Some ships carry not only passengers, but also emotions. The Zenith is one of them – an elegant cruiser that cruised the world's oceans for decades, providing generations of guests with unforgettable experiences. For all those who love maritime history, there's now a new highlight: the Zenith as a meticulously detailed collector's model in a scale of 1:1250.

 

The story behind the model ship

The decision to create a model of the Zenith was born of genuine maritime passion. We followed the ship for many years – from its active days at sea to its final chapter in Alang, India, where it was finally scrapped. From there, a special memento came into our possession: an original piece of the wooden railing. It perfectly matches our high-quality wooden ballpoint pens – even though no one has been made from it yet. That will soon change, because the railing wood has character and history.

A fortunate coincidence was a conversation with a model-building friend who still owned the original model of the Horizon (sister ship of the Zenith) from Sextant SX 117. However, a closer examination of the master plan revealed that the original model no longer reflected the actual condition of the ship in many respects. Therefore, extensive adjustments had to be made – from corrected length and width to numerous details of the modifications during the redesign.

Particular attention was paid to the characteristic chimney and mast, which were completely redesigned for the model. A real highlight is the openwork chimney, which allows you to see through it – a delicate detail that is impressive at this scale. The final appearance of the model was perfected by the precise and fine application of the decals, giving the miniature its realistic and high-quality look.

This is how many small coincidences, in-depth research, and genuine enthusiasm resulted in a collector's item with soul – for all those who appreciate the Zenith as much as we do.

Technical data of the Zenith

Before we delve into the eventful history of the original, here are the most important key data of the Zenith:

• IMO number: 8918136
• Length: 207.7 meters
• Width: 29.0 meters
• Year of construction: 1992
• Shipyard: Meyer Werft, Papenburg (Germany)
  
• Propulsion: Two controllable-pitch propellers via diesel engines
• Speed: approx. 19 knots
• Passenger capacity: approx. 1,828 guests

The Zenith was built specifically for the American cruise market – with elegant design, spacious interiors and maritime lines that still inspire today.

The History of the Zenith – From Celebrity to Peace Boat

Launched in 1992 at the renowned Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, the Zenith was originally built for Celebrity Cruises – then a subsidiary of the Greek shipping company Chandris, which later became fully integrated into the Royal Caribbean Group. The Zenith was the second ship in the Horizon class, following her sister ship Horizon (1990).

1992 - 2007: Celebrity Cruises

For the first few years, the Zenith sailed in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean – luxurious, stylish, and very popular with North American customers. The design was elegant and understated, the lines classic yet modern.

2007 - 2014: Pullmantur Cruises

In 2007, the Spanish brand Pullmantur Cruises took over the ship. The Zenith was rebuilt, given a new paint job, a modernized interior, and now primarily served the Spanish cruise market. The routes around the Western Mediterranean and the Canary Islands were particularly popular.

 

2014 - 2017: Croisières de France

During this phase, the Zenith briefly sailed under the Croisières de France label, also an offshoot of Pullmantur, with French customers – with new branding but familiar comfort.

2017 - 2019: Pullmantur Cruises

After the bankruptcy of the previous shipping company, the ship returned to Pullmantur Cruises, where it remained in service for another two years.

2019 - 2020: Peace Boat

In 2019, the ship was chartered to the Japanese NGO Peace Boat, which promotes international understanding and environmental protection. Due to the pandemic, however, the ship was rarely used. It was finally decommissioned and scrapped in early 2022.

Conclusion:

The Zenith was more than just a cruise ship—she was an ambassador of 1990s maritime design. This model is a tribute to this era and a true gem for any collection. If you have a passion for classic cruise ships, then this model is just the thing for your display case. The model is available now—exclusively in the Modellperlen online shop—and only in limited quantities.

We hope you enjoy the model, your Modellperlen team.