Madrid, October 26, 2017 – Pullmantur Cruises premieres today “ The True Story of a Great Guy,” a moving documentary based on the real-life experience of Antonio Benedico , a 93-year-old watchmaker from Barcelona who, after a difficult 2006, decided to embark on a cruise. Today, Antonio has taken 33 cruises with the company in seven years and says that Pullmantur “saved his life .” The documentary was filmed in early October aboard the Sovereign during a once-in-a-lifetime voyage.
After overcoming the illness that had prevented Antonio from traveling, Pullmantur Cruises decided to return the affection and thank him for his loyalty shown during these years with a surprise: to reproduce his home room in one of the cabins of the Sovereign ship so that he would feel, even more, at home while enjoying a very special trip through the Mediterranean, full of unique and unforgettable moments with his daughter and granddaughter.
Among them, highlights include a personalized welcome both at the Barcelona port terminal and on board, or being named Honorary Ambassador of Pullmantur Cruises during an event held in the Sovereign theater before the watchful eyes of nearly 900 passengers.
“Before learning Antonio’s story, I was fully aware of the professional and personal qualities of our crew. Without a doubt, Benedico’s words confirm the strong bonds that can be forged between our guests and crew, our greatest treasure and the key to our success,” says Richard J. Vogel, President & CEO of Pullmantur Cruises.
Furthermore, Vogel adds: “I am especially proud that we have contributed to a man as charismatic as Antonio, who has lived through so many good and not-so-good moments, finding his home on our ships and true travel companions in our crew, and a reason that drives him to be happy.”
Antonio & Pullmantur Cruises
Antonio's relationship with Pullmantur Cruises began in 2009, when he decided to embark on a cruise to try and forget 2006, a year he'd rather forget. Since then, Antonio's life has been inextricably linked to Pullmantur Cruises and its crew, whom he considers "his other family.".
Benedico's affection for the shipping company is so profound that he doesn't hesitate to say: "When I die, I want you to scatter my ashes into the sea from the stern of the Sovereign."
