Cruise Line Increase Capacity By 30%, New Year-Round Regional Sailings

Greek and Mediterranean-focused cruise line Celestyal announced a 30% capacity growth beginning in 2025. From 2025 to 2027, it will fulfill its target by offering year-round sailings and new itineraries to the Arabian Gulf.

Celestyal is adding eight more Adriatic cruises in 2025 and 13 new sailings in 2026. These voyages are a response to the company’s “overwhelming demand” for cruises in 2024.

According to Celestyal Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett, “Eighty-six percent of our guests tell us they want to come back to Celestyal, so we’re delivering on our commitment to broaden our programs. We’re renowned as the cruise specialists of the Greek islands and the Mediterranean and, thanks to the commitment of the region and this overwhelming support from our customers and trusted partners, we are now confident in becoming the go-to cruise specialists of the Arabian Gulf.”

Its two-ship fleet will offer sailings in the Adriatic and Aegean seas.

Celestyal Journey will be deployed on seven-night itineraries:

• Departing from Athens, Heavenly Adriatic will call on Dubrovnik, Kevalonia, Bari, Kotor, Katakolo, and Corfu. A variation of the trip includes a stop at Marghera, Venice.
• The Idyllic Aegean will sail from Athens in 2025 and 2026. It will visit Kusadasi (near Ephesus), Mykonos, Milos, Santorini, Crete, and Rhodes.

For shorter sailings, Celestyal Discovery will offer rotating three- and four-night itineraries:

• For three nights, the Iconic Aegean cruise will take guests from Athens to Santorini, Crete, Patmos, and Kusadasi.
• Meanwhile, the four-night Iconic Aegean will start from Athens and explore Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Patmos, Kusadasi, and Mykonos.

Discovery will homeport in Abu Dhabi from November 2025 to March 2026. A three-night Iconic Arabia voyage will head to Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. The four-night version of the cruise will take passengers to Khasab, Muscat, and Fujairah.

Desert Days: Celestyal’s Newest Itinerary

On  November 9, 2024, the boutique cruise line will launch its newest sailing, Desert Days. For the first time, Celestyal Journey will visit the ports of Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, Dubai, and Khasab. The 1,260-passenger ship will homeport in Doha but guests can also sail roundtrip from Dubai.

Three Continents Itinerary Discontinued

The Three Continents itinerary onboard the recently refurbished Celestyal Discovery will no longer push through. Passengers who booked any of its six itineraries in 2025 have been offered refunds and alternative cruises.