, and especially with COVID-19 situation, I think a lot of companies are waiting for the same thing. However you never know if there is someone with connections or if they decide to give priority to big companies...." -
I've just heard from my contact at Pullmantur who is currently furloughed at home.
They say, "I think the best thing to do is to claim the money and see what happens. Since nobody knows whether Pullmantur will survive or not, it's better to get the money back and buy again. The hope still exists but it's going to be really hard.
Some of my clients already claimed the refund and they said it's not hard.If you need assistance my collegues are working but I would recommend you to wait a week or so, because this first days will be crazy."My highlighting. -
1 hour ago, Skipper Tim said:
This appeared on YouTube overnight.
Thanks Tim. A great video with some interesting onboard shots of the Naples stridown there. Almost a tissue moment at the end.
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4 minutes ago, Skipper Tim said:
Many thanks for sharing that Smurf2017.
To me, this is the most interesting line.
The implication is that your Pullmantur voucher will still be valid if you do not accept the RCL (strictly RCG) offer. Pullmantur may rise from the ashes with different ownership.
My cruise agents is US-based so there may be time delay before I hear anything from them. I will share whatever info I receive - if anything!
I see Monarch and Infinity have finished their rendezvous and are now heading opposite directions.
Well spotted Tim. We've decided to leave it to September to make any decision just to see how things develop. I look forward to hearing your news when it comes. We were dealing with Pullmantur directly so yours may be a little while yet.
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I've just received my email and it's goodbye Pullmantur. Sorry Tim. To reiterate, we were originally booked for June this year. We were offered our deposit against a future cruise and €100 OBC so we booked for the Holy Land next May. This is the email received a little while ago. I took a very quick look through before lunch and will now go back to try to make sense of it all:
Madrid, July 13, 2020
Dear Future Passenger,
We contact you to share important information related to Pullmantur Cruises.
Thus, the company has started a reorganization process based on the measures provided for by the Spanish bankruptcy regulations.
This decision has been made due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the cruise operation, suspended since March 13, as well as the legal measures to limit movement adopted in the different countries.
The commitment to the health and safety of our passengers forced us to extend the suspension of activity until November 15, 2020, due to the situation of uncertainty regarding both the evolution of COVID-19, and the way in which that you can travel once the restrictions imposed by the different countries are lifted.
In relation to the bonuses offered in previous communications, we will send you an update of their terms below.
UPGRADE
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. offers you the following options that will be managed directly by Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises (both brands are part of the Royal Caribbean (RCL) group):- A new bonus (Future Cruise Credit - FCC) of 125% calculated on the amount paid for your cabin rate , applicable on Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises cruises.
Any other amount paid to Pullmantur, such as taxes and other charges (unless included in the cabin rate), airline tickets, hotel, service and administration charges and other optional services, will be added to the bonus (Future Cruises Credit - FCC) 100%. Only the cabin fee - which corresponds to the main part of the cost - will be calculated at 125%.
This bonus (Future Cruises Credit- FCC) will allow you to make a new reservation before December 31, 2021 for a cruise with Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises, with departure before April 30, 2022. The bonus (Future Cruises Credit- FCC) may not be used on departures that coincide with Christmas and New Years, nor on charter departures ( chartered sailings ) or on group contracts ( contracted groups ).- 100% refund: Or, if you prefer the refund of the amount already paid to Pullmantur - whose value is less than the previously offered bonus - RCL will proceed to make such refund.
If you have received or have been announced to send a voucher by Pullmantur, in case you accept the RCL offer, the Pullmantur voucher will be null and void.
In order to manage your preference as soon as possible, you must complete and send to Royal Caribbean the form provided here , no later than September 20, 2020, indicating whether you prefer the Future Cruises Credit-FCC bonus of 125% or the 100% refund of the amount paid. Once RCL has this information, you will receive the refund or the bonus (Future Cruises Credit-FCC) within 90 and 45 days respectively. RCL will process your personal data sent in accordance with its data privacy policy that you can find here .
As always, if you have any questions, you can contact us:country Phone number E-mail Spain 900 835 055 contactoclientes@pullmantur.es We deeply regret this situation, as well as the inconvenience caused, and we thank you once again for your continued patience and understanding.
A cordial greeting,
The Pullmantur Team
PS Do not hesitate to visit royalcaribbean.com and celebritycruises.com to know your product and the available outlets. -
1 hour ago, Skipper Tim said:
We knew that Pullmantur crew were being transferred to Celebrity but I didn't think they would do it at sea!
🤣🤣🤣
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7 minutes ago, Cruiseguy85 said:
First post here, Ive been lurking for a few weeks. Huge fan of Sovereign of the seas. That was my first cruise. Heartbroken to hear it will be scrapped!!
I think Ive found a webcam with the ship in the background at the port in Malta. Can anyone confirm?
https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/malta/malta/birzebbuga/st-georges-bay.htmlToo difficult to see, but I wanted to say thanks for introducing me to a great webcam site.
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2 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
The Monarch is on her last journey. She will reach Aliağa 'ship recycling facility', just North of Izmir, today.
The Horizon and Sovereign remain docked in Piraeus, Greece and Birzebbugia, Malta, respectively, for now.
Thanks Tim.
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2 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
It looks like Monarch refuelled in Malta and is now half-way to Greece, steaming at 16 knots. Why such a hurry after 10 days of drifting around?
So refuelled and with that course now looks set for the Aliaga navy yard in Turkey that was previously mentioned. Sovereign is now docked possibly for similar reasons?
Perhaps the 10 day ballet off the coast of Malta was just treading water (sorry!) waiting for docks to become available in Aliaga?
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Will spotted Tim. I've dropped Alex a line to ask if he has any other info to share with us.
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Sovereign has popped up on Marine Traffic knitting spaghetti off the NE coast of Malta with Monarch circling nearby.
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1 hour ago, Skipper Tim said:
"Here is the latest gossip about Pullmantur:
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...(The Sovereign appears to have switched off its 'transponder')."
Or sold it to the highest bidder!
Sorry Tim! Only joking and once again, thanks for keeping us in the loop.
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On 7/2/2020 at 11:07 AM, Skipper Tim said:
Here is the daily dose of Pullmantur news :-( According to this report,
Pullmantur customers will be offered a refund of any monies paid or 125% future cruise credit on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity departures up to 30th April 2022, increased by 100% of any out-of-pocket expenses such as non-refundable flight fares, hotel costs etc.. Apparently a web portal is being set up especially for travel agents and customers to claim, either way.
Because of the bargain that Pullmantur, all-inclusive, early-booking rates were, if this report is true, it is quite a disappointment to me. Neither Royal Caribbean nor Celebrity have any itinerary as remotely attractive and I would lose the all-inclusive, the Spanish vibe and my 'Grand Suite'. I shall await the offer.
I am hoping that Pullmantur rises from the ashes, the Grandeur transfer goes ahead and I can have a cruise on her on similar terms to the one booked. We shall see.
Thanks again Tim. I'm not quite making sense of the article you posted, so will wait either for my email or until the website reffered to is up and running. From the comments under the article it appears neither the agents or Joe Public are able to access it yet.
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24 minutes ago, Skipper Tim said:
Maybe, just maybe, my old friend the Grandeur of the Seas will be transferred to Pulmantur as scheduled and we will be offered the reverse direction sailing in October/November 2021. I am not sure I could go back to the hard-sell of Royal Caribbean - my defences have weakened through lack of practice. Still, if it were all-inclusive and they have me a badge or hat to tell the crew not to pester me me, I could consider it.
My memories of Grandeur are from the first year that she sailed. Those halcyon days with no speciality dining and midnight chocolate buffets and ice carvings. The only soft sell was from photography, but never intrusive.
The latest from my contact within Pullmantur was yesterday. They said that the company does not want to close so has submitted reorganisation plans to the Spanish government. If they do not accept the plan, then the company will fold.
I raised the point about cruises still being offered for sale on Pullmantur's European websites and they confirmed that was the case and that staff had not been told anything about cancelling the remainder of the season. They stressed that while you can book anything, no payment at all is required until 26 days before departure. That has given them hope that there is an alternative plan in place. I sincerely hope they are not disappointed.
With conditions like that, I might just get the 'brochure' out again. There's nothing to lose, not even a deposit.
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58 minutes ago, Skipper Tim said:
From cruisenews.es (translated by Google):
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The Monarch has left Naples, where she was stripped of all valuable machinery, and will be followed by the Sovereign, which is still disembarking goods in the Italian city. The final destination of both is the scrapping at the Aliaga naval scrapping platform in Turkey.
The Horizon, meanwhile, will stop in the next few days in Athens to land all the valuable material and will also head towards Aliaga, where it will be dismantled.
Pullmantur sources comment that despite the loss of their current ships, which are owned by Royal Caribbean, they will continue to seek viability for the company. This viability could come from operating with other ships that the Royal Caribbean group could make available to it, or exploring other business opportunities.
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Well spotted Tim. Thanks for sharing.
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3 hours ago, Skipper Tim said:
I heard back from my cruise agents, American Discount Cruises, re. Pullmantur and my March repo booking on Horizon. The only information is that there will be more information either at the end of this week or early next. My cruise agents say they will chase them up.
Thanks for the update Tim. Please keep us posted with any other news. I will do likewise of course.
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Pullmantur Ships for sale.
in Pullmantur Cruises
Posted
Did you ever hear back from the photographer in Piraeus Tim? I didn't. I would love to know why Horizon docked there and whether she was stripped of valuables as were the other two in Naples.