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.

Celestyal Cruises rolled out its Wave season campaign  with savings up to 30% off select 2022 sailings. The 'Escape Back to the Blue' campaign offers savings on cruises booked through 31 March 2022. Prices start from £329 for the three-night Iconic Aegean itinerary which is normally priced from £460. The popular seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary has been reduced by more than 30% to £759 per person. All cruises include the Celestyal All-Inclusive Experience with unlimited classic drinks, locally-inspired cuisine onboard, entertainment, select shore excursions, port, service charges and gratuities. During the Escape Back to the Blue campaign, children aged 12 years and younger sharing the same stateroom with their parents sail for free on selected sailings. Solo travellers also enjoy a reduced solo supplement on select sailings. Next year, Celestyal Cruises adds Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, to the 'Idyllic Aegean' itinerary. Celestyal will be the only cruise line calling on a regular basis to Thessaloniki. Limited time Escape Back to the Blue offers are also featured on Celestyal's seven-night Three Continents cruise which visits Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, and its special ten-night Christmas sailing.

  Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning, number one choice for cruise travellers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, and its parent company, Louis plc, a leading Cyprus-based tourism organisation, are pleased to announce a definitive strategic investment agreement with funds managed by Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (“Searchlight”), a leading global private investment firm.   As part of the partnership, Searchlight will make an investment into a new holding company, Celestyal Holdings. This will enable Celestyal Cruises to amplify its brand globally, build upon its success to-date and expand its operational footprint whilst growing and renewing its fleet. Celestyal Cruises will continue to operate its fleet of two ships from its offices in Piraeus, Greece with its current global management team leading the business. The Louis Group will continue as a shareholder in the new holding company.   “Prior to the pandemic, Celestyal was on a fast growth trajectory, and Searchlight’s infusion of capital will propel our growth strategy and accelerate our fleet renewal plan,” said Celestyal Cruises’ CEO, Chris Theophilides. “We are extremely pleased to have Searchlight as a strategic partner and are eager to join forces with them to build on our positive momentum, amplify our global brand awareness and elevate our award-winning guest experience, taking it to new heights. Our 2022 season is already looking solid and with this significant development, we are extremely excited about Celestyal’s journey ahead.”   “The cruise industry has shown a tremendous amount of resilience coming out of the pandemic, and as Greece’s major, home-porting cruise line, Celestyal has played a pivotal role in the country’s strong tourism recovery,” said Searchlight Partner, Ralf Ackermann. “We are excited to support Chris and his management team and to work with the Louis Group to be involved in the next chapter of Celestyal’s growth.  We believe this partnership will help to reinforce the company’s position as the leading cruise operator in the Eastern Mediterranean region and enhance its uniquely authentic experiences and operating footprint.”   “Celestyal Cruises has always been a strong and robust regional expert, and a key component of our tourism portfolio,” said Costakis Loizou, Executive Chairman of the Louis Group. “With the added financial resources of Searchlight, Celestyal is destined for an even brighter future, and we look forward to being part of realising Celestyal’s full potential.”   Louis plc was advised by financial advisors, Houlihan Lokey, London; legal advisors, Hill Dickinson, London and Chryses Demetriades, Cyprus; and tax advisors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cyprus.   Searchlight was advised by legal advisors, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP; financial advisors, Alvares & Marsal; tax advisors, KPMG, insurance advisors, Lockton; and technical advisors Renaissance Shipbroking.

Celestyal Cruises announced its return on 14 March 2022 with three- and four-night cruises followed by seven-night sailings from 30 April.  Celestyal will also return to Kusadas, Turkey when it sets sail in March and is adding Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, to its popular seven night 'Idyllic Aegean Itinerary.' Celestyal is the only cruise line calling on a regular basis to Thessaloniki, which is the gateway to Northern Greece and nearby Balkan drive markets. Celestyal will also return to the less-discovered island of Milos, which is not traditionally visited by many other cruise lines with larger ships. In the coming year, Celestyal will also extend its time in port in Milos from a half day to a full day. Additionally, this itinerary calls on Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Kusadasi. All-inclusive pricing on the seven-night 'Idyllic Itinerary' starts from £759 per person. "There is strong levels of interest, inquiry and bookings already for these itineraries next year and into 2023, which has been the catalyst to returning to year-round cruising," said Celestyal's Chief Commercial Officer, Leslie Peden. The seven-night 'Eclectic Itinerary' includes Kavala, the northern Greek port city on the Thracian Sea. This itinerary also calls in Thessaloniki, Santorini, Volos and Istanbul. The 'Eclectic Itinerary' also gives the option to embark and disembark in Istanbul, offering additional air connection options. Celestyal is also bringing back the 'Three Continents' itinerary, last operated in late 2019. It makes calls in Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Cyprus. This is followed by two exclusive holiday sailings: the 10-night Christmas special sailing calling in Thessaloniki, Izmir, Rhodes, Limassol and Alexandria with an overnight visit to Haifa on Christmas Christmas Eve in the Holy Land. Then, an eight-night New Year's sailing features Heraklion, Santorini and Kusadasi calls, along with an overnight stay in Istanbul to take in the New Year's Eve fireworks. Both sailings can be combined for an 18-night holiday taking in the entire Eastern Mediterranean with prices from £1,739 per person.  

  Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning, number one choice for cruise travellers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, has announced its return to cruising on 14^th March 2022 with its unique offering of three- and four-night cruises followed by seven-night sailings on 30^th April.  Celestyal, one of the only cruise lines to consistently call upon Turkey, will also return to visiting Kusadasi when it sets sail in March and adds Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece to its popular seven night “Idyllic Aegean Itinerary.” All 2022 and 2023 sailings -with all-inclusive pricing starting as low as £369 per person - are currently bookable.   Destination-Enrichment Continues in 2022-23; Highlights Include Thessaloniki, Milos and Kavala   While Celestyal has always offered its guests the marquis destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini, the cruise line has also earned a reputation for being a “trailblazer” by taking travellers to more of the unexplored side of Greece, as well as staying longer in port than other cruise lines to allow deeper exploration. This will continue once again in 2022. On Celestyal’s popular seven-night “Idyllic Itinerary” starting in April, Celestyal will sail to Thessaloniki.  Celestyal is the only cruise line calling on a regular basis to this historic city which offers guests stunning Paleo Christian and Byzantine monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, monuments to the famed “Alexander the Great,” and the chance to explore the city’s rich Roman and Sephardic Jewish heritage. Thessaloniki is also known as a “gastronomic paradise”, sitting at the crossroads for trade and drawing upon ingredients from all over the Mediterranean and Asia, and boasts a number of renowned tavernas.  Thessaloniki serves as the gateway to Northern Greece and nearby Balkan drive markets. As Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki also offers robust airlift with competitive airfares to and from Northern and Western Europe, thus making cruising and Celestyal more accessible and affordable for these markets.   Celestyal will also return to the less-discovered island of Milos, which was recently named the “World’s Best Island” by Travel + Leisure magazine and is an island not traditionally visited by many other cruise lines with larger ships. In the coming year, Celestyal will also extend its time in port in Milos from a half day to a full day.  Additionally, this itinerary calls upon Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Kusadasi (Turkey).  All-inclusive pricing on the seven-night “Idyllic Itinerary” starts from £759 per person.   Celestyal’s seven-night “Eclectic Itinerary” includes Kavala, the northern, centuries-old Greek port city on the Thracian Sea, often referred to as the “blue city” due to its crystal-clear coastal waters and legendary scenic sea views from the Bay of Kavala, with a picturesque historic town unfolding high atop the triangular Panagia peninsula. This charming old town comprises a mosaic of winding lanes of red-tiled houses and a Byzantine fortress known as the Kastro.  Just nine miles from the centre of the old town is the ancient city of Philippi, home to the first Christian church in Europe. Philippi became an important early Christian centre following a visit to the city by Paul the Apostle in 49 C.E.  This itinerary also calls in Thessaloniki, Santorini, Volos and Istanbul.  The “Eclectic Itinerary” also gives the option to embark and disembark in Istanbul, offering additional air connection options.   All-inclusive pricing on the seven-night “Eclectic itinerary” starts from £759 per person.       Celestyal Brings Back “Three Continents” Itinerary; Introduces New Christmas and New Year’s “Holy Land” Cruises   The end of 2022 will see the return of Celestyal’s seven-night “Three Continents” itinerary, last operated in late 2019, calling in Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Cyprus. This will be followed by two exclusive holiday sailings. The ten-night Christmas special sailing calling in Thessaloniki, Izmir, Rhodes, Limassol and Alexandria with an overnight visit to Haifa to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the “Holy Land”. The eight-night New Year’s sailing features visits to Heraklion, Santorini and Kusadasi, along with an overnight stay in Istanbul to take in the New Year’s Eve fireworks, and Volos. This sailing is priced from £979 per person. Both sailings can be combined for an amazing 18-night holiday event taking in the entire Eastern Mediterranean with prices from £1,739 per person.   “This past summer, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Celestyal’s crew we were able to demonstrate our ability to safely return to cruising.  We are optimistic that our destination-centric itineraries to undiscovered and exciting destinations will continue to be well received by our core audience, who are ‘travellers’ by nature.  Our confidence is supported by strong levels of interest, inquiry and bookings already for these itineraries next year and into 2023, which has been the catalyst to returning to year-round cruising,” said Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Leslie Peden.

Celestyal Cruises has sold a ship it bought only last year that it never got the opportunity to operate with guests. It acquired the 1,800-guest Costa NeoRomantica but has now sold it on to a new buyer, making a tidy $3 million profit. It had renamed the ship the Celestyal Experience. The 'prolonged effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic' caused a rethink. "After careful thought and consideration, the company sold the Experience and will continue to operate the same sized fleet that has served it well prior to the pandemic," the line said in a statement. It continues operating Celestyal Olympia and Celestyal Crystal and will revisit increasing its fleet size at a later date.

Celestyal Cruises will resume operations on 29 May from Piraeus, Athens with a seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary. Initially planned to start at the end of April, the new recommencement date is in accordance with the recently announced Greek Ministry of Tourism roadmap to opening Greece to tourism and cruising for the 2021 season. Prices for the seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary starts from £549 per person and will call at Kusadasi, Rhodes, Santorini, Lavrion (for Temple of Poseidon), Mykonos , Milos and Crete. The company will resume sailing with the Celestyal Crystal so as to utilise her ideal size. As more countries reopen with increasing demand, the company will announce the 2021 deployment of the remaining fleet in due course. Until such time, the Celestyal Crystal will utilise two embarkation ports, Piraeus and Lavrion in Athens, providing the ability to offer shorter three and four-night Idyllic itineraries in addition to the seven-night sailing. The shorter three and four-night sailings will operate on a Wednesday from Lavrion and Saturday from Piraeus respectively. "We are extremely encouraged by the increased global distribution and effectiveness of the vaccine and by the positive response we are receiving from our partners and guests around the world," said Celestyal Cruises CEO, Chris Theophilides. "We will continue to monitor the positive progress of the healthy reopening of both Greece and cruising while continuing to liaise with the European and Greek health authorities to ensure that we provide a safe and responsible operation for our guests, crew and the communities we serve." Guests currently booked on the cancelled late April through May voyages have the option to receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the amount paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 20% of the actual cruise fare paid. As an added element of flexibility and recognising the prolonged effects of the pandemic, Celestyal has announced that it will allow guests currently holding FCCs as well as guests about to receive them, the opportunity to apply the FCC towards Celestyal's soon-to-be-announced 2023 itineraries in addition to 2021 and 2022 itineraries.