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From English-speaking hosts on excursions, to daily programmes, menus and onboard announcements, you’ll always be part of the conversation.
Jazzed-up Nightlife Areas and a Mix of Latino and Greek Entertainment
The "Louis Olympia" was the first ship to receive the new livery in early February 2014. The iconic islands of the Cyclades are undoubtedly one of the most magical experiences in the eastern Mediterranean. With cosmopolitan architecture and clusters of iconic white-painted houses perched atop reddish-black volcanic cliffs, the exquisite natural settings of the Greek islands beckon to take you on a journey that most will only dream of. And as you meander through the charming narrow lanes, there is a pleasant surprise around every corner. We’re the number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and Mediterranean – a fact we love to share. The ship is small by today's standards but seemed clean and some refurbishment was ongoing.
Bars & Lounges
Two levels up on deck 11, the ship's fitness room has had a complete overhaul, with shiny new cardio machines and free weights, and it sits right next to the similarly up-styled Sozo Beauty and Wellness Centre. You might not feel like you're boarding a brand-new ship when you first step onto Celestyal Discovery, but both inside and out the vast majority of the vessel feels smart, polished and freshly rejuvenated. Besides keeping the original artworks and occasional vestige of its previous incarnation (as AIDAaura) in the form of German-forward signage, Discovery felt like its own ship. Plus, there was no last-minute finishing touches taking place that can often take the shine off first impressions.
Is everything free on Celestyal cruises?
Our cruises take you further down the ancient streets and along the glittering coastline to uncover the spirit of our part of the world. Expert guides lead you in the footsteps of ancient civilizations and iconic figures, digging beneath the surface to bring the stories that have shaped our lands to life. By immersing you in the destinations of your cruise, we inspire you to truly connect with our home.
Celestyal cruises are generally short and port-intensive, so the most popular activities for cruisers are off the ship, exploring, dining out in local restaurants or hanging out at the beach. Onboard, hanging out by the pool and playing in the casino are both popular, and the international audience tends to enjoy the nighttime production shows and the cabaret. One night, you can gaze in wonder at the acrobats and musical performers as we sail across the islands. And the next, you’ll journey to the heart of burlesque and fill your evening with dancing and singing at our weekly Cabaret show. For a mid-size ship, Journey has an impressive choice of dining and bar options, albeit no 24-hour room service.
Celestyal Cruises will sail Persian Gulf voyages - Travel Weekly
Celestyal Cruises will sail Persian Gulf voyages.
Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Mediterranean
There is one formal night per cruise (except on the three-day cruises), where the outfits ranged from beaded jackets and black pants or sundresses for women, and sport coats or collared shirts for men. All Dream Suite guests have access to The Beach Club, a secluded and tranquil outdoor space, with ice cream stations and juice corners. A dedicated Celestyal Concierge will be available in the exclusive-use Compass Lounge to assist Grand Suite guests with tailored service requests.
That said, the newly refreshed vessel still offered plenty of traditional cruising fun on board, with a lively programme of music, entertainment and activities to enjoy between all the sightseeing. Today, the ship boasts 630 staterooms, including 120 Junior Suites and 28 Grand Suites. Eight bars and lounges, including a decadent champagne bar and indulgent wine cellar, round off the evening relaxation, while two pools (plus an entire deck dedicated to wellness) caters to daytime relaxation. Vintage 1920s decor is featured throughout the ship, with film star prints of Sophia Loren and the like, retro light fittings, and a grand central staircase. The ship doesn't try to woo passengers with a trendy design, Broadway entertainment or thrilling water slides.
Public areas have been redesigned with Greek murals representing the islands visited, and bars and restaurants renamed with Greek names -- again to reflect the Greek heritage. Celestyal Cruises' professed aim for Discovery to be a destination-focused ship certainly felt to have been realised on my three days on board. Excursion opportunities came thick and fast, and would certainly appeal to those looking to pack a lot in. In fact, many of the passengers (who represented a broad mix of nationalities) had tagged this cruise onto a wider European itinerary as a convenient way to cover Greek island highlights.
The ship has 633 cabins, of which 62 (or almost 10 percent) have balconies. Mine was an XC Exterior stateroom, which had been refreshed but not restyled. While a little dated, it was colourful and comfortable with all the basics – TV, hairdryer, safe and shower room – plus a good-sized window. There's talk of starting a modernisation roll-out of cabins across the ship at the next dry dock, but until then you should expect a slightly more 'vintage' style of cabin. Evidence of where the money has been spent is mostly on show in the ship's public areas. Largely confined to decks 8 and 9, inside social spaces have been completely overhauled with a fresh, contemporary look and new-to-the-line additions such as Café Nation gourmet coffee shop.
Celestyal Journey comes with Wi-Fi included and features two fully equipped conference rooms, which along with its multi-purpose Amphitheatre make her the perfect choice for meetings and incentives. Slide into the Blue Bar & Lounge, where mellow piano tunes and laid-back lounging will take you to new levels of go-with-the-flow. Or pick up the pace in our new Fizz Club, where Signature Cocktails and fresh ingredients plucked straight from the islands will have you all aflutter. And with spellbinding and spectacular shows and entertainment to see you through the evening, there’s plenty to see you into the early hours.
Instead, it invests all its energy into the places it visits -- spending longer time in port than most mainstream cruise lines and offering top-notch shore excursions. If you’re looking for a company that knows its Greek islands and their accompanying cultural heritage inside and out, Celestyal is the cruise line for you. With immersive shore excursions and engaging onboard entertainment, the Greek cruise operator's mid-size ships are an intimate way to explore the Mediterranean.
Secure your sailing with a deposit, then no need to pay until 60 days before your departure. We’ve been recognized more than 80 times over the past nine years, for everything from five-star service to incredible itineraries. Our cruises offer exceptional value for money compared to other Greek Isles cruises, with packages that make sure you get the best from your budget. On Greek Night the line suggests that passengers wear blue and white, the colors of the Greek flag.
Discover our all-inclusive cruises today and find out more about our authentic excursions. From a blissful night’s sleep, to daytime grazing in Fig & Honey, or moonlit dishes at Thalassa — we invite you to feast like the ancients in our decadent new restaurants and enjoy more choice than ever. Get the full star private dining experience at our new, exclusive Chef’s Table, or wander further afield to Pink Moon, our exquisite Asian-inspired restaurant. Find fresh Mediterranean bites at our new Smoked Olive restaurant or go big with grilled everything at Grill Seekers.
But to enjoy a cruise on Celestyal Crystal you'll need to be OK with sailing on a bare-bones ship. It's small by modern standards (with a capacity for 1,200 passengers as opposed to the 4,000-plus passengers you see on mega-ships), but it has a big-ship feel. You'll find many of the standard features you would on a big ship -- including two main dining rooms, a buffet, a spa and fitness center, a pool and hot tub, and a number of bars -- but it's all scaled down. There will also be a few surprise additions to the customer offering, which will be added during her imminent refurbishment program.
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