Celestyal expands to year-round cruising with launch of winter 2024-25 programme

Celestyal Cruises has expanded to a year-round operation and introduced Persian Gulf sailings for winter 2024-25.

From November 9, Celestyal Journey (pictured) will operate a seven-night Desert Days itinerary from Doha, visiting four new countries and six new ports of call for the line.

The 1,260-passenger ship will sail round-trip cruises calling at Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab in Oman, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi until January 18, 2025, after which Celestyal will operate three, four, five and seven-night variations of the itinerary until April 2025.

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The Desert Days itinerary will return as a permanent fixture for the 2025-26 winter season.

Meanwhile, Celestyal Discovery will operate the line’s Three Continents itinerary between November and March 2025, calling at Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt.

New 2024 and 2025 itineraries are on sale now and form part of the line’s winter savings promotion, with prices for a seven-night Desert Days cruise leading in at £469.

Celestyal is also offering 50% off all Celestyal Plus+ Experience packages, along with reduced single supplements of 30% and low child fares, with up to 70% off the third or fourth guest in a cabin.

Janet Parton, vice-president business development for the UK, Europe & Australia, said the new itineraries have been introduced in response to travel agent and customer feedback, adding she is “so excited” about the plans.

“The introduction of new ships and destinations, including the Persian Gulf cruises, shows that we are listening to guest and travel agent feedback and expanding upon the core elements of our product,” she said.

“We are committed to working with our UK trade partners and are thrilled to give them even more reason to promote Celestyal to their clients.”

Global chief commercial officer Lee Haslett said airlift was a “key” factor for the line when choosing to expand into the Persian Gulf, and he encouraged agents to take advantage of the range of regional airports operating flights to the UAE.

“There is loads of regional UK airlift going to the region which presents a massive opportunity for agents,” he said.

“This part of the world is already a strong winter-sun destination for the Brits so there’s huge potential here.”