After acquiring and refitting two new ships, Celestyal Cruises plans to sail to new destinations and transition to year-round sailings (Celestyal sailed from March to December).
The expansion of the Greek route involves passage through areas affected by geopolitical conflict. The route plans to sail the Persian Gulf in November, visiting four countries and six new ports of call.
To redeploy to the Persian Gulf, they must go through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, where ships are under attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Noting North American interest in visiting the Persian Gulf, the line plans to sail the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey to the region. The ship, which joined last September following her refurbishment, departed Doha, Qatar, on 9 November for stops in Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The route is scheduled to sail until January 18, 2025, before returning next winter.
Celestyal Discovery, which joined the fleet in March, is expected to resume tri-continental cruises from November 2025 to March 2026, stopping in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt. However, as fighting continues in the Gaza Strip, it is unclear when it will be safe for Israel to cruise.
Celestyal Journey is scheduled to run in three itineraries from April to October 2025. The heavenly Adriatic itinerary departs from Greece and includes visits to Montenegro, Croatia and Italy, with maiden stops in Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Bari and Catakolo. The Summer Heavenly Adriatic itinerary visits Montenegro, Croatia, Italy and Greece with a maiden stop in Venice. The idyllic Aegean itinerary will sail through the Greek islands and Turkey in 2025. Discovery will sail iconic three- and four-night Aegean cruises from March to November.
The schedule announcement follows the announcement of plans to replace two 1980s-era ships with a pair of younger vessels.
The line has formed its North American trade team with four new hires, bringing the total trade team membership to 11.
