Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced the transfer of Monarch of the Seas from its Royal Caribbean International cruise brand to its Pullmantur brand, a cruise and tour operator based in Madrid, Spain.

Monarch of the Seas will transfer to Pullmantur on April 1st 2013, following its last sailing for Royal Caribbean International, which departs on March 29th 2013.

“We are very proud of Monarch of the Seas for delivering great service and outstanding destinations to holidaymakers from its maiden voyage,” said Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International.

“The ship will go on creating wonderful travel memories through her final sailings for our brand through next March and then continue doing the same for Pullmantur’s guests.”

With the incorporation of Monarch of the Seas, Pullmantur will increase its total guest capacity by nearly 25 per cent and meet a rising demand for the brand’s distinctive all-inclusive cruise holidays.

‘The transfer of Monarch of the Seas will reinforce Pullmantur in our Latin American growth strategy, and help us become one of the most widely recognised brands,’’ said Pullmantur’s president, Gonzalo Chico Barbier.

Monarch of the Seas

Monarch of the Seas was built at Chantiers de L’Atlantique (now STX France) in St. Nazaire, France and sailed its maiden voyage on November 17th 1991.

The ship is part of the Sovereign class of cruise ships, which were the world’s largest and most innovative at the time.

Pullmantur is the leading Spanish tour operator and cruise company, founded in 1971, and famous for introducing the ‘All Inclusive’ concept to cruising.

Pullmantur is leader in the cruise market in Spain and Portugal and currently operating a fleet of four vessels with a daily passenger capacity of 9,000.