by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:35 PM ET, Mon December 2, 2024
WHY IT RATES: Known for specializing in sailings around the Greek Islands, Celestyal Cruises is expanding its footprint to a new region of the globe.—Sarah Kuta, TravelPulse writer
Celestyal’s flagship vessel, Celestyal Journey, arrived in Doha, Qatar, on November 30 to start the line’s maiden Arabian Gulf season. The season begins with two specially themed F1 voyages, which will take in the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix events.
The line marked the occasion hosting a day event in partnership with Visit Qatar, Qatar Tourism and Mwani Port Authority. Local dignitaries were joined by local media and influencers onboard Celestyal Journey, while docked in port on November 30, for a series of presentations, a ship tour, the traditional plaque exchange ceremony and a celebratory lunch.
Subsequent departures will comprise of seven-night “Desert Days” itineraries, sailing roundtrip from Doha, through March 2025. Each cruise features calls to the iconic destinations of Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi, an overnight stay in Dubai Marina, as well as visiting the hidden gem destinations of Khasab, and Sir Bani Yas Island.
Celestyal Journey will sail from Doha for three consecutive years throughout the winter seasons, through a collaboration between Celestyal and Visit Qatar.
The ship features 630 suites and staterooms, seven restaurants, eight bars and lounges, two pools and Jacuzzis, and a whole deck dedicated to wellness including a spa, and fitness and wellness areas. It underwent a multi-million Euro refurbishment in September 2023, prior to entering the Celestyal fleet and received additional extensive refurbishment while on route to Doha, including updating the Junior Dream Suite bathrooms, and adding the popular coffee bar, Café Nation, which was introduced on her fleet mate, Celestyal Discovery, in March 2024.
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “We’re incredibly excited to see our first ever Arabian Gulf season get under way. I would like to thank our partners at Visit Qatar, Mwani Port Authority and Qatar Airways for their continued support and warm welcome to the region. We are confident that our special FI themed cruises will ensure we have a roaring start to the season, while the Desert Days itinerary offers the very best of the local region. Whether guests are familiar with the destinations we visit or are sampling them for the first time, there will be a wealth of authentic experiences available to everyone.”
Celestyal Discovery will join Celestyal Journey in the region at the end of 2025. She will sail three-night long weekend “Iconic Arabia” cruises roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha Port, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (Bahrain) and Dubai Marina Port, and four-night midweek “Iconic Arabia” cruises, sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Fujairah, Muscat and Kasab. These are ideal for travelers to add on to an existing tour of the region.
Chris Theophilides, CEO at Celestyal, adds: “We’re delighted to be commencing our season in the Arabian Gulf, with this momentous arrival into Doha. I want to thank our teams and partners who have made this a reality. It marks the significant start of Celestyal’s next chapter, operating a fully refreshed fleet across year-round operations and two regions. We listened to our guests, 86% tell us they want to return after they have spent time with us, and with our new Desert Days itinerary, as well as our additional Iconic Arabia itineraries on Celestyal Discovery next year, we are expanding the many reasons to try or come back to Celestyal.”
The Desert Days itinerary prices start at $409 per person, representing a 67% saving, and the Iconic Arabia cruises start at $279 per person, representing a 57% saving, in the cruise lines Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, available until December 03.
Source: Celestyal Cruises press release
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