‘As we begin to resume cruise operations this summer season, we are delighted to also announce our plans for the next two years, which includes the very exciting introduction of the Celestyal Experience to our fleet,’ said Leslie Peden, chief commercial officer, Celestyal Cruises.
‘This ship is a game-changer for us… Celestyal Experience embodies Celestyal Cruises’ commitment to offering an intimate, authentically Greek experience onboard a contemporary, well-appointed, mid-sized cruise ship.
‘She will undoubtedly be instrumental in driving our continued growth.’
Sailing three Continents
Celestyal Experience will sail a seven-night ‘Three Continents’ itinerary from March 5, 2022, calling Athens and Rhodes, Greece, Kusadasi, Turkey, Ashdod, Israel, Port Said, Egypt and Limassol, Cyprus.
Commencing January 7, 2023, the ship will operate seven- and -14-night three continent voyages year-round. All-inclusive pricing starts at £759 pp.
Aegean itineraries
Starting April 9, 2022, Celestyal Experience will sail to Thessaloniki on a seven-night voyage; the location will serve as an additional embarkation port, due to ease of access for Balkan states and Northern Greece.
Highlights include an overnight stay in Istanbul and a visit to the hanging monasteries of Meteora, the northern, centuries-old Greek port of Kavala and Philippi – home to Europe’s first Christian church.
An 'Eclectic Aegean' itinerary will begin with Celestyal Experience on March 4 for six sailings and return for a further 10 sailings on October 28 on board Celestyal Olympia, offering both Christmas and New Year departures for the first time.
All-inclusive pricing starts at £779 pp.
On April 30, 2022 Celestyal Experience will begin its ‘Idyllic Aegean’ programme, starting in Athens and visiting Rhodes, Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, Greece and Ephesus, Kusadasi, Turkey with prices from £759 pp all inclusive.
On October 15, the ship will sail a one-time ‘Steps of Paul’ itinerary, tracing the footsteps of St. Paul the Apostle across the Mediterranean.
Passengers will join expert guides on a religious and historical journey to St. Paul’s birthplace in what was once the Roman city of Tarsus. Guests will also visit St. Paul’s Tribune at the Vlatadon Monastery, Philippi and be able to ride a cable car to the Acropolis in Pergamon or visit the ancient city of Ephesus.
In 2023, Celestyal Experience will offer additional ‘Idyllic Aegean’ sailings commencing April 15 through to October 14, when it will operate two seven-night 'Steps of Paul' voyages.
Festive sailings
Celestyal Experience will end 2022 with two sailings: a 10-night Christmas special on December 17, 2022 starting from Piraeus, and calling Thessaloniki, Izmir, Rhodes, Greece, Limassol, Cyprus and Alexandria, Egypt with an overnight visit in Haifa, Israel; prices are from £1,089 pp.
An eight-night New Year sailing beginning December 27 will visit Heraklion, Santorini, Greece and Kusadasi, Turkey with an overnight stay in Istanbul for New Year’s Eve fireworks and Volos. Prices are from £979 pp.
Both sailings can be combined for an 18-night voyage spanning the entire Eastern Med with prices from £1,889 pp.
In 2023, the same festive sailings will take place on December 16 with an 11-night Christmas departure and on December 27 for the New Year celebration.
Celestyal Experience
New flagship vessel, Celestyal Experience, was added to the fleet in 2020 and scheduled to sail this year, but was postponed due to the pandemic.
It has a capacity of up to 1,800-guests in 789 staterooms, 166 of which feature balconies, sea terraces and bridge-view verandas.
Having recently undergone extensive refurbishment, the ship will offer an intimate onboard guest experience; it is designed to access smaller ports.
Three- and four-night Celestyal Olympia sailings
Celestyal Olympia will set sail March 4, 2022 with its Iconic Discovery itinerary and continue with Iconic Aegean sailings on March 14 until October 28, before returning to Iconic Discovery sailings between October 31 and November 25.
The three-night Iconic Aegean itineraries begin in Lavrion Port and Marina, Athens and call in Mykonos, Patmos, Crete and Santorini, Greece and Kusadasi, Turkey, with prices from £369 pp.
Four-night Iconic Aegean itineraries beginning in Lavrion Port and Marina Athens and calling Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete and Santorini in Greece and Kusadasi in Turkey cost from £469 pp.
On both the three-night and four-night winter Iconic Discovery itineraries, Syros – a destination added last year – is featured and a full day in Santorini included on all departures.
Syros offers the chance for a walking tour to Ermoupoli, City Hall, the Apollo Theatre, which is a miniature version of La Scala in Milan and the first shipyard in Greece.
A second included shore excursion will be offered to the ancient city of Ephesus during the ship’s full day stay in Kusadasi, Turkey.
The all-inclusive three-night Iconic Discovery itinerary costs from £369 pp and the four-night Iconic Discovery itinerary from £469 pp.
In 2023, the Iconic Discovery programme will begin March 3, with a three-night voyage.
Bookings open May 20
All 2022/23 cruises feature the Celestyal All-Inclusive Experience comprising unlimited classic drinks, locally-inspired cuisine, entertainment, two shore excursions, port and service charges and gratuities included in the fare.
All 2022 and 2023 cruises will be available for booking from May 20.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.  |
