Port & Destinations Issue 7

10 DISPATCHES
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GIBRALTAR MINISTRY FOR BUSINESS, TOURISM AND THE PORT 11
FOCUS ON
Gibraltar
Gibraltar might be small but with
everything from history and hiking to
a lazy day at the beach on offer, cruise
visitors are spoiled for choice.
Celestyal Journey starts sailing for Celestyal Cruises
in September this year.
JOURNEY INTO THE
future
Celestyal Cruises looks to boost UK bookings as it counts down to a new ship and
gives agents access to flycruise packages for the first time.
Busy times at Celestyal Cruises. The Greek line
had no sooner released details of Celestyal
Holidays, a trade-only brand agents can use
to book flight-inclusive cruise packages, than
it unveiled plans for Celestyal Journey, a ship
joining its fleet later this year.
The ship first, because as Celestyal itself
admits, it is quite a step up in the luxury
stakes for the line. It was built for Holland
America Line, most recently sailed for P&O
Australia and enters service in its new colours
on September 2, after a refurbishment costing
close to £18 million.
It has 630 cabins, of which 149 have a
private balcony – that’s three times more
than on Celestyal Crystal, the ship it will
replace on the company’s seven-night Idyllic
Aegean itinerary. Of those 149 rooms, 148 are
either junior or grand suites, while one lucky
passenger can bag a Penthouse.
The 1,260-passenger vessel has seven
places to eat – again way more than Celestyal
Crystal - eight bars and lounges, a large spa
and gym, a dedicated cooking demonstration
theatre and Chef’s Table venue, and lots of
open deck space, two outdoor pools and two
Jacuzzis.
Among planned changes, Celestyal will be
creating a private access Beach Club for suite
passengers. Those in Grand Suites will have
exclusive use of the Poseidon Lounge and a
concierge service.
And so to Celestyal Holidays. A trade-only
brand developed in partnership with Aviate,
it allows agents to package any of Celestyal’s
cruises with flights and pre and post-cruise
hotels. It’s a win for Celestyal as it makes
them more attractive to sellers and also a
win for agents as they will earn commission
on a whole package rather than just a cruiseonly
fare.
Celestyal’s chief commercial officer Lee
Haslett says: “I’m confident [this will help]
us achieve our growth objectives in the UK
while continuing to support our loyal trade
partners.”
Where to find Journey
Celestyal Journey will sail seven-night
Idyllic Aegean cruises in Greece round-trip
from Piraeus (Athens) starting September
2. These call into Thessaloniki, Kusadasi
(Turkey), Crete, Santorini, Mykonos and Milos,
and run until October. Prices from £1,089
per person departing September 2.
In October, the ship switches to two oneweek
Steps of Paul cruises from Piraeus that
call into Thessaloniki and Kavala in Greece,
Istanbul, Dikili and Kusadasi in Turkey, and
Patmos in Greece.
Celestyal Journey then sails seven-night
Three Continents cruises that visit Port Said
(Egypt), Ashdod (Israel), Limassol (Cyprus),
Rhodes (Greece) and Kusadasi (Turkey)
before departing on an 11-night festive cruise
that spends Christmas Eve and Day in Haifa
in Israel.
MAY 2023 | STOWAWAY MEDIA
PORTS & DESTINATIONS