A look at the history of the Zenith through the years; the ship has been in the news recently with the announcement it is moving to Peace Boat operations in 2020.
1989: Chandris orders a new $200 million cruise ship for its Chandris Celebrity Cruises division, to be built at Meyer Werft in West Germany. The new 45,000-ton ship, to be named the Zenith, will be a sistership to the Horizon, which was under construction at a cost of $175 million at the same yard.
1990: Celebrity confirms that its third vessel, the Zenith, scheduled to enter service in April of 1992, will sail year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale.
1992: Inaugural cruise from New York City.
1992: Zenith is based in Port Everglades for year-round Caribbean cruising. (Pictured above with Britannia in Cozumel).
1996: During the summer of 1996, the Zenith takes over the Horizon’s New York-to-Bermuda program while the Horizon launches Celebrity’s first season in Alaska.
2001: Moved to Philadelphia from new York following 9/11 terrorist attacks ahead of inaugural winter Tampa program.
2004: Celebrity expected to move Zenith and Horizon to First Choice travel; does not happen.
2005: Zenith drydocks at Detyens for 10 days for maintenance work including sea-valve renewals, anchor chains and blade seals and polishing as well as the overhaul of the bow thruster and stabilizers.
2006: Cruises offered from Bayonne, New Jersey.
2006: Royal Caribbean Cruises acquires Pullmantur and announces the Zenith will move to the Spanish brand in 2007.
2014: Ship moves to CDF, Pullmantur’s French cruise brand.
2017: Ship transfers back to Pullmantur as CDF is wound down
2019: Pullmantur announces the Zenith will leave the fleet in 2020; ship set to move to Peace Boat operation.
