Royal Caribbean Fans

Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced that they will be transferring Monarch of the Seas to Pullmantur, which is also owned by Royal Caribbean.

The transfer will take place in April 2013 after the last sailing as a Royal Caribbean ship departs on March 29 2013.

Adam Goldstein, the 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 Pullmantur's capacity increase by 25%. This is to cater for the 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 once the world’s largest and most innovative at the time. After the transfer, Majesty of the Seas will be the last of the Sovereign class of ships.

Royal Caribbean have already transferred some of their elderly ships to Pullmantur before. In 2008, Sovereign of the Seas left the RCI brand and joined the Pullmantur fleet. Also in 2008, Empress of the Seas was transferred to Pullmantur.