Celebrity Xcel has unveiled full details if its Mediterranean-inspired festivals at sea. There will be four destination specific festivals at The Bazaar. The themed happenings are designed for guests to continue experiencing the sights, sounds, flavors and traditions of the Mediterranean after leaving the port. “Since the concept launched on Celebrity Xcel in November, The Bazaar has kept guests enveloped in the culture of destinations well beyond their time in port,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. Programming is designed to blend onboard and in-port experiences. Opa Festival immerses guests in the traditions of Greece. By day, it celebrates Greek culture with iconic cuisine and hands-on activities like "Mati" evil eye jewellery crafts. The even brings live musicians and dancing. La Dolce Vita Festival is all about Italy. Guests enjoy hands-on experiences like the art of making pastas and tiramisu before an elegant Venetian night of entertainment. Salud Festival is a celebration of Spain sipping sangria and sampling local dishes. The evening ramps up with flamenco dancers and matadors. Silk & Spice Festival invites guests on a sensory journey through the spices, dances, and music inspired by the cultures of Morocco and Turkey. During the day, guests can sip fragrant teas and enjoy hands-on activities. At night, energetic music and whirling dancers will captivate guests. In a first-of-its-kind concept, no two days are the same, the cruise line says. Each event showcases local food and beverage, crafting experiences, retail activations, cooking and dance classes and local musicians. On sea days, Market at The Bazaar invites guests to take home produce of Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Morocco. It comprises regional artisan produced gifts such as olive oil, Italian scarves, or handmade painted tiles. Starting in May 2026, Celebrity Xcel sails an inaugural European season in the Mediterranean on seven- to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens.

  Celestyal has launched a new trade incentive, giving travel agents the chance to earn £50 per booking.   The incentive is valid on new bookings, made by February 5, for all cruises departing in 2026.   In addition, agents can secure a complimentary cruise for themselves as part of Celestyal’s ‘Sell 3, Sail Free’ campaign, also applicable for new bookings until February 5.   Agents who sell three of the cruise line’s three or four-night sailings will be eligible to secure a four-night Arabian Gulf cruise. Those who sell two seven-night itineraries as part of the three, can secure a seven-night Arabian Gulf voyage.   To claim both the incentive or the free sailing*, agents need to email [email protected] by February 8.   Dan Buckingham, director retail & UK partnerships at Celestyal, said: “This new incentive is our way of saying thank you to the trade for their continued support and confidence in Celestyal. By offering £50 per booking on all 2026 cruises, alongside the chance to experience our product first-hand, we’re giving agents even more reasons to engage with our unmissable itineraries. These rewards are designed to be simple, generous and motivating, while reinforcing our commitment to strong trade partnerships.”   The incentive coincides with Celestyal’s current campaign also running until February 5 - “The Unmissable Sale”. The offer includes savings of up to 50% off, up to €500 speciality food and beverage credit and up to £180 shore excursion credit per cabin on select sailings.   Savings on the Arabian Gulf programme include 42 departures of the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary, sailing roundtrip from either Dubai or Doha onboard Celestyal Journey, and 67 departures of the new three- and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia,’ sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi onboard Celestyal Discovery. Prices start from £279 per person for a three-night sailing.   Sailings in Greece and the Mediterranean include 45 departures of the three- and four-night ‘Iconic Greek Island’ cruise, sailing roundtrip from Athens, onboard Celestyal Discovery, with prices starting from £379 per person. In addition, there are 16 departures of the seven-night ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia’ cruise, and 16 departures of the ‘Idyllic Greece’ cruise, both sailing roundtrip from Athens onboard Celestyal Journey, with prices starting from £719 per person.   All fares are inclusive of all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities.

  From island escapes to ancient wonders, see where Celestyal can take you.  

• Up to 50% off select sailings
• Up to €500 CelestyalPay credit per cabin
• Plus up to $240 Shore Excursion Credit

  Whether you’re dreaming of vibrant coastlines, picture-perfect villages or world-famous historical sites, now is the perfect time to book your next unforgettable journey.

  Celestyal has held a series of plaque exchange ceremonies to mark Celestyal Discovery’s debut in the Arabian Gulf.   The 1360-guest ship, which has joined Celestyal Journey in the region, set sail on December 12, operating the cruise line’s new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from her winter homeport in Abu Dhabi.   To start the celebrations, Celestyal also participated in a mangrove planting experience at Jubail Island Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi - an initiative supporting the UAE’s wider conservation efforts and goal of planting 100 million mangroves by 2030. Celestyal CEO - Chris Theophilides, COO - Captain George Koumpenas, VP hotel operations & passenger services - Alexis Economou, and ship Captain Nikolaos Vasiliou joined the Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism to plant their own mangrove saplings.   Plaque exchange ceremonies to mark the start of the ship’s season took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE; Dubai, UAE; Doha, Qatar; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE; and Khasab, Oman.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer, at Celestyal, said: “Celestyal Discovery’s debut in the Arabian Gulf marks an exciting new chapter for our brand. The warm welcome we’ve received reflects the region’s growing enthusiasm for cruise, and this is replicated by the demand we’re seeing from guests for immersive experiences and authentic encounters, all at unbeatable value. Having both Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey operating in the Arabian Gulf for the next three years underscores our commitment to offering guests deeper, more meaningful ways to explore this remarkable part of the world.”   Prices for the ‘Iconic Arabia’ itinerary start from £279 per person for a three-night sailing in the current seasonal promotion.   Fares are inclusive of all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. The offers are available to book until February 5, 2026, while availability lasts.   Celestyal’s two-ship 2025/26 Arabian Gulf season represents a 211% year-on-year capacity increase for the cruise line, following on from its maiden 2024/25 programme. The 1260-guest Celestyal Journey operates the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary.

 

• Up to 50% savings available on 226 Greek, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf sailings departing December 2025 to October 2027.
• Up to €500 bonus CelestyalPay on 14 Greek, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf sailings – giving guests free onboard speciality beverage and dining credit.
• Plus, up to €200 shore excursion credit on 186 Greek, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf sailings.

  Celestyal has unveiled a new seasonal campaign offering up to 50% off 226 sailings departing between December 2025 and October 2027.   Guests on selected sailings can also receive up to €500 bonus CelestyalPay to spend on speciality dining and drinks onboard, and up to €200 towards shore excursions on 186 cruises.   Savings on the Arabian Gulf programme include 42 departures of the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary, sailing roundtrip from either Dubai or Doha onboard Celestyal Journey, and 67 departures of the new three- and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia,’ sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi onboard Celestyal Discovery. Prices start from £279 per person for a three-night sailing.   Sailings in Greece and the Mediterranean include 45 departures of the three- and four-night ‘Iconic Greek Island’ cruise, sailing roundtrip from Athens, onboard Celestyal Discovery, with prices starting from £379 per person. As well as 16 departures of the seven-night ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia’ cruise, and 16 departures of the ‘Idyllic Greece’ cruise, both sailing roundtrip from Athens onboard Celestyal Journey, with prices starting from £719 per person.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “This is one of our most generous seasonal campaigns yet, designed to give travellers even more reasons to plan ahead. As demand grows across Greece, the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf, we wanted to add meaningful value - not just through price, but through experiences. From signature dining and curated cocktails to discovering unmissable moments ashore, these added credits give guests the freedom to shape their holiday exactly as they want it.”   All fares are inclusive of all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. The offers are available to book from December 10, 2025, through to February 5, 2026, while availability lasts.

  Celestyal has announced a strategic leadership update, with the appointment of Janet Parton as vice president - marketing, PR and customer experience.   Janet moves into the role with immediate effect from her previous position as VP - business development & MD of Celestyal Travel, and brings extensive experience from both her two years at Celestyal and earlier roles as sales & marketing director at Globus Family of Brands. She will lead Celestyal’s newly formed marketing, PR and customer experience function, supporting the next phase of growth for the brand, as it accelerates plans ahead of 2026 and the launch of its new Wave campaign.   Janet will continue to report into Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer.   As part of this transition, Dan Buckingham, director retail & UK partnerships, will assume leadership of the UK, Celestyal Travel and Europe teams for an interim period.   Lee Haslett said: “Janet is a respected and proven leader who has played a pivotal role in strengthening Celestyal’s trade partnerships and presence across core markets. As we double down on marketing, brand-building and demand generation ahead of our Wave campaign and 2026 strategy, Janet’s commercial expertise and understanding of the Celestyal brand make her ideally placed to lead this function. I’m delighted to see her step into this role and drive forward the next chapter of our growth.”   Janet Parton said: “It’s been an honour to be part of Celestyal’s journey over the last two years, and I’m excited to step into this role at such a pivotal moment for the brand. We have an unprecedented opportunity to further build connections with both consumers and the travel trade through a stronger, unified approach to marketing, PR and customer experience.”

  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 concluded its most successful Mediterranean and Adriatic season on record, with Mediterranean passenger numbers increasing by 4% and revenue up 10% on 2024.   Operating from April to November, 10 ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia’ sailings, and 22 ‘Idyllic Greece’ voyages took place on the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, with both itineraries offering seven ports over seven nights. The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery sailed 69 departures of the three- and four-night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’.   The season also saw Celestyal Discovery become the first cruise vessel in Greek waters to operate on a locally produced marine biofuel blend, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 21%.   Both ships are now preparing to reposition to the Arabian Gulf for the winter.   Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “2025 has been another strong year for Celestyal so far. From expanding our itineraries and upgrading our fleet to pioneering sustainability efforts, we’ve seen record demand across our Mediterranean programme. We now look ahead with real excitement as both Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery set sail for the Arabian Gulf, which is fast becoming the go-to destination for winter-sun.”   Celestyal’s Arabian Gulf season begins on December 6, 2025, with Celestyal Journey departing on a special Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise. It will then operate a 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. The ship will sail 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.   Celestyal’s current ‘Black Friday’ promotion offers travellers savings of up to 70% across its 2026 Adriatic sailings and Arabian Gulf cruises through to March 2026. The promotion runs for one week only, from November 26 to December 2, 2025, with limited availability.

  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 opened its first UK retail store. Situated on Guildford High Street, it marks a major milestone in the tour operator’s expansion in the market.   The new experiential store, which opened on September 6, 2025, combines consumer-facing retail with dedicated trade training and product immersion facilities. A key feature is the agent training excellence centre, designed to host workshops, product training and networking sessions for travel trade partners from across the UK. The store also houses Celestyal Travel’s recently announced dedicated UK-based call centre, offering agents direct support.   Celestyal has employed five new agents in store, reporting into Janet Parton, managing director of Celestyal Travel UK. They will be responsible for managing bookings, travel and brand education for both trade and retail customers, as well as staffing the new call centre.   The launch event was attended Celestyal’s senior leadership team, VIP guests and the Mayor of Guildford, and included entertainment, giveaways and refreshments.   Janet Parton said: “This new store is much more than a retail outlet - it’s a hub for inspiration, education and support. Alongside welcoming customers, it gives us a dedicated space to work more closely with our agent partners, offering training and hosting events that help them feel confident in selling Celestyal Travel. Coupled with our new UK call centre, it underlines our long-term investment in the UK trade.”   Celestyal Travel is an extension of the award-winning and year-round cruise company, Celestyal, which specialises in cruises to the Greek Islands, Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Arabian Gulf. It offers fully commissionable packages that are dynamically priced and fully customisable to each guest. All holiday options include return flights from the UK, pre- and post-hotel stays on a bed and breakfast basis, a cruise, transfers, all meals, soft drinks with meals, WiFi, port fees and gratuities on the ship.  In addition, a complimentary bonus of €50 of onboard food and beverage spend in the form of a CelestyalPay preloaded onboard tab for each travelling adult. Bespoke ‘tailor-made’ options include all of the above as well as curated onboard and ashore experiences.   Each tailormade travel package booked will also provide guests with access to the Celestyal Travel VIP scheme, which includes a host of at-sea benefits such as priority cruise embarkation, a daily barista poured coffee from Café Nation and priority disembarkation for shore excursions.   Celestyal Travel is a new member of Hays Independent Group and is fully ATOL-licensed and ABTA bonded.