SweetsugarNL Posted September 7, 2017 #51 Share Posted September 7, 2017 (edited) Hello, Im looking to the Pullmantur canaries cruise on 27 december with the Horizon. We are first timers. Is this worth the high price? Normally these cruises are a lot cheaper. We would like to do a cruise in Europe in this period and there is not many choice, We can also choose the Aida Prima but thats a lot expensiever. Im dreaming on a cruise with a big RCL ship like harmony of the seas so im not sure off the Horizon aswell Pullmantur is the right choice for us. Edited September 7, 2017 by SweetsugarNL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SpainAlien Posted September 7, 2017 #52 Share Posted September 7, 2017 I will report back after my cruise on Horizon but that won't be until the middle of October, when do you have to make a decision? Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westview1900 Posted September 7, 2017 #53 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Hello,Im looking to the Pullmantur canaries cruise on 27 december with the Horizon. We are first timers. Is this worth the high price? Normally these cruises are a lot cheaper. We would like to do a cruise in Europe in this period and there is not many choice, We can also choose the Aida Prima but thats a lot expensiever. Im dreaming on a cruise with a big RCL ship like harmony of the seas so im not sure off the Horizon aswell Pullmantur is the right choice for us. The issue is the time you plan to cruise. The week after Christmas is expensive on cruise lines in general. If you can change your travel time to between Thanksgiving and Christmas or January, you would probably save money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetsugarNL Posted September 7, 2017 #54 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Thank you. Yes iknow but we can only in summer or christmass period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terry&mike Posted September 17, 2017 #55 Share Posted September 17, 2017 I just booked a Fjords of the North (to the coast of Norway) cruise on Pullmantur Zenith for May 26, 2018, for DH and I. I like the itinerary, and booked a category that has access to the Black Waves program. I'm interested to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan&Gilda@Rio Posted September 22, 2017 #56 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I've opened a thread for our roll call on October 12th (Monarch): http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2543235 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westview1900 Posted September 23, 2017 #57 Share Posted September 23, 2017 I've opened a thread for the 4/23/18 Pullmantur Sovereign from Barcelona. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2528621&highlight=Sovereign Best regards, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISLABONITA Posted September 24, 2017 #58 Share Posted September 24, 2017 We are on the transatlantic in May from Colon to Lisbon. Like others I would recommend a suite as you get lots of extras (Junior Suite is not included). This will be our 3rd Cruise with this company and the previous 2 have been great, they are also excellent value for money. We also got a free upgrade from a Grand Suite to a De-luxe suite. I know it's been awhile but what ship were you on that Junior Suite didn't count for extras? I am looking online for the Zenith JT with balcony and it has some access to the Waves Club ( White) and it also has Service Luxe which has many extras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valencia expat Posted September 25, 2017 #59 Share Posted September 25, 2017 Hi Islabonita I know that Junior Suites get extra benefits now with the new white system. It was introduced on our cruise on Monarch in May this year. I cannot comment on white benefits as we were Black on that cruise. We were not over impressed with the new benefits as they had taken away some of the existing benefits, there was a charge for Room Service (including breakfast) which in the past had been free. no free tokens for Casino etc. The new system was not easy for staff to operate especially in the Waves Club because of the different benefit entitlements between the new Black & White. This was our third cruise with Pullmantur, we had always highly recommended their product, after this cruise we are in no rush to take another. Hopefully they have got their act together again and you will have a good cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISLABONITA Posted September 25, 2017 #60 Share Posted September 25, 2017 We just returned from a Pullantur cruise on the Zenith, and were very disappointed. This was our fifth Pullmantur cruise and we had booked the Royal Suite with balcony.The balcony was unusable because it was always flooded from water that had been used to clean the deck above and needed daily vacuuming of the water. The toilets were erratic and they did not want you to flush toilet paper down them. In addition they did not provide facial tissue in the cabin, you needed to have brought your own. Our air conditioning did not work at first and needed repair and our door key did not work and required a carpenter/electrician to replace the entire locking system. The food in the dining room was the poorest we have had on any cruise in terms of quality and variety.. The good things were that with the Royal Suite we had access to a small Waves Yacht Club such as is on the Monarch. There we had free internet too. Also we had a private deck area to sun on and very good old Celebrity teak lounge chairs. We also got a good bottle of Cava or Prosecco daily and a fresh fruit basket each other day. They also gave us Todo wrist bands so we had access to all the premium drinks but some wines were not available or very limited as they did not get their full order when they departed Santo Domingo. Prior to this cruise we had already booked another Pullmantur cruise for the fall on the Monarch and hope it will be better. What cabin number is that? Thanks Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISLABONITA Posted September 25, 2017 #61 Share Posted September 25, 2017 We just returned from a Pullantur cruise on the Zenith, and were very disappointed. This was our fifth Pullmantur cruise and we had booked the Royal Suite with balcony.The balcony was unusable because it was always flooded from water that had been used to clean the deck above and needed daily vacuuming of the water. The toilets were erratic and they did not want you to flush toilet paper down them. In addition they did not provide facial tissue in the cabin, you needed to have brought your own. Our air conditioning did not work at first and needed repair and our door key did not work and required a carpenter/electrician to replace the entire locking system. The food in the dining room was the poorest we have had on any cruise in terms of quality and variety.. The good things were that with the Royal Suite we had access to a small Waves Yacht Club such as is on the Monarch. There we had free internet too. Also we had a private deck area to sun on and very good old Celebrity teak lounge chairs. We also got a good bottle of Cava or Prosecco daily and a fresh fruit basket each other day. They also gave us Todo wrist bands so we had access to all the premium drinks but some wines were not available or very limited as they did not get their full order when they departed Santo Domingo. Prior to this cruise we had already booked another Pullmantur cruise for the fall on the Monarch and hope it will be better. We just returned from a Pullantur cruise on the Zenith, and were very disappointed. This was our fifth Pullmantur cruise and we had booked the Royal Suite with balcony.The balcony was unusable because it was always flooded from water that had been used to clean the deck above and needed daily vacuuming of the water. The toilets were erratic and they did not want you to flush toilet paper down them. In addition they did not provide facial tissue in the cabin, you needed to have brought your own. Our air conditioning did not work at first and needed repair and our door key did not work and required a carpenter/electrician to replace the entire locking system. The food in the dining room was the poorest we have had on any cruise in terms of quality and variety.. The good things were that with the Royal Suite we had access to a small Waves Yacht Club such as is on the Monarch. There we had free internet too. Also we had a private deck area to sun on and very good old Celebrity teak lounge chairs. We also got a good bottle of Cava or Prosecco daily and a fresh fruit basket each other day. They also gave us Todo wrist bands so we had access to all the premium drinks but some wines were not available or very limited as they did not get their full order when they departed Santo Domingo. Prior to this cruise we had already booked another Pullmantur cruise for the fall on the Monarch and hope it will be better. What was your cabin#? Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Plato123 Posted September 29, 2017 #62 Share Posted September 29, 2017 1117, and you can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vuOMLbeaLw&t=52s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Plato123 Posted September 29, 2017 #63 Share Posted September 29, 2017 1117, and you can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vuOMLbeaLw&t=52s Also we had to cancel our planned cruise on the Monarch this fall due to health reasons and it is available again next year on the Zenith so we will pass on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulnKarl Posted October 29, 2017 #64 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Just returned from the Zenith (Oct 21-28). Unlike other posts our experience was great. I've posted a review on the main review page. Thinking about doing this again as Pullmantur will not return to Santo Domingo for the 2018-19 season. Last cruise will be March 31, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terry&mike Posted October 30, 2017 #65 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Just returned from the Zenith (Oct 21-28). Unlike other posts our experience was great. I've posted a review on the main review page. Thinking about doing this again as Pullmantur will not return to Santo Domingo for the 2018-19 season. Last cruise will be March 31, Hello PaulnKarl, I am excited to read your review on the Zenith, but could not find it under ship reviews (the most recent I'm seeing is from July 2017). Am I missing something, or has CC not posted it yet? Many thanks, Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulnKarl Posted October 30, 2017 #66 Share Posted October 30, 2017 (edited) I think they wait 24 hours before posting. In summary, this was the best value cruise we have done. One has to accept that Pullmantur ships don't dock in US ports for a reason - they would likely fail CDC standards, but the Zenith was clean and comfortable, and having a smaller crowd (few US travelers) a great sense of ambiance. They will seat English speakers together at dinner if requested. Given the itinerary - the back to back cruise visits 8 islands plus offers excursions in Santo Domingo and most drinks included - no other cruise line comes near in terms of value. I think having to travel to Dominican Republic is the greatest challenge but if you're able bodied and adventurous, the challenge is easily overcome. Edited October 30, 2017 by PaulnKarl Spell check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terry&mike Posted October 30, 2017 #67 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I think they wait 24 hours before posting. In summary, this was the best value cruise we have done. One has to accept that Pullmantur ships don't dock in US ports for a reason - they would likely fail CDC standards, but the Zenith was clean and comfortable, and having a smaller crowd (few US travelers) a great sense of ambiance. They will seat English speakers together at dinner if requested. Given the itinerary - the back to back cruise visits 8 islands plus offers excursions in Santo Domingo and most drinks included - no other cruise line comes near in terms of value. I think having to travel to Dominican Republic is the greatest challenge but if you're able bodied and adventurous, the challenge is easily overcome. Wonderful! Thank you for posting. We are booked on the Zenith for a Coastal Norway cruise in May, in a cabin with the Waves Black perks. Although I've been on many different lines, I've never sailed Pullmantur, and am looking forward to giving it a try. As you said, the value is great, and I'm not scared of a little adventure when I travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulnKarl Posted October 31, 2017 #68 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Received confirmation that Cruise Critic received my review - it will be posted in due course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terry&mike Posted November 2, 2017 #69 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Received confirmation that Cruise Critic received my review - it will be posted in due course. I keep checking for it, but haven't seen it. Hopefully soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulnKarl Posted November 3, 2017 #70 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Here's a summary of my review of the Zenith (Oct 21-28) - We were surprised. Gave it 4 stars. The outside of the ship is well weathered. Traces of the old Celebrity wooden loungers are on the top deck. The balconies were ok, but often wet either from weather or swabbing the deck (we were on Deck 11). The only complaint about the cabin was the small shower. The inside of the ship was great. There have been many upgrades. The photo shop has state of the art equipment. The coffee lounge was a favourite of ours. Buffet food was great plus an outside grill on the rear terrace was open most of the day. Although the buffet is smaller there are great places to sit on the rear tiers (from Deck 11-8). No food is served after 10 p.m. though 2nd dining is at 9.30 p.m., and the one show in the theatre is between 1st and 2nd dining. No specialty restaurants. The included beverages are quite extensive but doesn't include bottled water, sodas and only one beer brand. They sell an all inclusive drinks package for $70, but most supplements are $1 or $2, so you have to drink a lot to get through $70. Spanish is the primary language though it is translated into English and Portuguese. Many crew speak English. The ambiance was great. Crew of all levels are frequently seen in the public areas. The Animation Team (Entertainment team) were great fun. We have sailed all major cruise lines, but found this especially relaxed. Maybe it was the small ship, or friendly crew - maybe because there was little hard selling. Not an abundance of activities. We didn't use the casino, but it never seemed busy. We chose this for the itinerary - more on this in my main review. Sad that Pullmantur will not be returning to Santo Domingo next season. We're thinking about doing the alternate itinerary in March before the ship heads back to Europe. That's how much we loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terry&mike Posted November 3, 2017 #71 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Here's a summary of my review of the Zenith (Oct 21-28) - We were surprised. Gave it 4 stars. The outside of the ship is well weathered. Traces of the old Celebrity wooden loungers are on the top deck. The balconies were ok, but often wet either from weather or swabbing the deck (we were on Deck 11). The only complaint about the cabin was the small shower. The inside of the ship was great. There have been many upgrades. The photo shop has state of the art equipment. The coffee lounge was a favourite of ours. Buffet food was great plus an outside grill on the rear terrace was open most of the day. Although the buffet is smaller there are great places to sit on the rear tiers (from Deck 11-8). No food is served after 10 p.m. though 2nd dining is at 9.30 p.m., and the one show in the theatre is between 1st and 2nd dining. No specialty restaurants. The included beverages are quite extensive but doesn't include bottled water, sodas and only one beer brand. They sell an all inclusive drinks package for $70, but most supplements are $1 or $2, so you have to drink a lot to get through $70. Spanish is the primary language though it is translated into English and Portuguese. Many crew speak English. The ambiance was great. Crew of all levels are frequently seen in the public areas. The Animation Team (Entertainment team) were great fun. We have sailed all major cruise lines, but found this especially relaxed. Maybe it was the small ship, or friendly crew - maybe because there was little hard selling. Not an abundance of activities. We didn't use the casino, but it never seemed busy. We chose this for the itinerary - more on this in my main review. Sad that Pullmantur will not be returning to Santo Domingo next season. We're thinking about doing the alternate itinerary in March before the ship heads back to Europe. That's how much we loved it. Thank you, I appreciate your taking the time! Looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulnKarl Posted November 3, 2017 #72 Share Posted November 3, 2017 (edited) Thank you, I appreciate your taking the time! Looking forward to it. The most bizarre thing that we didn't think about is that excursions are done in Spanish - bizarre when you're English speaking visiting an English speaking country. However Pullmantur provide a Spanish speaking guide, but most destination hosts were happy to do the tour in English and let the Pullmantor guide translate.:cool: A number of US passengers we spoke with took independent tours and had no problems. Edited November 3, 2017 by PaulnKarl Additional info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadethegringo Posted November 3, 2017 #73 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Have sailed Pullmantur three times, one on the Horizon and twice on the Monarch. All were great experiences. Just sailed last month and they gave me an offer I cant resist on the Sovereign out of Spain. They have the best deals in my opinion. The shows were great..dint go to the comedy or the captions night but the other shows were great, ABBA, Rock n Roll, and a couple of ballets. Staff was very helpful, food was good, room was nice. Looking forward to sailing them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOnymously Posted November 3, 2017 #74 Share Posted November 3, 2017 The way forward is independent shore tours then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted November 3, 2017 #75 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Same on Mein Schiff, guides speak German unless no local guides are available who speak German, then it's English. I would be lost with Spanish, have only very basic reading skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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