Latest news with #IconicArabia
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Celestyal repositioning cruises offer winter sun at 60 per cent discount
Celestyal Cruises has unveiled its latest repositioning cruise itineraries – letting passengers sail with the brand and enjoy winter sun for up to 60 per cent cheaper than usual. A repositioning cruise moves ships to their next homeport or departure base between peak periods. The itinerary typically has fewer stops as you are essentially staying on board while the vessel relocates for its next season but that is often reflected in the cruise fare. After spending the summer and autumn months in the Mediterranean, Celestyal will be relocating its ships to the Arabian Gulf for the 2025/2026 winter season. Passengers can come along for the repositioning and book a cabin for a new 14-night Ancient Athens to Amazing Abu Dhabi itinerary across the two-ship fleet. These voyages still offer several stops during the repositioning. The cruise line will also return to Egypt for the first time in two years, and will make its debut in Jordan and Saudi Arabia during these itineraries. Celestyal Journey will depart Athens on 22 November 2025, calling at Port Said and with maiden calls to Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba, Jeddah and Muscat, followed by Dubai. Prices start from £857 per person for the 14 nights. If you can travel outside of peak periods, the repositioning cruise can work out up to 61 per cent cheaper than other dates and routes with the brand. For example, Celestyal's 14-night Mediterranean Icons cruise from Athens costs from £2,209 per person when sailing in May 2025. The repositioning is also 55 per cent cheaper than doing a 14-night Mediterranean cruise with Celestyal in August. There are also shorter options such as a four-night sailing from Athens to Sharm El Sheikh from £262 per person compared with a four-night Iconic Greek Islands cruise that would cost from £599 in May – a 56 per cent difference. The ship will arrive in Abu Dhabi on 6 December 2025, in time for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. She then departs on her Desert Days and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sailing on 7 December, which costs from £629 per person for seven nights. Alternatively, Celestyal Discovery, which has just had a refit to add 47 new cabins, refreshed decor and a new Smoked Olive restaurant, departs from Athens on 28 November and follows the same route with an additional call at Kusadasi, Turkey. Cruise fares start from £795 per person for 14-nights and there is also a four-day route from £262 per person. The ship arrives for her maiden call into Abu Dhabi on 13 December 2025. Her inaugural winter season will sail three, four and seven-night Iconic Arabia itineraries, with the ship homeporting over the winter season in the Arabian Gulf for the next three years. The Iconic Arabia cruises start from £279 per person based on a three-night sailing. At the end of winter next year, Celestyal Discovery will cruise from Abu Dhabi on 6 March 2026 for its repositioning, charting the same return course and arriving back into Athens for the summer Greece and Mediterranean season. Celestyal Journey will depart Abu Dhabi on 21 March. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: "Last year, we committed to offering our guests even more destinations. 'Whether they are returning travellers or new to cruising, we welcome everyone with the warm hospitality that is at the heart of our heritage. Our tenth anniversary year will be bigger than ever, beginning with extensive renovations across our fleet and an expanded programme featuring two new countries, four new ports of call, and a long-awaited return to Egypt.'
Zawya
04-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Celestyal refines ‘Iconic Arabia' sailings for 2025 following a successful first Arabian Gulf season
Dubai, UAE – Soon to conclude its first Arabian Gulf season in March, Celestyal has announced an itinerary refresh for its new-for-2025, Arabian Gulf three-, and four-night 'Iconic Arabia' sailings onboard Celestyal Discovery. Based on feedback from the hugely popular first season, guests and their valued travel agent community and regional partners, the itineraries will now feature additional stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, with the introduction of Ras Al Khaimah as a new port of call. The new itineraries have been renamed and are as follows: Iconic Arabia, featuring Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas Island: three-night long weekend sailings departing on a Friday, roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, visiting the dazzling sights of Dubai and then onto the exclusive Sir Bani Yas Island for a combination of beach and wildlife safari experiences. Prices start from €309/$359/£279/AU$509pp. Iconic Arabia, featuring Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Oman- four-night mid-week sailings: departing on a Monday, roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at the iconic cities of Doha and Dubai (via Ras Al Khaimah) mixed with the more relaxed coastal port of Khasab in Oman. Prices start from €389/$459/ £349/AU$629pp. The prices above are part of the current 'Live Your Vacation Dream' promotion available on new bookings made until March 16, 2025, and include up to €100 of complimentary specialty drinks and dining per person pre-loaded on each guest's CelestyalPay tab*. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: 'We strive to deliver unmissable experiences, and in doing so constantly listen to our guests, and travel agent community. Following a hugely successful first season in the Arabian Gulf we learnt more about what our guests and partners would like to see and are excited to announce these changes based on their feedback. Since launching our winter season Arabian Gulf itineraries, we've been thrilled by the positive response and the growing interest from both repeat and new-to-cruise customers in exploring this spectacular region. 'Our guests have told us they love iconic destinations like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, as well as discovering more off-the-beaten-track ports that are synonymous with a Celestyal voyage, such as Sir Bani Yas Island and the coastal resort of Khasab. We're known for our destination immersive and port intensive cruises, so we have refined our 2025 itineraries to offer more time in our guests favourite ports, while adding an additional port in the stunning Ras Al Khaimah.' The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will commence her inaugural Arabian Gulf season in the region on December 12, 2025, joining her fleet mate, the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, who returns to the Arabian Gulf on December 6, 2025. Celestyal Journey will operate the popular 'Desert Days' itinerary as planned, starting the season with an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise. The cruise line will then offer a combination of 7-night, 3- and 4-night Gulf itineraries from December through to March on both ships, for the next three consecutive seasons. For more information, visit -Ends- * Introduced last year, CelestyalPay is a prepaid specialty food and beverage tab used onboard for any non-complimentary food and drink purchases. Guests can either add the charges to their account as they go or will be invited to preload their CelestyalPay prior to, or on the first day of sailing to receive top-up bonus credit from the cruise line. 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.
