Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced that Monarch of the Seas is to be transferred to the Madrid-based Pullmantur brand.
The switch will take place in April 2013 after the last sailing for Royal Caribbean which departs on March 29 of that year.
Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International, said: “We are very proud of Monarch of the Seas for delivering great service and outstanding destinations to holidaymakers from its maiden voyage.
“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.”
The move will see the Pullmantur capacity increase by 25% to cater for rising demand in Spain, Royal Caribbean said.
Pullmantur’s president and chief executive, Gonzalo Chico Barbier, said: ‘‘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.”
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 17, 1991.
The ship is part of the Sovereign class of cruise ships, which were the world’s largest and most innovative at the time.