Celestyal has revised its 2025 cruises schedule to boost the number of sailings, thanks to strong customer demand. It has added more 'Heavenly Adriatic' and 'Desert Days' Arabian Gulf cruises. Sailing onboard the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, both itineraries were introduced in January, with the maiden 'Heavenly Adriatic' sailing earlier this month. The 'Desert Days' itinerary debut is planned for November 9, 2024. Due to demand and positive feedback, Celestyal will be adding a further five departures to their 2025 programme. This will comprise three- and four-night variations of the Arabian Gulf cruises. There will be two additional seven-night 'Heavenly Adriatic' cruises departing round trip from Athens. They depart on March 22 and 29, 2025 calling at Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor (Montenegro), Bari, Corfu and Katakolo, Greece. These new sailings join the eight existing seven-night round trip departures from Athens between April and October 2025 and seven-night 'Summer Heavenly Adriatic' sailings in July and August 2025. There are three additional seven-night 'Desert Days' Arabian Gulf cruises roundtrip from Doha. They call at Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE) and Abu Dhabi. They depart February 15, 22, and March 1, 2025. Celestyal has also added three- and four-night options to their existing 'Desert Days' itinerary. All cruises are on sale now and form part of Celestyal's new spring campaign. Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We are thrilled with the demand for our newly introduced Heavenly Adriatic itinerary and Arabian Gulf winter programme.” "Our 2025 season will be our biggest and best to-date."  

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Celestyal has launched three new Arabian Gulf cruises to coincide with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix races in 2024.  The new departures, now available to book, have been tailored specifically to the Formula 1 schedule and will be aboard the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey. A three-day grandstand race ticket, which includes complimentary transfers to and from the ship, will be available to purchase for every guest booking. The new sailings comprise: A seven-night 'Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix' Arabian Gulf cruise, overnighting and sailing round trip from Dubai calling at Khasab (Oman), Abu Dhabi including three days accommodation onboard in Doha coinciding with the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Departing November 25, 2024. A seven-night 'Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix' cruise overnighting and sailing round trip from Dubai calling at Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE), including three days accommodation onboard in Abu Dhabi coinciding with the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Departing December 2, 2024. A 14-night 'Desert Days & Double Grand Prix' cruise overnighting and sailing round trip from Dubai calling at Khasab (Oman), Abu Dhabi (UAE), including three days accommodation onboard in Doha coinciding with the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE), and three days accommodation onboard in Abu Dhabi coinciding with the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Departing November 25, 2024. These special Arabian Gulf cruises also form part of Celestyal's new spring campaign, offering competitive lead pricing and 50% off deposits until April 30, 2024.

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Celestyal has launched a £100 incentive, available on all bookings made before February 29.  It is now live for all travel agents and offered across Celestyal’s full 2024 and 2025 product range. There are now more opportunities as Celestyal just announced it is starting year-round operations launch. It also just added four new Gulf countries and six ports of call from November 2024. Janet Parton, VP Business Development, said: “This is the richest incentive we’ve ever offered to the UK market, and allows us to really reward our agent partners for supporting us through this critical trading period.” All destinations, including the new itineraries, form part of Celestyal’s current winter savings promotion, with prices for a seven-night ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ cruise starting from £529pp. Celestyal is also offering 50% off all Celestyal Plus+ Experience packages, along with reduced single supplements of 30% and low child fares. 

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Cruise operator Celestyal plans to bolster its UK trade team in 2024. It aims to double the team with recruitment starting in December. The current travel agent support team, headed up by Janet Parton, VP of Business Development, will be expanding by a further four people. A new trade marketing manager will be recruited, who will be joined by three trade support executives. They will report to Anna Gregori, VP, Brand & Customer Journey, and Jo Reid, Country Manager for Celestyal in the UK. Additionally, Celestyal confirmed it will launch a new dedicated trade portal in mid-December. Accessible via the Celestyal website, the portal will bring together all trade marketing materials, campaigns and incentive information. Additional functionality will be added throughout 2024 such as a refreshed ‘Celestyal Stars’ platform, the cruise line’s online agent training platform. Also, a dedicated trade support phone line will go live ahead of the peak booking period. Janet Parton said: “We are delighted to confirm plans to significantly enhance our trade support function.” “Agent partners are critical to the success of the business. It’s vital that alongside the fleet refresh, we also invest in travel agent support.” “We’ll be better placed than ever before to support the travel trade.”

Celestyal has acquired a second new vessel this year. Celestyal Discovery, comes on the heels of the recent arrival of the Celestyal Journey. Celestyal Discovery will now join her sister ship in Athens, where they will undergo major winter refurbishment programmes ahead of the new season. The ship was built in 2003 for Carnival Corp, and has been sailing under the AIDA Cruise brand since then. It is a mid-sized vessel with 633 staterooms, 62 of which feature balconies, accommodating a total of 1,266 guests. Cruises for Celestyal’s newest ship will open for sale from December 11, 2023, taking over the Celestyal Olympia’s 2024 programme. Special launch offers will be included in the Black Friday promotions published later this week, as well as throughout Celestyal’s Wave campaign. Wave offers will roll out at the end of the year. Guests currently holding reservations on the Celestyal Olympia will be contacted by Celestyal after this date and reaccommodated on Celestyal Discovery. Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestyal said: “We are thrilled to have expedited the renewal of our fleet to welcome the Celestyal Discovery into the Celestyal family.” “As a confident challenger brand, our team is excited to continue making waves across the industry next season.” The Celestyal Discovery will have many of the brand’s signature features such as an Amphitheatre with conference and event space, the Grillseekers speciality restaurant, a Sozo wellness retreat, and an expansive pool deck. There will also be a few surprise additions which will be announced at a later date.

 

- Tobias Klitsch Named VP of Global Market Development, Beth Hulett Named Global Market Development Manager -

  Celestyal, the award-winning, number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, is continuing to invest substantially in growing key markets with the appointment of two senior members to its commercial team. Tobias Klitsch joins as VP of Global Market Development while Beth Hulett has been named Global Market Development Manager.   Tobias Klitsch has a wealth of experience and has held senior positions within the travel industry for 15 years. He joins Celestyal from PA Consulting, where he worked with organisations across the Aviation and Travel verticals to deliver structural change, with a view to driving long-term growth and commercial success, in his role as Director. Prior to that, Tobias worked at Virgin Atlantic as Director of Sales Strategy & Development, designing and executing the airline’s Global Sales and Account Management strategy. Before joining Virgin Atlantic, Tobias has held senior leadership roles at British Airways across Revenue Management and Sales, as well as delivering the airline’s Ancillaries strategy. As Celestyal’s VP of Global Market Development, Tobias will work cross-functionally to design and execute the commercial strategy that will deliver our vision of being brilliant to do business with. He will also provide analytical insight and partner with Sales leaders to devise the market-appropriate strategies to drive Celestyal’s growth plans. Tobias joined on 17th April and report directly to Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lee Haslett.   Beth Hulett comes with over eight years’ experience in the cruise industry. She joins Celestyal from Virgin Voyages where she worked with key UK partners to help drive sales in her role as Sales Manager. Previously, Beth worked at Iglu.com as Senior Global Supply Manager where she helped strengthen relationships with Trade Partners and had an impressive track record of delivering commercial value, implementing change and improving performance.  As Global Market Development Manager, Beth will support Tobias in delivering the commercial strategy to deliver value for both Celestyal and its Trade Partners globally. She will also support the field-based account team across all channels in identifying opportunities. Beth joined Celestyal on 21st April and will report directly into Tobias.   Lee Haslett, Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer, comments: “I am delighted to welcome Tobias and Beth to Celestyal. They join at an exciting time, with the recent launch of Celestyal Holidays, our dedicated trade packaging solution in partnership with Aviate, and the highly-anticipated debut of our new ship, Celestyal Journey, in September.  Both Tobias and Bethanie have a strong track record of delivering commercial value and strategic growth which will prove invaluable as we intensify our efforts and invest in substantially broadening Celestyal’s presence in key markets, and strengthening our position as the leading provider of the award-winning, multi-destination holiday experiences in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.”

 

- Features Include 24% Balcony Staterooms, Seven Dining Venues, Eight Bars & Lounges, Expansive Sun Decks and Wellness Area -

  Celestyal, the award-winning, number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, announces the arrival of the Celestyal Journey. Following an extensive, $22 million (approximately £17.6 million) refurbishment and technical maintenance overhaul, Celestyal’s newest ship will set sail on 2^nd September 2023, taking over the Celestyal Crystal’s programme, initially on its popular seven-night “Idyllic Aegean” itinerary. The ship’s name symbolizes exploration, discovery and progress. The Journey embodies a spirit of ambition and adventure and a desire to take her guests further and get closer to the destinations she visits.   The Celestyal Journey is characterised by her abundant number of premium staterooms as well as their spaciousness. The 1,260-guest mid-sized vessel offers 630 staterooms, 149 of which feature balconies – three times that of the previously available balcony staterooms on Celestyal’s seven-night offering.  Of the 149 balcony staterooms, 120 are Junior Suites, 28 are Grand Suites and one is the spacious Penthouse Concept Suite.  In addition, the vessel boasts 80% outside staterooms as well as a high guest to space ratio.   The Celestyal Journey offers guests a larger range of dining options as well, with seven one-of-a-kind venues including specialty and themed restaurants appealing to a wide array of tastes and cuisines from Mediterranean to European and Asian dishes. In addition, the Celestyal Journey will have a cooking demonstration area and an exclusive Chef’s Table venue, ideal for celebrating special occasions with friends or for private group functions. Eight bars and lounges round out the food and beverage offerings, each with its own distinctive character, providing the ideal setting to indulge in Celestyal’s signature cocktails.   The Celestyal Journey features many open deck areas, creating an overall greater sense of light and space. Expansive sundecks with two pools and two Jacuzzis offer spectacular views and connectivity with the sea, while a secluded and tranquil outdoor space, the Beach Club, will be created for exclusive use by all Grand Suite and Junior Suite guests. Guests booked in Grand Suites will also have access to Celestyal’s Concierge Service, which features a dedicated priority check-in counter, expedited embarkation and express luggage delivery service including assistance with unpacking. A dedicated Celestyal Concierge will be available in the exclusive-use Poseidon Lounge to assist Grand Suite guests with tailored service requests.   There is also a large, comprehensive spa and fitness and wellness area offering ocean views and two, fully-equipped conference rooms as well as a multi-purpose amphitheatre complete with a cinema, making The Celestyal Journey perfect for meetings and incentives.   “It has always been our mission to renew and rejuvenate our fleet, and we’re thrilled to see this come to fruition with the arrival of the Celestyal Journey. She is already undergoing her extensive refurbishment programme and will be deployed in a matter of just a few months,” said Celestyal Cruises’ CEO, Chris Theophilides.  “The Celestyal Journey will offer our guests more in the way of premium accommodations with balconies, a greater choice of dining and bar venues, public areas and open decks creating a greater sense of space.  At the same time, the newest member of the Celestyal family continues our tradition of operating intimate, mid-sized vessels, allowing us to take our guests to destinations that larger ships cannot, reinforcing our in-depth regional destination knowledge and genuine, warm Greek hospitality, both of which have consistently been recognised as second to none.”   Following the inaugural Idyllic Aegean sailings commencing 2^nd September, the Celestyal Journey will continue in October with the unique “Steps of Paul” itinerary followed by the award-winning seven-night “Three Continents” itinerary visiting Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and. Turkey. This will be followed by two exclusive holiday sailings, the 11-night special Christmas voyage calling on Thessaloniki, Izmir, Crete, Antalya, Limassol, with two days in Alexandria and an overnight visit in Haifa (Israel) to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Holy Land. This can be combined with the New Year’s eight-night departure visiting Heraklion, Rhodes, Kusadasi and overnighting in Istanbul before calling Volos.   Detailed information regarding the Celestyal Journey’s itineraries can be found on Celestyal.com   Special launch offers will be announced shortly, along with more insight behind the branding evolution and how the Celestyal Journey comes alive for guests both onboard and onshore. Guests currently holding reservations on the Celestyal Crystal from 2^nd September 2023, onwards will be contacted by Celestyal and re-accommodated on sailings on the Celestyal Journey.

  Celestyal, the award-winning, number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, has been named one of the top cruise lines at the annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards, the industry’s most comprehensive awards that recognise the best cruise lines of the year for UK cruisers, as chosen by the site’s international team of cruise experts.   Celestyal was recognised as one of this year’s best cruise lines, winning Best Service (Ocean Category) with judges stating:  “Celestyal’s approach to service is the same as its approach to cruising – authentic, personalised and warm. From wait staff to cabin stewards, bar staff to officers, nothing is too much trouble and the line goes out of its way to ensure each passenger feels special and happy to be onboard. It’s a well-deserved win for this small-ship line.”   Commenting on the award, Celestyal Cruises’ CEO, Chris Theophilides, said: “We are delighted to have won this award which recognises what is undoubtedly a successful team effort from all our crew, officers and team ashore. The heart of our philosophy and approach is the legendary Greek hospitality that our guests enjoy onboard our vessels, each of which is intimate enough to provide genuine and highly personalised service along with the multi-destination, immersive experience that truly distinguishes Celestyal.”   Guided by the Cruise Critic editorial team’s impartial cruise expertise, based on first-hand experiences and industry knowledge, the awards name the best-in-industry while also helping travellers select the best cruise for their specific interests and needs.   “These awards showcase the most standout cruise lines – and ports – of the year, based on our editorial team’s personal experience and extensive industry expertise,” shares Adam Coulter, Executive Editor of Cruise Critic UK. “The list of winners is evidence of the incredible strides of the industry over the past year, not just in returning to full service but in providing travellers with truly remarkable experiences.”   For more information about Celestyal visit https://celestyal.com/gb/, contact your local travel agent or call 0800 411 8038.

Celestyal has announced the immediate removal of requirements for proof of vaccination or recovery certificates. It follows the Greek National Committee of Public Health's recent relaxations for cruise passengers. Celestyal will still require guests to test ahead of their cruise for the remainder of the 2022 season. Pre-embarkation testing is accepted either with a Rapid Antigen test carried out up to 48 hours before embarkation or with a PCR test carried out up to 72 hours before departure As previously announced, guests on all Celestyal sailings commencing on or after 2 March 2023 will no longer require a pre-embarkation test or proof of valid vaccination unless required by local regulations. All Celestyal crew members will continue to be fully vaccinated, and the company still encourages guests aged 12 and over to be fully vaccinated.

Celestyal is introducing a new pricing model. Following feedback from guests and trade partners, Celestyal will provide guests with more choice and a new, two-tiered pricing model. An entry-level, ‘inclusive’ fare will provide complimentary dining and select drinks with meals, entertainment, daily activities, port charges and gratuities. This fare also comes with a pre-bookable shore excursion discount of £65 per person. For those wishing to upgrade, Celestyal is offering an ‘enhanced’ tier with an unlimited premium drinks package, one hour of complimentary Wi-Fi, 25% discount on specialty dining and a pre-bookable shore excursion discount of £130 per person. There are also several additional commission earning opportunities for travel advisors and discounts for guests pre-booking various drink and shore excursions packages. Inclusive itineraries start at £259, while Enhanced cruises cost from £369. "We are in constant communication with our guests and travel advisor partners, and they have shared with us a desire for more flexibility and customissation," said Celestyal's Chief Commercial Officer, Leslie Peden. Celestyal is also extending its seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary It will now arrive early into Santorini for an extended whole-day to explore thee destination, along with late departures in both Mykonos and Santorini. In addition, it visits Thessaloniki, Crete (Heraklion), Milos in Greece and Kusadasi in Turkey. In 2024, Celestyal will launch its new, five-night ‘Legendary Aegean’ itinerary visiting Santorini, Rhodes and reintroducing Samos in Greece and Istanbul in Turkey. The four-night Legendary Aegean also calls at Chios and Kos.  

  Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning, number one choice for cruise travellers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, is pleased to announce the introduction of a new, signature Greek menu and dining experience onboard sailings starting this month. Celestyal, already known and recognised for its focus on authentic Greek cuisine and signature warm hospitality, has developed the culinary experience in collaboration with Diane Kochilas, one of the world’s foremost experts on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. She is the host, creator and co-producer of My Greek Table, the highly acclaimed cooking and travel show that airs nationally on Public Television in both the US and Australia.  Celestyal is a sponsor of the series, set to launch season four this autumn.  Kochilas is also the author of more than 18 cookbooks on Greek-Mediterranean Cuisine, consulting chef and cooking school owner.  A Greek-American, Kochilas grew up spending summers on her father’s native island of Ikaria, a Blue Zone renowned for the longevity of its inhabitants, where today she runs the Glorious Greek Kitchen Cooking School.  The New York Times described the island as the place “where people forget to die”.   The premium “My Greek Table Six-Course Tasting Menu”, which features local and regional ingredients from many of the islands Celestyal visits, will be offered for a supplemental charge to guests opting to dine in Celestyal’s specialty restaurant.   A daily signature dish created by Kochilas will also be featured as part of the main dining room included offering.  The dishes are all centred around the healthy Mediterranean Diet, with many being plant-forward or vegetarian, gluten-free and/or vegan option available.   The Tasting Menu starts with homemade dips including Syros Maintanosalata (made with pesto, capers and herbs), Roasted Tomato Kopanisti and Smoked Eggplant Caviar, accompanied by freshly baked Pita and sesame-encrusted Simit bread). This is followed by a first course featuring Cretan Octopus Carpaccio and a second course of Aegean Fisherman’s Saffron Avgolemono Soup. The third course is an Aegean Lobster Escallop boiled or grilled and served with ouzo-scented golden rice and a side of Kalamata olive mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.  This is followed by an intermezzo course of Pappardelle of Zucchini with marinated tomatoes, mint and toasted pine nuts.  The fourth main course features a Kalogeros Terrine with sliced beef loin, sheep’s milk cheese and tomatoes served with Naxos oven-fried potatoes.  A fifth course follows with an arugula, red onion, grilled Manouri and Pasteli crumble salad.  The special Tasting Menu concludes with a choice of a Greek Village Cheese Platter or a Floating Greek Island in a Wine-Dark Sea along with a Greek digestive and spoon sweet. All courses in the Tasting Menu are paired with local Greek wines sourced from the destinations that Celestyal visits.   In the Main Dining Room, guests can enjoy an Ikarian Longevity Greens Phyllo Pie filled with seasonal greens, summer squash, carrots and herbs.   “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Diane that started in 2019 with our sponsorship of season three of My Greek Table and has developed into this dynamic culinary collaboration which places additional emphasis on Celestyal’s Greek roots through our cuisine experiences,” said Leslie Peden, chief commercial officer. “As more and more travellers seek healthier food options, we are delighted to have joined forces with such a well-loved and admired Greek culinary icon as Diane to provide our guests with authentic onboard experiences that no other line sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean can offer.” “As the Mediterranean diet continues to gain popularity and more travellers discover the variety of Greek cuisine beyond the classic Greek street food, I am so excited to bring my love of Greek cuisine, its products, regional flavours and health-giving qualities on board Celestyal. Greece is an amazing gastronomy destination, with delicious adventures in every port of call. The interest we both have in sharing the love for the culture and food of Greece made my partnership with Celestyal a no-brainer," said Diane Kochilas.