At the end of 2017 the ship underwent a thorough revitalization process, lasting 3 weeks, at the Navantia-Cadiz Shipyard.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
The new “5 Wonders of the Mediterranean” route allows you to visit some of the most emblematic places of the Mare Nostrum in a renovated Sovereign, with a new The Waves Club, changes in decoration and the gastronomy of Paco Roncero.
Pullmantur Cruises has once again entrusted the Navantia Shipyard in Cádiz with the refurbishment of its ship, the Sovereign. The cruise line began working with Navantia in 2012 and, since then, has carried out dry dock work at its facilities on eight occasions.
“Once again, we have placed our trust in the Navantia Shipyard – Cádiz because of its extensive experience in this type of project, its flexibility, and its excellent value for money,” explained Richard J. Vogel, President & CEO of Pullmantur Cruises.
The renovation carried out at Navantia has involved not only the renewal of many textiles and furniture, but also the addition of new technologies and spaces.
This complete refurbishment has employed around 1,000 people and has been valued by the cruise line at nearly €20 million. During its stay in Cádiz, the Sovereign underwent improvements to both its cabins and public areas. The work carried out includes renovations to the restaurants and bars—resulting in increased capacity—and the replacement of carpets, upholstery, bathrooms, and furniture.
According to data from Pullmantur Cruises, 18,000m2 of carpeting have been renovated, more than 1,700 chairs have been reupholstered, some 2,100m2 of tiles have been installed, 1,500kg of cement has been used and 400 meters of pipes have been renewed among other operations.
The time spent in dry dock has also been used to equip the Sovereign with the latest technology to optimize the ship's operations.
Many of the Sovereign's cabins have been renovated with a new decor in light, blue, and ochre tones.
The cleaning of cabins, laundry, reception, and catering services had to continue at full capacity during the ship's stay at the Navantia Shipyard in Cádiz, as a large number of workers stayed aboard the Sovereign. Interestingly, the only crew member who didn't have to sleep on the ship during its stay in Cádiz was the cruise director, Mariano Pastrana, since he is from Cádiz and resides there.
Sovereign
is one of Pullmantur Cruises' flagship vessels. Built in 1988 at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, it has a gross tonnage of 73,592, a length of 268.25 meters, a beam of 36.2 meters, and a maximum capacity of 2,733 passengers. At the time of its construction, it was the largest cruise ship in the world, and today the vessel has been updated to meet modern standards.
“I am absolutely convinced that these improvements will contribute very positively to our guests’ onboard experience.”
Richard J. Vogel, President & CEO of Pullmantur Cruises.
Gastronomy is a key aspect for cruise passengers, which is why Pullmantur Cruises has made a significant effort to revamp the onboard dining options. This culinary offering combines their renowned "All Inclusive" experience with a menu designed by Paco Roncero, the prestigious Spanish chef with two Michelin stars who also oversees restaurants in Madrid, Shanghai, Curitiba, and Bogotá, among other locations.
The Sovereign boasts two main restaurants (Guadiana and Duero) where Spanish and Mediterranean flavors take center stage. New this year, in addition to the regular menu, cruisers can enjoy daily chef's specials, ensuring a different culinary experience each day. Those seeking a more casual option will find themselves at the Panorama Buffet, with its wide array of dishes prepared by the ship's chefs. Another buffet option is available by the pool, perfect for snacks or informal lunches. Finally, there's the Wu Fusion & Lounge Bar, a tastefully decorated space where you can savor sophisticated cocktails and delicious Asian-inspired tapas with a European twist. This restaurant is an additional charge.
Onboard gastronomy has undergone a significant improvement since chef Paco Roncero took charge of designing the menu in 2016.
Many cabins on the Sovereign have been renovated with a new décor in light, blue, and ochre tones. There are three cabin categories: inside, outside, and Suite & Deluxe. Cabin sizes range from an average of 11 square meters for an inside cabin to 62 square meters for the ship's largest suite.
5 Wonders of the Mediterranean:
The Sovereign left the Cádiz shipyard on November 27th, bound for Lisbon, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and finally, Brazil. After the Brazilian season concludes, the Sovereign will arrive in the port of Barcelona on March 26th, from where it will sail every Monday until November 19th.
For this season, Pullmantur Cruises proposes the "5 Wonders of the Mediterranean" route, a 7-night itinerary that begins and ends in the Port of Barcelona.
“5 Wonders of the Mediterranean”. After 20 years operating the “Mediterranean Breezes” itinerary, Pullmantur Cruises is renewing the name and appeal of this legendary route.
After a calm and peaceful day at sea, we'll arrive at our first stop: Naples. Nestled at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, Naples is an ideal city for wandering its narrow streets and, of course, enjoying a slice of pizza. It's also a unique opportunity to visit the ancient city of Pompeii.
The following day, we'll stop in Civitavecchia, from where we'll visit Rome. The Roman Colosseum, the Forum, and the Spanish Steps are just some of the magnificent monuments of the Eternal City. A visit to the Vatican is absolutely essential to admire St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The next day, we'll arrive at the port of Livorno, in the heart of Tuscany, the gateway to the beautiful city of Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Once you leave Italy behind, the first stop on the 5 Wonders of the Mediterranean cruise in France will be Villefranche, on the French Riviera. From there, you can visit Nice or Monaco, or even venture into Provence. The final destination before returning to Barcelona is Sète, one of France's most important ports. This city was built on the final stretch of the Grand Canal du Midi, right on the banks of the Étang de Thau. From this beautiful port, cruise passengers have a wide range of options: visiting Montpellier, Aigues-Mortes, or Carcassonne.
For cruise passengers seeking the Spanish atmosphere of Pullmantur Cruises with premium quality, the new The Waves Club offers exclusivity and details that make all the difference.
This entire itinerary will operate on an all-inclusive basis, so passengers don't have to worry about beverage costs. However, additional packages are available for those who wish to enjoy premium alcoholic beverages and bottled soft drinks. Other advantages of Pullmantur Cruises include Spanish as the primary language on board, the convenience of virtually all passengers embarking and disembarking at the same point, and a focus on adapting to the tastes, schedules, and customs of Spanish passengers.
The Waves
by Pullmantur Cruises is designed for its most discerning guests who want to enjoy a premium experience. It's a private space accessible only to suite guests, with two levels of amenities.
The Waves White for guests staying in Junior Suites and The Waves Black for all guests staying in Top Suites: RS, ST and GT categories.
The Waves White: Access to The Waves Club and unlimited free Wi-Fi, exclusive personalized service point, VIP excursion briefing, bathrobe, flip-flops, and premium bathroom amenities. Plus, priority check-in, boarding, and disembarkation. Reserved space in the restaurant and private excursion briefing.
The Waves Black: All the services mentioned above, plus access to The Waves Solarium, free laundry service, welcome cocktail with the Captain and more details in the cabin such as a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, premium coffee maker and free bottled water in the cabin.
