Celestyal announces cancellations in 2024/2025 due to Red Sea tensions

This includes the 14-night repositioning cruises, ‘Ancient Athens to Dazzling Doha’ and its counterpart sailing ‘Dazzling Doha to Ancient Athens.’ These were scheduled to depart on October 26, 2024, and March 8, 2025, respectively, on Celestyal Journey.  

The ship will instead embark on a 34-night non-commercial repositioning cruise to and from Doha, Qatar. 

Some ‘Desert Days’ itineraries scrapped

To accommodate the longer repositioning cruises, the first three scheduled ‘Desert Days’ itineraries, set to depart from Doha on November 9, 16 and 23 will be cancelled. Celestyal Journey’s inaugural Arabian Gulf season now comprises nine seven-night ‘Desert Days’ sailings departing between November 2024 and March 2025, with the option to embark in either Doha, Abu Dhabi or Dubai, UAE.  

On Celestyal Journey’s return to Europe, the first three 2025 ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ itineraries, due to commence on March 22, 29 and April 5, 2025, have also been called off.

Maiden voyage in the Arabian Gulf

The ship’s maiden voyage in the Arabian Gulf will now be a slightly amended seven-night ‘Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix’ cruise, sailing round trip from Doha departing November 30. The programme includes three days in port in Doha to cover the Qatar Grand Prix, an overnight in Dubai Marina, as well as calls to Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. 

This voyage will be followed by a slightly amended seven-night ‘Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’ cruise, now sailing round trip from Dubai, departing December 2, with a full day and late-night stay in Abu Dhabi on December 8, to accommodate passengers attending the Grand Prix race. 

Homeporting in Doha 

Lee Haslett, CCO at Celestyal, explained, ‘We recently announced our full cruise programme through to March 2027 to build simplicity and assurance into our offering. In light of the current geopolitical climate in our original path of passage to this year’s winter season, we have decided to operate longer non-commercial repositioning sailings to and from Qatar. Celestyal Journey will continue to proudly homeport from Doha, Qatar from November 2024, for the next three winter seasons.’ 

Affected passengers have been offered alternative cruise options and/or reimbursement. 

Haslett said, ‘We remain steadfast in our commitment to our global year-round operation in the Greek islands, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf, and would like to thank our valued guests and trade partners for their understanding and support. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard Celestyal Journey for her inaugural Arabian Gulf season in late November this year.’