RCCL to Expand Celebrity’s Expeditions Brand with Ship Swap

Celebrity Cruises and Pullmantur will engage in a ship swap that will expand Celebrity’s Expeditions brand, Royal Caribbean Cruises said.

RCCL said that it received antitrust approval from Spain and Portugal for its purchase of Madrid-based cruise and tour operator Pullmantur.

It will now move Pullmantur’s ship the Blue Dream to the Expeditions fleet, renaming it the Celebrity Journey, and send Celebrity’s Zenith to Pullmantur.

RCCL said that rounding out the Celebrity brand has been a strong focus for the company, and the expansion of Celebrity Expeditions furthers that strategic objective.

The 718-guest Blue Dream will join Celebrity’s fleet in April 2007, sailing Bermuda itineraries from Bayonne, NJ, beginning May 5.

Before the switch, the ship will undergo a one-month revitalization and drydock to incorporate Celebrity’s signature elements such as two specialty restaurants, expanded spa services, including in-room offerings, expanded concierge service, including butlers, and additional guest suites.

The Zenith will sail seven-night Mediterranean cruises between Athens and Venice. It will operate Caribbean itineraries until mid-April from Tampa, Fla., at which time it will operate a final Caribbean and Bermuda itinerary from Tampa to Cape Liberty in Bayonne.

All guests currently holding bookings on the Zenith to Bermuda will be contacted by Celebrity representatives to transfer existing reservations to similar accommodations on the Celebrity Journey, RCCL said.