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Celestyal shares first look of new Celestyal Discovery cabins ahead of inaugural Arabian Gulf season - Middle East Business News and Information

Celestyal shares first look of new Celestyal Discovery cabins ahead of inaugural Arabian Gulf season - Middle East Business News and Information

Mid East Infoa day ago

Dubai, UAE: Celestyal has released the first official images of its enhanced cabin offering onboard Celestyal Discovery, following the ship's second extensive winter refit in Athens earlier this year.
The 1360-guest ship returned to service in March 2025 to launch the line's Mediterranean season and will head to the Arabian Gulf for December for its maiden deployment in the region.
Among the upgrades are 47 new staterooms – including 30 'Junior Dream Suites' and two 'Grand Horizon Suites' located above the bridge with 15.5m² balconies – increasing the ship's premium capacity by more than 50%. Fifteen additional interior 'Cosmos Cabins' have also been added, resulting in a 7.4% overall capacity uplift.
The new staterooms were developed in partnership with design agency AMK, incorporating design elements inspired by the regions the ship visits.
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: 'This winter's refit programme onboard Celestyal Discovery speaks volumes about our continued investment into our guest experience. We've not only added more balcony staterooms but enhanced our premium cabin options to meet growing demand for more space and comfort, while preserving the small-ship charm and personal service that we're known for. These images showcase just how far we've come, and we're incredibly proud to be taking Celestyal Discovery to the Arabian Gulf for the very first time this December.'
Celestyal Discovery will make its Arabian Gulf debut on December 12, 2025, joining its fleet mate Celestyal Journey, which returns to the region on December 6, with a Grand Prix celebratory sailing.
The ships will offer a season of three-, four- and seven-night cruises from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, with sailings scheduled through to March 2026 – and set to continue for the next three consecutive years.
Celestyal Discovery will homeport from Abu Dhabi for the next three seasons, and the Arabian Gulf itineraries include: A weekly three-night 'Iconic Arabia' cruise: roundtrip from Abu Dhabi (Friday to Monday) with calls to Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island, offering beach and wildlife safari experiences. Prices from $339.
A weekly four-night 'Iconic Arabia' cruise: roundtrip from Abu Dhabi (Monday to Friday) with calls to Doha, Dubai (via Ras Al Khaimah), and Khasab in Oman. Prices from $429.
All three- and four-night 'Iconic Arabia' cruises are combinable, with seven nights from $689.
The release of the imagery coincides with the recent launch of Celestyal's Summer Promotion, running until August 31, 2025, offering up to 60% off across 87 sailings from June 2025 to March 2027.
All promotional fares include meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. Guests will also receive 25% extra on all credit added to their CelestyalPay tab before departure, earning up to €250 onboard spend.
About Celestyal:
Celestyal, an award-winning and year-round cruise company, continues to set the standard for unmissable travel experiences in the Greek Islands, the Adriatic, and the Arabian Gulf. Built on a foundation of unique Greek heritage, the company excels in delivering exceptional hospitality, ensuring genuine cultural immersion both onboard and onshore. Operating two brand new vessels, accommodating up to 1360 passengers each, Celestyal prioritizes highly personalised services, establishing a high-end environment that welcomes over 140,000 passengers annually from more than 130 different nationalities.

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Celestyal shares first look of new Celestyal Discovery cabins ahead of inaugural Arabian Gulf season - Middle East Business News and Information
Celestyal shares first look of new Celestyal Discovery cabins ahead of inaugural Arabian Gulf season - Middle East Business News and Information

Mid East Info

timea day ago

  • Mid East Info

Celestyal shares first look of new Celestyal Discovery cabins ahead of inaugural Arabian Gulf season - Middle East Business News and Information

Dubai, UAE: Celestyal has released the first official images of its enhanced cabin offering onboard Celestyal Discovery, following the ship's second extensive winter refit in Athens earlier this year. The 1360-guest ship returned to service in March 2025 to launch the line's Mediterranean season and will head to the Arabian Gulf for December for its maiden deployment in the region. Among the upgrades are 47 new staterooms – including 30 'Junior Dream Suites' and two 'Grand Horizon Suites' located above the bridge with 15.5m² balconies – increasing the ship's premium capacity by more than 50%. Fifteen additional interior 'Cosmos Cabins' have also been added, resulting in a 7.4% overall capacity uplift. The new staterooms were developed in partnership with design agency AMK, incorporating design elements inspired by the regions the ship visits. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: 'This winter's refit programme onboard Celestyal Discovery speaks volumes about our continued investment into our guest experience. We've not only added more balcony staterooms but enhanced our premium cabin options to meet growing demand for more space and comfort, while preserving the small-ship charm and personal service that we're known for. These images showcase just how far we've come, and we're incredibly proud to be taking Celestyal Discovery to the Arabian Gulf for the very first time this December.' Celestyal Discovery will make its Arabian Gulf debut on December 12, 2025, joining its fleet mate Celestyal Journey, which returns to the region on December 6, with a Grand Prix celebratory sailing. The ships will offer a season of three-, four- and seven-night cruises from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, with sailings scheduled through to March 2026 – and set to continue for the next three consecutive years. Celestyal Discovery will homeport from Abu Dhabi for the next three seasons, and the Arabian Gulf itineraries include: A weekly three-night 'Iconic Arabia' cruise: roundtrip from Abu Dhabi (Friday to Monday) with calls to Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island, offering beach and wildlife safari experiences. Prices from $339. A weekly four-night 'Iconic Arabia' cruise: roundtrip from Abu Dhabi (Monday to Friday) with calls to Doha, Dubai (via Ras Al Khaimah), and Khasab in Oman. Prices from $429. All three- and four-night 'Iconic Arabia' cruises are combinable, with seven nights from $689. The release of the imagery coincides with the recent launch of Celestyal's Summer Promotion, running until August 31, 2025, offering up to 60% off across 87 sailings from June 2025 to March 2027. All promotional fares include meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. Guests will also receive 25% extra on all credit added to their CelestyalPay tab before departure, earning up to €250 onboard spend. About Celestyal: Celestyal, an award-winning and year-round cruise company, continues to set the standard for unmissable travel experiences in the Greek Islands, the Adriatic, and the Arabian Gulf. Built on a foundation of unique Greek heritage, the company excels in delivering exceptional hospitality, ensuring genuine cultural immersion both onboard and onshore. Operating two brand new vessels, accommodating up to 1360 passengers each, Celestyal prioritizes highly personalised services, establishing a high-end environment that welcomes over 140,000 passengers annually from more than 130 different nationalities.

Shaikha Al Nowais highlights strategic vision for the future of tourism at Investopia Global
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Shaikha Al Nowais highlights strategic vision for the future of tourism at Investopia Global

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Investopia Global launches New Economy Talks in Cyprus to boost UAE–Mediterranean investment partnerships - Middle East Business News and Information
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Investopia Global launches New Economy Talks in Cyprus to boost UAE–Mediterranean investment partnerships - Middle East Business News and Information

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