Celestyal Cruises - TravelMole

About us

We’re the number one choice for travelers to the Greek Islands and Eastern Mediterranean – a fact we love to share!

Our guests tell us it’s because we offer the only genuine Greek cruising experience. Passionate hospitality, intricate local knowledge, and the life-affirming spirit of adventure.

Our awards tell a similar story, with over 60 wins in 7 years. From ‘Platinum Guest Experience’ to ‘Best Itinerary’, we’re proud of them all. And we’re especially humbled by our first prize for ‘Cruise Line with the Greatest Commitment to the East Med Region’.

Company Name : Celestyal Cruises

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News & announcements

02 Dec 25
Partner News
Celestyal appoints Janet Parton as VP of marketing, PR & customer experience
Celestyal has announced a strategic leadership update, with the appointment of Janet Parton as ...Read more

Celestyal appoints Janet Parton as VP of marketing, PR & customer experience - News & announcements

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.”
01 Dec 25
Partner News
Cruise Saudi welcomes Celestyal on its maiden call to Jeddah with plaque exchange
Celestyal has marked its first ever visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a traditional ...Read more

Cruise Saudi welcomes Celestyal on its maiden call to Jeddah with plaque exchange - News & announcements

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.*
27 Nov 25
Partner News
Celestyal hails record-breaking Mediterranean and Adriatic season
Celestyal has concluded its most successful Mediterranean and Adriatic season on record, with Mediterranean ...Read more

Celestyal hails record-breaking Mediterranean and Adriatic season - News & announcements

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.
26 Nov 25
Partner News
Celestyal updates trade learning platform
Celestyal has rebranded its travel agent learning management system to better support its trade ...Read more

Celestyal updates trade learning platform - News & announcements

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.”
12 Nov 25
Partner News
Celestyal expands ‘Iconic Arabia’ shore excursion programme
Celestyal has expanded the shore excursion programme for its upcoming new-for-2025 ‘Iconic Arabia’ itineraries ...Read more
Celestyal expands ‘Iconic Arabia’ shore excursion programme - News & announcements

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.”
24 Sep 25
Partner News
Celestyal confirms two-ship deployment to Arabian Gulf for 2025/26 season, with new Athens–Jeddah itinerary
Celestyal has confirmed its commitment to the Arabian Gulf with both the 1260-guest Celestyal ...Read more

Celestyal confirms two-ship deployment to Arabian Gulf for 2025/26 season, with new Athens–Jeddah itinerary - News & announcements

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.
08 Sep 25
Partner News
Celestyal Travel launches flagship Guildford store with agent training excellence centre
Celestyal Travel has opened its first UK retail store. Situated on Guildford High Street, ...Read more

Celestyal Travel launches flagship Guildford store with agent training excellence centre - News & announcements

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.
23 Jul 25
Partner News
Celestyal Travel launches Abu Dhabi F1 ‘sail & stay’ itinerary with David Coulthard
Celestyal Travel has unveiled a new one-off tailormade travel package that features the opportunity ...Read more

Celestyal Travel launches Abu Dhabi F1 ‘sail & stay’ itinerary with David Coulthard - News & announcements

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.
18 Jul 25
Partner News
Social42 sets sail with Celestyal as first client
A new specialist cruise and travel social media agency, Social42, has launched - and ...Read more

Social42 sets sail with Celestyal as first client - News & announcements

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."
11 Jul 25
Partner News
Celestyal unveils dedicated UK tour operator brand
Celestyal has launched a new tour operator business for the UK market, named Celestyal ...Read more

Celestyal unveils dedicated UK tour operator brand - News & announcements

Celestyal has launched a new tour operator business for the UK market, named Celestyal Travel. Celestyal Travel is a new member of Hays Travel Independence Group and is fully ATOL-licensed and ABTA bonded. The move - the latest in the company’s ongoing growth strategy - features land and sea packages to destinations such as the Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf and the Maldives, with more to launch in due course. The tour operator is specifically targeting the ‘cruise curious’ traveller, providing simple ways to discover the world and try out a cruise, with the reassurance of one inclusive fare. The tour operator will provide twelve curated travel packages for launch, with more to follow. Highlights include: * Four-night ‘Iconic Greek Weekender’, from £879pp, with departures from August 2025 through to October 2025. Includes return flights, one-night hotel stay in Athens followed by a three-night Greek Islands cruise onboard Celestyal Journey, calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion and Santorini. * 14-night ‘Heavenly Med Escape’, from £1249pp, departing October 18, 2025. Includes return flights, seven nights in Rhodes, internal flights from Rhodes to Athens, followed by a seven-night cruise onboard Celestyal Journey around Greece and the Adriatic. * Seven-night ‘Iconic Gulf Getaway’, from £1269pp, with departures from December 2025 through to February 2026. Includes return flights, a three-night stay in Abu Dhabi and a shore excursion in the iconic city, followed by a three-night cruise onboard Celestyal Discovery, visiting Sir Bani Yas Island and Dubai. * Seven-night ‘Iconic Desert Experience’, from £1799pp, with departures from December 2025 to February 2026. Includes return flights, a three-night hotel stay in Abu Dhabi, three-day park ticket to Warner Bros, Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld, plus a four-night cruise onboard Celestyal Discovery, calling at Doha, Ras al Khaimah and Khasab (Oman). * 13-night ‘Idyllic Gulf Explorer’, from £3499pp, with departures from November 2025 to February 2026. Includes return flights from London Heathrow, a six-night hotel stay in the Maldives, and flights to Doha, where guests board Celestyal Journey for a seven-night cruise calling at Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. For travel agents, a dedicated UK call centre has been launched to support trade enquiries, and bookings are commissionable across all elements of the journey. Janet Parton, VP business development at Celestyal & MD Celestyal Travel said: “The launch of Celestyal Travel marks an exciting new chapter in our journey – one that embodies our passion for discovery and connection, delivering curated ‘fly, sail, stay and explore’ holidays that take our guests closer to the heart of each destination. From iconic island escapes to hidden cultural treasures, Celestyal Travel is about more than just itineraries; it’s about meaningful encounters, authentic stories and unforgettable journeys. “The concept of Celestyal Travel was driven from direct feedback from our valued agent community and trade partners, who told us that they wanted to be able to sell flight inclusive Celestyal packages to their UK guests. We realise that many travel agents do not have their own ability to dynamically package, and as a direct result we are delighted that they will now be able to confidently sell a Celestyal cruise with flights, hotels and transfers. With commissionable bookings and a dedicated UK call centre, we’re demonstrating our commitment to the trade, ensuring agents feel supported every step of the way. The fantastic sales that our tour operators and OTAs deliver for us remains unchanged and we continue to work closely with all of our agent partners.” Packages are dynamically priced and fully customisable to each guest and can be booked by calling the dedicated UK team. The packages all 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, 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. In addition, bespoke ‘tailor made’ options include all of the above as well as curated onboard and ashore experiences. For more information, visit celestyaltravel.com or call 0808 258 4170.
01 Jul 25
Partner News
Celestyal announces successful refinancing as it accelerates growth strategy
Celestyal has announced the successful completion of a major refinancing initiative, replacing its original ...Read more

Celestyal announces successful refinancing as it accelerates growth strategy - News & announcements

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.”
27 Jun 25
Partner News
Celestyal launches 2027/28 programme
Celestyal has unveiled its programme of 2027 and early 2028 sailings - its earliest-ever ...Read more
Celestyal launches 2027/28 programme - News & announcements

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.