Pullmantur for non Spanish speaking?

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

Following looking at the Pullmantur website, where there is an option for english, I started wondering if this acttuly is a viable option for non Spaniards or Spanish speaking people. For example AIDA's site did not have an English language option and when we docked next to AIDAbella 2 weeks ago all announcments where in German only. The one on the Jewel was in English Spanish Porotugese German.

 

So anyone know if a non Spaniard can really go on Pullmantur and not go through diffculties and if announcments and so on are available in English?

[Downdie]

Being an English speaker was very little problem on my Pullmantur cruise in the Caribbean last year on the Holiday Dream. We had maybe 50-60 Canadians and British expats from Spain aboard. All anouncements were in Spanish and English. Front desk staff, as well as most of the dining and bar staff and our cabin steward all spoke much better English than I did Spanish.

The only area where there was a minor problem was with the Argentinian MC/ comedian in the show lounge who only spoke Spanish, although most of the South American singers sang in English most of the time.

We enjoyed this trip and found the food and service very good, probably enhanced by Pullmantur's "all-inclusive" feature. This is one area where you may have to go Spanish, and have to put up with all that included Rioja, Crianza and Douro wine at dinner.

[seabourndt]

thanks for that, i would guess the german companies like phoenix reisen would not be so easy for non german's? as i am going on MAXIM GORJKY in sept with an english group. i am wondering about the excursions, will we have only a limited amount with english guides.

dave

[English_in_Spain]

Hi Downdie.

 

I am interested to hear that you cruised on Pullmantur last year.

 

We have been thinking of trying this. We live in Spain and although not fluent in Spanish we get by.

 

What appealed to us was 2 things

 

1. It is very difficult to get reasonably priced flights from here to the Caribbean and Pullmatur do a fly/cruise from Madrid

 

2. We like their all-inclusive deal.

 

A couple of questions if you don't mind.

 

1. What was the food like. Was it typical cruise fare or a bit more European/Spanish

 

2. Is it really all-inclusive. Do you have to pay extra for anything?

 

3. A lot of the cabins have obstructed view because of lifeboats. What sort of cabin did you have? How did it compare with other lines?

 

4. The Spanish tend to quite noisy when socialising. Did you find this a problem?

 

I don't know what other cruise lines you have travelled with but I wondered where it might fit in.

 

I would be very grateful for your help in this

 

Thanks

[Downdie]

Hi English in Spain:

I'm more than happy to answer your questions on Pullmantur's Caribbean cruise. Like yourselves the big attraction for us in Feb/04 was the included flight package from Ottawa, which made life much easier. We became good friends with 3 British expat couples from Spain ( we are ex Brits ourselves who have lived 40 years in Canada) who all had nothing but praise for their week's cruise on the Holiday Dream. However we left from Santo Domingo in the DR, and Pullmantur now leaves from Aruba with a different ship Ocean Dream, as RCI has transferred the Holiday Dream to their new all-inclusive French line CDF where it sails as the Bleu De France.

We actually had a huge 225 sq. ft. oceanview cabin on the ex Europa which was one of the reasons I wanted to sail on this fabled classic ship as I'm a bit of a classic cruise ship fan.

The food and service were very good with traditional cruise fare in the dining room, and,unlike most ships, the buffets at breakfast and lunch were excellent, with some European and Spanish items thrown in, churros and chocolate sauce for breakfast.

All-inclusive means that all drinks were included, non alcoholic and beer, wine,spirits and liqueurs except for premium brands, champagne,cognac and single malt Scotches which was a downer for this Scot.

Not included were gratuities, excursions, spa visits and photos etc.

As mentioned previously our outside cabin was the largest I have had on any cruise, but I think that was unique to that ship.

We found the whole atmosphere on board very informal with the traditional gala night the only real dressup affair. We found the mainly Spanish crowd onboard to be fun loving and no not excessively noisy, but remember this is a Spanish ship and the most popular dining time was 10.15 pm with first sitting at 8.00 pm.

I prefer to sail on smaller European ships in the main so avoid the North American mammoths.So I found this compared favourably with the likes of Royal Olympic's Stella Solaris and MSC's Opera etc.

Let's just say, if I could find a cheap deal on a flight from Western Canada to Malaga in October I would book that great deal that Pullmantur has for us seniors on the Empress to the Canaries in a minute.

If you require any more information, fire away.

[English_in_Spain]

Thank you for all that information. It was extremely useful.

 

We have 2 RCI cruises booked in October and January but we are interested in a Northern Europe cruise on Pullmantur next July. I have the 2008 brochure but have no details yet on what they have planeed in 2009.

 

Where did you find details of their cruises and how did you book? TA or internet?

 

You mentioned special prices for seniors. I have not seen that in their brochure but they do offer 10% discount for early booking. Also, in the Spanish brochure they say that travel insurance is included in the price - that would be a large saving for us as DH is over 70. Did you get the insurance included or is that just for Spanish residents?

 

Thanks again

[Downdie]

Hi English in Spain:

We booked our Pullmantur Caribbean cruise through a well known internet TA in Ottawa who were marketing it as one of their package all-inclusives to the Dominican Republic except it was a cruise. I had read about it on another cruise forum, not this one. As far as insurance was concerned I was covered by my credit card which included travel insurance.

Regarding the special I alluded to, it appears Pullmantur is offering it on this one itinerary as probably a last minute special for October/November 2008.

I found this on Pullmantur's website http://www.pullmantur.es/EN/AtlanticPearlsDeparturefromMalaga/sp1211198430428.html

Hope all this helps you.

[Downdie]

Hi English in Spain:

We booked our Pullmantur Caribbean cruise through a well known internet TA in Ottawa who were marketing it as one of their package all-inclusives to the Dominican Republic except it was a cruise. I had read about it on another cruise forum, not this one. As far as insurance was concerned I was covered by my credit card which included travel insurance.

Regarding the special I alluded to, it appears Pullmantur is offering it on this one itinerary as probably a last minute special for October/November 2008.

I found this on Pullmantur's website http://www.pullmantur.es/EN/AtlanticPearlsDeparturefromMalaga/sp1211198430428.html

Hope all this helps you.

[Downdie]

Hi English in Spain:

We booked our Pullmantur Caribbean cruise through a well known internet TA in Ottawa who were marketing it as one of their package all-inclusives to the Dominican Republic except it was a cruise. I had read about it on another cruise forum, not this one. As far as insurance was concerned I was covered by my credit card which included travel insurance.

Regarding the special I alluded to, it appears Pullmantur is offering it on this one itinerary as probably a last minute special for October/November 2008.

I found this on Pullmantur's website http://www.pullmantur.es/EN/AtlanticPearlsDeparturefromMalaga/sp1211198430428.html

Hope all this helps you.

[Downdie]

Sorry about the triple post.

[keltic]

Hi from Spain, I think all issues have already been answered. Main website over here is

 

http://www.pullmanturcruises.com/

[Duba]

Hi from Spain, I think all issues have already been answered. Main website over here is

 

http://www.pullmanturcruises.com/

 

Hi

 

I was delighted to find this thread on this board, we are booked with Pulmantur for a cruise out of Barcelona next month on what was Sovereign of the Sea. We are looking forward to the trip but are hoping that we will not have to wait until 8.00pm to have dinner - are there any other restaurnats/buffets open around 6pm??? Would you have any idea what kind of larger is served on board, San Miguel maybe??

 

Downdie, thank you for all the information you shared with us, I would love to do that Baltic trip too, it is definately on my list of things to do.

 

Keltic, we hope to visit your home town in July, we are on NCL Jade for that cruise. Can you give me any information on how I can get from Vigo to Santiago without going on a NCL trip? Is it possible to get there on public transport?? We stop off in Lisbon too and I hope to get to Fatima under our own steam too - any advice??

 

Thanks

 

Imelda

[fliptuga]

Hello!

 

I`m from Portugal, i made my first cruise with pullmantur last september and i have to say that i liked it very much!

The staff is very helpfull, the food was good.

 

Downdie,

They have now a cruise similar to the pearls of the atlantic but i dont know if it s only for the portuguese cruise market, because it only apears on the portuguese page of pullmantur.

 

http://www.pullmanturcruises.com/PT/AtlanticStar/sp1211199478432.html

 

The cruise we did was rondó veneciano (Venice, Dubrovnik, Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos and Athens. GREAT! ), and the ship was the Zenith, it´s not a mega ship but it was in a very good shape, this year the same vessel is doing the Baltic.

 

To the portuguese is easy to go on a cruise with pullmantur, because they have a lot of portuguese and brazilians working on their ships. But they do all the anouncements in english to!

The worst thing for english speakers is probably the shows in spanish...

 

And the ALL INCLUSIVE is really great!!!!!:D

[soedergren]

Hello,

 

don't worry, both Pullmantur and Quail Cruises (founded by almost the entire former Pullmantur management after Pullmantur was bought by RCI) are almost 100% bi-lingual in English and Spanish (announcements, menus, the daily newsletter, TV, etc.). Most of the shows are in Spanish only, but even there some of the presenters tried to do it in both languages. And the books in the library are in Spanish only, but that doesn't really matter, does it?

 

As for the shore excursions, it really depends on the guide. Most will do the excursions in English, just ask them before going on the bus.

 

The all-inclusive is great and includes virtually everything (except for 24hr cabin service, the boutique, and the massages).

 

soedergren

[chapichapo]

Being an English speaker was very little problem on my Pullmantur cruise in the Caribbean last year on the Holiday Dream. We had maybe 50-60 Canadians and British expats from Spain aboard. All anouncements were in Spanish and English. Front desk staff, as well as most of the dining and bar staff and our cabin steward all spoke much better English than I did Spanish.

The only area where there was a minor problem was with the Argentinian MC/ comedian in the show lounge who only spoke Spanish, although most of the South American singers sang in English most of the time.

We enjoyed this trip and found the food and service very good, probably enhanced by Pullmantur's "all-inclusive" feature. This is one area where you may have to go Spanish, and have to put up with all that included Rioja, Crianza and Douro wine at dinner.

Douro wine is actually portuguese and quite good, as a matter of fact. ;)

[Duba]

It is so good of all of you to reply, we are so looking forward to our cruise, we don't mind that the entertainmnet is in Spanish. We mostly go sightseeing on our own and have been to most of the ports of call before and know how to get around. The only place we have not been is Tunis so we might go with the cruise line for that one and print out information on that port from the internet. Great to know about the library, we usually bring our own books and leave them behind. Any idea if San Miguel larger is available on board?? Being Irish I am sure we will enjoy the all inclusive....

 

Only 13 days to go.............

[Downdie]

Douro wine is actually portuguese and quite good, as a matter of fact. ;)

 

Hi chapichapo:

My apologies for confusing Douro with Ribera Del Duero, as I've had it often at our Portuguese friends here in Canada. The river is the same though.

My intention was to point out that all the vinos tinto served at dinner were all Spanish and very good as are most Douros, as you will discover if you decide to sail on the Atlantic Star from Lisbon.As the other posters on the thread have noted, a Pullmantur cruise is a very good choice.

Duba: I'm sure you will enjoy the all-inclusive format on board when you cruise later this month. A wide selection of drinks are included except for real premium brands. The most served beers on the Holiday Dream were Budweiser and Kronenburg.

Regarding your stop in Tunis, La Goulet is a bit away from most of the sites. Our ship excursion from MSC Opera was excellent with stops in Sidi Bou Said, Carthage museum and the Roman Baths.

[chapichapo]

That's ok :) I'm just proud of our wines... ;) it's good to know that they have good wines, I really enjoy taking a glass at dinner.

Thank u for all the information, I'm convinced about Pullmantur. Although I have come across an all inclusive resort in Majorca and am now considering that option since there is a direct flight from Lisbon and the beach next to the hotel looks really wonderful. Maybe it's wiser with a 7month baby and a 4yo. Haven't made up my mind yet.

[fliptuga]

Chapichapo,

go with pullmantur.

In our cruise with pullmantur there was a lot of small children and babies.

We knew a couple that had a young Matilde, with 2 years old, from Murça. They loved it!

 

And if you think a litle, if you go to Maiorca you have to do a flight, and the cruise leaves from Lisbon, it´s much better...

 

The cruise is alsow a all inclusive, so if you don´t want to leave the ship you can enjoy all the things it has to offer!

[Duba]

That's ok :) I'm just proud of our wines... ;) it's good to know that they have good wines, I really enjoy taking a glass at dinner.

Thank u for all the information, I'm convinced about Pullmantur. Although I have come across an all inclusive resort in Majorca and am now considering that option since there is a direct flight from Lisbon and the beach next to the hotel looks really wonderful. Maybe it's wiser with a 7month baby and a 4yo. Haven't made up my mind yet.

 

 

Hi we have been to Santa Ponsa in Majorca a number of times, which resort are you considering?? Santo Ponsa is in the south of the island and is very popular with the Irish. The resorts to the north of Majorca are not so busy and are really beautiful.

[Duba]

Hi chapichapo:

My apologies for confusing Douro with Ribera Del Duero, as I've had it often at our Portuguese friends here in Canada. The river is the same though.

My intention was to point out that all the vinos tinto served at dinner were all Spanish and very good as are most Douros, as you will discover if you decide to sail on the Atlantic Star from Lisbon.As the other posters on the thread have noted, a Pullmantur cruise is a very good choice.

Duba: I'm sure you will enjoy the all-inclusive format on board when you cruise later this month. A wide selection of drinks are included except for real premium brands. The most served beers on the Holiday Dream were Budweiser and Kronenburg.

Regarding your stop in Tunis, La Goulet is a bit away from most of the sites. Our ship excursion from MSC Opera was excellent with stops in Sidi Bou Said, Carthage museum and the Roman Baths.

 

 

Thanks so much for this information, we are usually happy enough to do our own thing while in port - in Europe, but I think on this occassion the ship excursion even if it is in Spanish would be safer. What did you think of MSC Opera?? we did consider cruising with them last year -but went with Island Escape instead - cant remember why now!!!

[chapichapo]

Duba: I was thinking of an Iberostar (Pinos Park) near Cala Ratjada. It's all inclusive, the beach looks nice and it has a kid's club. It's a 4 star, beeing renewed this year. One thing that is nice is that the rooms are actually small apartments, so it's good with small kids. They have 2 of my son's passions: poneys and mini-golf (among other things of course). And there's also a marineland in the island, which is a 3rd passion of his ;)

I have never been to any of these islands, so I'm considering all the options. But the cruise seems appealing too. :)

[dmitri]

We are going on this cruise on 23 Dec/2011 and we would like to hear from the other english speaking people from this cruise.

Please reply ASAP.

 

A & C

[wadethegringo]

We are going on this cruise on 23 Dec/2011 and we would like to hear from the other english speaking people from this cruise.

Please reply ASAP.

 

A & C

 

What Pullmantur cruise?