Celestyal has marked its first ever visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony in collaboration with Cruise Saudi.   The 1260-guest Celestyal Journey’s maiden call took place on November 29 as the final port on the cruise line’s new special seven-night ‘Athens to Jeddah’ voyage. The ship left Athens on November 22 and called at Marmaris, Turkey, and three ports in Egypt - Port Said, Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga - before concluding in Jeddah.   The ceremony was attended by representatives of Celestyal including Captain Angelos Vassilakos, as well as senior team members from Cruise Saudi and port officials.   The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will also call into Jeddah on December 5, before joining her fleet mate for her inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf region.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “We are honoured to celebrate our maiden call in Jeddah alongside our partners at Cruise Saudi, marking the beginning of a long and effective relationship. As the cultural heart of Saudi Arabia and the gateway to its incredible destinations, Jeddah offers huge potential for cruise tourism, and today’s plaque exchange is an exciting step in our collaboration.”   Barbara Buczek, chief destination experiences officer at Cruise Saudi, said:  “This maiden Red Sea sailing highlights the strong appeal of the region and aligns with Cruise Saudi’s commitment to developing seamless, high-quality cruise experiences in Saudi Arabia. Celestyal’s expanded itineraries demonstrate the growing demand for distinctive Red Sea and Arabian Gulf journeys. We continue to work closely with cruise operators to ensure our ports, destinations and onshore excursions showcase the Kingdom’s culture, heritage and renowned hospitality. We look forward to welcoming guests from around the world to experience the beauty of the Red Sea and the richness of Saudi Arabia’s destinations.”   Upon disembarkation, guests will be welcomed by Jeddah’s renowned warmth and hospitality, home to the UNESCO-listed Historic Jeddah, with its distinctive Hijazi architecture and vibrant souks.   Both ships will continue their passage from Jeddah to Abu Dhabi, to commence Celestyal’s second season in the Arabian Gulf.   Celestyal Journey will open the season on December 6, 2025, with a special Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise, before operating the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary for the rest of the season, sailing roundtrip from Doha and calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, as well as two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai. Prices start from £309 per person for a seven-night cruise.*   Celestyal Discovery’s first departure is December 12, 2025, launching the line’s new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from her winter homeport in Abu Dhabi and calling at Doha, Qatar; Khasab, Oman; Dubai, UAE; Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE, and maiden visits to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. . Prices start from £159 per person for a three-night cruise.*

  Celestyal has rebranded its travel agent learning management system to better support its trade partners.   The ‘Celestyal Stars’ platform - formerly known as ‘Celestyal Campus’ - will relaunch on December 1, ahead of the upcoming wave season.   ‘Celestyal Stars’ will include 16 training modules, covering topics such as brand identity; information about the two-ship fleet; destination knowledge; and tips on how agents can grow their Celestyal business.   The refreshed programme will feature tailored learning paths, in which training modules are unlocked as agents advance through Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum certifications.   As each section is completed, agents will progress through the Navigator levels (1 to 4 Stars), earning certificates and digital badges that can be shared on their own channels. Each level will feature incentives such as exclusive agent rates, discounts and giveaways, to reward engagement and achievement.   It can be accessed via the trade portal, Celestyal Compass, and clicking on the ‘Celestyal Stars’ link.   Janet Parton, VP of business development at Celestyal, said: “Celestyal Stars is designed to empower and inspire our valued travel partners. By making learning more engaging and rewarding, we’re giving agents the tools and confidence to showcase the very best of Celestyal to their travellers - from our smaller ships and more personal service to our destination immersion and port-intensive itineraries that bring our heartfelt journeys to life.   “The new tiered certification journey recognises their expertise and commitment, while our enhanced incentives celebrate their success. The trade is central to our growth, and this investment reflects our dedication to strengthening those partnerships.”

  Celestyal has expanded the shore excursion programme for its upcoming new-for-2025 ‘Iconic Arabia’ itineraries on its second ship to visit the region, Celestyal Discovery.   New tours include experiences in Ras Al Khaimah – as the cruise line makes it maiden visit to the port – and additional options in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.   The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will officially launch the line’s new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises from December 12, 2025, sailing roundtrip from her winter homeport in Abu Dhabi.   Ports of call include maiden visits to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, in addition to Doha, Qatar; Khasab, Oman; Dubai, UAE; and Sir Bani Yas Island. Prices for three nights start from £279pp; four nights from £329pp; and from £569pp for the seven-night itinerary. Fares include all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities.   The shore excursion programme has a range of half-day, full-day and two-day options. It also offers ‘Authentic Encounters’, which provide experiences with local people and attractions, and smaller group sizes.   Highlights include:  

• ‘Journey to the Soul of Ras Al Khaimah’: A guided tour through the diverse landscapes of Ras Al Khaimah, starting with a scenic drive through desert dunes, followed by a visit to the royal camel racing stables, an Emirati date farm and a mountain village. Full-day tour from £203pp.
• ‘Ras Al Khaimah and Suwaidi Pearls Farm, Authentic Encounter’: Starting with a tour of the House of Pearls by Suwaidi Pearls, including a journey on a traditional pearl fishing boat, and visiting Dhayah Fort and Ras Al Khaimah’s Old Town. Full-day tour from £96pp.
• ‘Dubai from its Eye’: Starting with a scenic drive to Zabeel Palace, the residence of Dubai’s royal family, and visiting the Museum of the Future; Bluewaters Island for a ride on Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel; and Kite Beach. Half-day tour from £62pp.
• ‘Delicious Dates and Tasty Cakes’: Explore the food and culture in Abu Dhabi, touring the must-see highlights of the city, including the dates market. Half-day tour from £98pp.
• ‘Yas Waterworld, Yas Island’: A full day at Abu Dhabi’s iconic water park, located on Yas Island. Full-day tour from £119pp.

  In April this year, Celestyal signed a three-year agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. The multi-year partnership, agreed at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, promotes Ras Al Khaimah as a key destination among Celestyal’s guests, further establishing the cruise line’s affiliations to the Arabian Gulf region.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “Our new ‘Iconic Arabia’ shore excursions offer what we call a true backstage travel pass to the Arabian Gulf - giving guests insider access to the rich tapestry of culture, history and natural beauty that defines the region. From the futuristic skyline of Dubai to the serene shores of Sir Bani Yas Island and the treasures of Ras Al Khaimah, each experience, led by our incredibly knowledgeable team, connects travellers with the authentic spirit of the destination.”

  Celestyal has confirmed its commitment to the Arabian Gulf with both the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey and 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery deployed to the region from December this year. This follows their maiden 2024/25 programme and represents a 211% year-on-year capacity increase.   Celestyal Journey will open the season on December 6, 2025, with a special Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise, before operating the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary for the rest of the season, sailing roundtrip from Doha and calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, as well as two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai.   Celestyal Discovery will then join her fleet mate for her inaugural season in the region, departing December 12, 2025 and launching the line’s new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from her winter homeport in Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha, Qatar; Khasab, Oman; Dubai, UAE; Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE and maiden visits to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.   As part of its updated deployment plans, Celestyal has amended its two 14-night repositioning sailings, departing November 22, 2025, onboard Celestyal Journey, and November 28, 2025, onboard Celestyal Discovery.   Two new seven-night Athens to Jeddah itineraries will now operate, sailing from Athens, Greece, on the same departure dates. Celestyal Journey will now call at Marmaris, Turkey, three ports in Egypt - Port Said, Sharm El Sheikh, and Safaga, concluding in Jeddah. Celestyal Discovery will now call at Kusadasi, Turkey, two ports in Egypt - Sharm El Sheikh, and Safaga, concluding in Jeddah. Six-night segments will also be available from the Turkish ports.   A majority of the guests who are booked on the original segments departing Athens, sailing to Sharm El Sheik and Jeddah will be unimpacted, for some there will be port changes or shorter sailings offered.   Following these departures, both ships will continue their passage from Jeddah to Abu Dhabi, to arrive in the Arabian Gulf in time to commence the season as planned.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal said: “Our maiden Arabian Gulf season firmly established Celestyal as a standout in the region, with exceptional feedback from both guests and our trade partners. These refinements give us great confidence as we return stronger to the Arabian Gulf for 2025/26 with two ships and significantly increased capacity to meet soaring demand for winter sun.   “Our multi-year partnerships with Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah remain central to this growth, and together we’re committed to showcasing the very best of the region to both new and returning cruisers. With demand already running high, we’re incredibly optimistic about the opportunities ahead and are confident this will be one of our strongest seasons yet.”   All travel partners have been notified, assured protected commission and provided with updated information and guest rebooking options.

  Celestyal Travel has unveiled a new one-off tailormade travel package that features the opportunity to attend the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.   In addition to tickets to watch the action, Formula 1 driver, entrepreneur, author and broadcaster David Coulthard will be onboard as a guest speaker to discuss the race weekend. He will be joined by sports broadcaster and commentator, Laura Winter.   Departing December 4, 2025, sailing on the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey, the new ‘Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Sail and Stay’ package - which signals the launch of the ship’s second season in the Arabian Gulf - includes:   * Return flights from the UK and all overseas transfers * Two nights in a four-star hotel in Abu Dhabi Marina * Tickets to all practice sessions, qualifying and race day * A five-night cruise. With two nights positioned in Mina Sayed, Abu Dhabi to take advantage of the season finale Formual 1 Grand Prix race weekend, and then sailing from Abu Dhabi and calling at Dubai (overnight) and Sir Bani Yas Island.   All fares include scheduled track transfers, a cocktail reception on embarkation day, a private beachside party at Sir Bani Yas Island, all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities, plus a complimentary bonus of €50 of onboard food and beverage spend in the form of a CelestyalPay preloaded onboard tab for each travelling adult. Prices start from £2,375pp.   Janet Parton, vice president of business development at Celestyal and MD of Celestyal Travel, said: “We’re thrilled to have David and Laura returning to Celestyal to help us deliver another unmissable experience in the Arabian Gulf.   “This new package is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday combining the high-octane thrills and prestige of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with an immersive cruise experience. It’s the ideal curtain raiser to our Arabian Gulf season, and perfect for guests who crave adventure and cultural immersion. And with Celestyal Travel taking care of all the details, guests can enjoy a seamless holiday – all provided at out-of-this-world value.”   David Coulthard competed in Formula One from 1994 to 2008, winning 13 Grands Prix across 15 seasons, racing for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. His subsequent TV commentating career has seen him work for the BBC and Channel 4.

  A new specialist cruise and travel social media agency, Social42, has launched - and already secured its first client.   Social42 is led by Rachel Poultney and David Sanders, the directors of sister company PR42. They have brought social media consultants Sarah Ardell and Lauren Tenner onboard to help drive the new venture.   Celestyal has appointed the start-up to oversee its global social media strategy, including content development across Instagram, TikTok and Facebook; community management; and support for social partnerships and influencer collaborations alongside its in-house marketing team.   Social42 will work with Blue Juice, a Brighton-based visual production agency, to deliver high-quality content across Celestyal’s social platforms.   PR42 has delivered Celestyal’s PR activity for the past two years in the UK, North America, Australia and United Arab Emirates. The line operates year-round cruises to the Greek Islands, Adriatic and Arabian Gulf, with a fleet of two ships welcoming 140,000 guests annually from more than 130 nationalities.   Rachel Poultney said: “Social42 was launched to meet the rising demand for expert social media management and content creation in the cruise and travel sectors, and we're absolutely thrilled to start our journey with Celestyal. PR42 has built a reputation for securing headline-grabbing coverage and driving results - including for the fantastic team at Celestyal - and we'll apply the same strategic thinking to the fast-moving world of social platforms.   “We’re excited to work alongside Celestyal’s international marketing, sales and trade teams to deliver dynamic campaigns that engage audiences, strengthen brand presence and ultimately drive bookings.”   Anna Gregori, vice president, brand, marketing, PR & customer experience, said: "We have taken the time to evaluate the market and the teams at Social42 and BlueJuice provide a winning combination of expertise, continued alignment to our top of funnel activities, as well as real industry experience. This exciting partnership means Celestyal is in safe hands."

  Celestyal has announced the successful completion of a major refinancing initiative, replacing its original vessel acquisition funding with a more efficient financing model.   This milestone marks a significant step forward in Celestyal’s growth plans, substantially lowering the company’s cost of capital and unlocking additional flexibility to reinvest in its fleet, product and commercial operations.   Marios Theodosiou, chief financial officer at Celestyal, said: “This refinancing marks a powerful endorsement of the progress we’ve made to evolve and fuel Celestyal’s ambitious development strategy. From a full fleet renewal and more sustainable operations, to expanding our commercial footprint, launching year-round operations, and announcing our sailing programme further ahead than ever before, we’ve demonstrated our ability to transform at pace.   “It also signals growing confidence in Celestyal’s long-term business model, underpinned by improved profitability, enhanced financial resilience and consistent operational delivery.   “We are well-positioned to continue delivering on our strategic ambitions with a strong financial foundation, including diversifying source markets and expanding into new regions, accelerating the next stage of our growth.”

  Celestyal has unveiled its programme of 2027 and early 2028 sailings - its earliest-ever season launch.   The year-round programme, which is on sale now, offers a summer Greece and Mediterranean season, alongside a winter Arabian Gulf deployment.   Nine itineraries are available across 182 departures from March 2027 to March 2028. Sailings range between seven and 14 nights on the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey and between three and 14 nights on the 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery.   Greece and Mediterranean highlights   Operating from April to November, sailing roundtrip from Athens, Celestyal Journey will offer:  

• Eight departures of the seven-night ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia’, calling at Kefalonia, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Bari, Italy; Corfu, Greece; and Katakolo, Greece; with an overnight in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Prices from £739pp.
• 24 departures of the seven-night ‘Idyllic Greece’, calling at Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos and Milos, Greece. Prices from £739pp.
• 14 departures of the 14-night ‘Mediterranean Icons’ cruise combining the two seven-night ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia’ and ‘Idyllic Greece’ cruises. Prices from £1689pp.

  Operating from March to November, also sailing roundtrip from Athens, Celestyal Discovery will offer:  

• 36 departures of the three-night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’, calling at Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Patmos, Crete and Santorini, Greece. Prices from £399pp.
• 35 departures of the four-night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’, calling at Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini, Greece. Prices from £509pp.

  Arabian Gulf highlights   Operating from November to March, Celestyal Journey will offer:  

• 16 departures of the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary in 2027, and eight departures in early 2028, with the option to depart from either Doha, Qatar or Dubai, UAE, and calling at Dubai (overnight), UAE; Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Bahrain. Prices from £589pp.

  Operating from December to March, Celestyal Discovery will offer:  

• 13 departures of the three-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruise in 2027, and five departures in early 2028, roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, UAE (Friday to Monday) with calls to Dubai, UAE and Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE. Prices from £289pp.
• 13 departures of the four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruise in 2027, and six departures in early 2028, roundtrip from Abu Dhabi (Monday to Friday) with calls to Doha, Qatar; Dubai, UAE (via Ras Al Khaimah); and Khasab, Oman. Prices from £359pp.
• 13 departures of the combined seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ in 2027, and five departures in early 2028, with options to depart from Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Prices from £589pp.

  Fares are inclusive of all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: "This programme represents the second year of operating our two-ship fleet year-round across these iconic regions. The return of some well-loved itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic and the Greek Isles, and our continued commitment to the Arabian Gulf, allows guests to experience the perfect blend of iconic landmarks and hidden gems, while enjoying the outstanding hospitality for which we are known.   “The programme’s early release is testament to our growth as a brand, and we’d like to thank our guests, both newcomers and those returning, alongside the travel agent community for their efforts in our success.”   Guests will also receive 25% extra on all credit added to their CelestyalPay tab before departure, earning up to €250 onboard spend in Celestyal’s current Summer promotional campaign running through to August 31, 2025.   All pre-purchase CelestyalPay speciality dining and beverage credit remains fully commissionable.

  Celestyal has released the first official images of its enhanced cabin offering onboard Celestyal Discovery, following the ship’s second extensive winter refit in Athens earlier this year.   The 1360-guest ship returned to service in March 2025 to launch the line’s Mediterranean season and will head to the Arabian Gulf in December for its maiden deployment in the region.   Among the upgrades are 47 new staterooms - including 30 ‘Junior Dream Suites’ and two ‘Grand Horizon Suites’ located above the bridge with 15.5m² balconies - increasing the ship’s premium capacity by more than 50%. Fifteen additional interior ‘Cosmos Cabins’ have also been added, resulting in a 7.4% overall capacity uplift.   The new staterooms were developed in partnership with design agency AMK, incorporating elements inspired by the regions the ship visits.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “This winter’s refit programme onboard Celestyal Discovery speaks volumes about our continued investment into our guest experience. We’ve not only added more balcony staterooms but enhanced our premium cabin options to meet growing demand for more space and comfort, while preserving the small-ship charm and personal service that we’re known for. These images showcase just how far we’ve come, and we’re incredibly proud to be taking Celestyal Discovery to the Arabian Gulf for the very first time this December.”   Celestyal Discovery will make its Arabian Gulf debut on December 12, 2025, joining its fleet mate Celestyal Journey, which returns to the region on December 6, with a Grand Prix celebratory sailing.   The ships will offer a season of three-, four- and seven-night cruises from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, with sailings scheduled through to March 2026 - and set to continue for the next three consecutive years.   Celestyal Discovery will homeport from Abu Dhabi for the next three seasons, and the Arabian Gulf itineraries include:  

• A weekly three-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruise: roundtrip from Abu Dhabi (Friday to Monday) with calls to Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island, offering beach and wildlife safari experiences. Prices from £259pp.
• A weekly four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruise: roundtrip from Abu Dhabi (Monday to Friday) with calls to Doha, Dubai (via Ras Al Khaimah), and Khasab in Oman. Prices from £329pp.

  All three- and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises are combinable, with seven nights from £539pp.   The release of the imagery coincides with the recent launch of Celestyal’s Summer Promotion, running until August 31, 2025, offering up to 60% off across 87 sailings from June 2025 to March 2027.   All promotional fares include meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. Guests will also receive 25% extra on all credit added to their CelestyalPay tab before departure, earning up to €250 onboard spend.   All pre-purchase CelestyalPay specialty dining and beverage credit remains fully commissionable.

  Celestyal has reported a significant rise in trade bookings following the line’s appearance on the latest episode of Channel 5’s hit travel show, ‘Cruising with Susan Calman’.   The episode, which aired on May 16, was watched live by almost 500,000 viewers. Its consolidated number, which also comprises viewers who watched it on catch-up over the following seven days, reached nearly 600,000, and was ranked in Channel 5’s top 10 most watched programmes of the week.   The hour-long episode, part of the show’s fourth series, followed the Scottish presenter as she joined a seven-night Idyllic Greece itinerary onboard Celestyal Journey. Departing from Athens, the 1,260-guest ship called at Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion, Santorini, Mykonos and Milos.   During the broadcast, viewers were treated to Susan’s experiences both onboard and ashore, from sampling local delicacies and diving into regional history, to spending time with crew and fellow guests.   Travel agents benefited from the exposure with trade bookings rising by 169%, versus the week before the programme aired.   In addition, Celestyal saw a 1,000% uplift in website visits versus the previous day.   Celestyal is currently marking the episode via a limited-time offer on Idyllic Greece cruises, with prices starting from £399pp. The offer includes port fees, gratuities, meals, soft drinks, Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment, and is valid for 17 departures between June and November 2025, when booked before May 31, 2025.   In addition, Celestyal is rewarding agents with a £50 Love2Shop voucher for every Idyllic Greece cruise booked within the offer period. Agents can claim by emailing their booking confirmation to [email protected].   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “We’ve seen fantastic engagement following the airing of Cruising with Susan Calman, with a clear uplift in interest across both our agent partner and online channels. It’s been wonderful to see such a positive response from viewers who were inspired by Susan’s journey onboard Celestyal Journey.   “She really captured the spirit of what makes Celestyal special – from our warm, welcoming crew to the immersive experiences in each port. The Idyllic Greece itinerary blends iconic destinations and lesser-known gems, with full days and late departures that allow guests to explore each place in depth.”

  Celestyal has strengthened their partnership with Qatar Tourism, Visit Qatar and Mwani Qatar.   The agreement was announced at the Arabia Travel Market this week, doubling the number of guests Celestyal will bring into Doha over the next three years, with twice weekly calls during the winter season, alongside the existing three-year homeport arrangement.   Last year, Celestyal launched the ‘Desert Days’ itinerary onboard the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, homeporting from Doha, Qatar. The first season saw 14,500 guests sail into Doha with 10% coming from the GCC and surrounding regions. Following the success of the inaugural season, which was extended due to demand, the cruise line will now return to the region with two ships in December this year, and feature twice weekly calls to Qatar.   The seven-night ‘Desert Days’ cruise sails roundtrip from Doha, calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, with an overnight stay in Dubai. Prices start from £1138 for two people on a seven-night voyage, with all meals, soft drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities included.   In addition, the recently refurbished 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will join her fleet mate for the next three winter seasons, sailing the new-to-2025 three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises. Sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, the itinerary includes calls at Doha, Khasab, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, and a maiden visit to Ras al Khaimah. Prices start from £558 for two people on a three-night voyage, and £698 for two people on a four-night cruise, with all meals, soft drinks Wi-Fi and gratuities included.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: "It’s a privilege to extend and strengthen our partnership with Qatar Tourism, Visit Qatar and Mwani Qatar. As one of our landmark homeports, Doha is a firm favourite amongst our guests, which is why we’re excited to be doubling our calls to the region over the next three years, with twice weekly calls throughout the winter seasons.   “We know there is a real demand for the Arabian Gulf, and we are proud to be at the forefront of showcasing this region. As a cruise line that offers deeply immersive experiences, we proudly promote the destinations we visit and in a booming city like Doha, new and returning Celestyal guests are sure to find something fresh and exciting to do.”   Celestyal’s shore excursion programme includes 10 Qatari excursions, including tours that explore the cultural icons of the destination, trips that combine high teas, mosque visits and beach stays, and full day excursions curated by local guides that may include the Falcon Souk, Grand Mosque and local boutiques and museums.   Celestyal reports that during the first season the most popular Qatari excursions were ‘The Quest to the Inland Sea’ which gives guests a snapshot of local life before transporting them into the desert and onto the large tidal bay recognised for its national heritage, and a ‘Cultural Journey Through Doha’, which takes guests from Souk Waqif, Pearl Qatar-Island, Katara Cultural village and culminates at Dhow Harbour and the Museum of Islamic Art. Both are half day experiences which start from £54 per person**

Celestyal has inked an agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. The multi-year partnership, agreed at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, will promote Ras Al Khaimah as a key destination among Celestyal’s guests. The agreement will offer immersive shore experiences in Ras Al Khaimah, beginning in December this year. Following a successful inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf, where bookings exceeded targets by 35%, Celestyal will return to the region with two ships in December this year. It will feature weekly calls to Ras Al Khaimah on Celestyal Discovery across the winter season, for the next three years. The recently refurbished 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery will homeport in Abu Dhabi from December 12, 2025, sailing the three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises. The four-night itineraries will sail roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha, Ras Al Khaimah and Khasab in Oman. The seven-night sailings add calls to Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island to the itinerary. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “We’re proud to build strong partnerships in the region, and are thrilled to enhance our shore excursion programme with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.” “Together, we’ll offer our guests even more immersive and culturally rich experiences.” “Ras Al Khaimah is a truly unique destination, and we’re excited to showcase it to our guests – many of whom choose Celestyal specifically for our in-depth exploration.”