Celestyal Cruises has welcomed a new ship to its fleet – the Celestyal Journey, setting sail for the first time this September.

Following an extensive $21 million refurbishment and technical maintenance overhaul, the Celestyal Journey will embark on its maiden cruise on September 2, 2023, taking over the Celestyal Crystal’s program, initially on the popular seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ itinerary.

Penthouse suite

“It has always been our mission to renew and rejuvenate our fleet, and we’re thrilled to see this come to fruition with the arrival of the Celestyal Journey. She is already undergoing her extensive refurbishment program and will be deployed in a matter of just a few months,” said Celestyal Cruises’ CEO, Chris Theophilides.

“The Celestyal Journey will offer our guests more in the way of premium accommodations with balconies, a greater choice of dining and bar venues, public areas and open decks creating a greater sense of space.  At the same time, the newest member of the Celestyal family continues our tradition of operating intimate, mid-sized vessels, allowing us to take our guests to destinations that larger ships cannot, reinforcing our in-depth regional destination knowledge and genuine, warm Greek hospitality, both of which have consistently been recognized as second to none,” he added.

The Celestyal Journey will set sail on October 14, 2023, with the ‘Steps of Paul’ itinerary  followed by the seven-night ‘Three Continents’ itinerary, visiting Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and. Turkey, from October through December  2023. This will be followed by an exclusive 19-night Christmas holiday sailing, the 19-night, calling on Thessaloniki, Volos, Rhodes and Crete (Greece), Izmir, Kusadasi, Antalya, Istanbul (Turkey), Limassol (Cyprus), Alexandria (Egypt) and an overnight visit in Haifa (Israel) to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Holy Land.  This can also be split into eight- or nine-night itineraries.

Special launch offers will be announced shortly. Guests currently holding reservations on the Celestyal Crystal from September 2, 2023, onwards will be contacted by Celestyal and re-accommodated on sailings on the Celestyal Journey.

Celestyal Journey dining

Onboard Features

The 1,260-guest mid-sized vessel offers 630 staterooms, 149 of which feature balconies, three times that of the previously available balcony staterooms on Celestyal’s seven-night offering. Of the 149 balcony staterooms, 120 are Junior Suites, 28 are Grand Suites and one is the spacious Penthouse Concept Suite. In addition, the ship boasts 80% outside staterooms as well as a high guest-to-space ratio.

For dining, guests will find seven venues onboard, including specialty and themed restaurants ranging from Mediterranean to European and Asian. Plus, a cooking demonstration area and an exclusive Chef’s Table venue will be available, ideal for celebrating special occasions or for private group functions. There’ll also be eight bars and lounges, each with its own distinctive character.

There’ll be plenty of space to spread out onboard as the Celestyal Journey features many open deck areas, including expansive sundecks with two pools and two Jacuzzis. Guests can also make use of a secluded and tranquil outdoor space called the Beach Club, exclusively available for those staying in Grand Suites and Junior Suites. Guests booked in Grand Suites will also have access to Celestyal’s Concierge Service, which features a dedicated priority check-in counter, expedited embarkation and express luggage delivery service including assistance with unpacking. A dedicated Celestyal Cruises’ Concierge will be available in the exclusive-use Poseidon Lounge to assist Grand Suite guests with tailored service requests.

Rounding out the ship’s amenities are a comprehensive spa, fitness and wellness area with ocean views, two fully-equipped conference rooms, and a multi-purpose amphitheatre with a cinema.

Double bed suite

Celestyal Journey pool

Source: Travelweek