Celestyal Cruises the award-winning, number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean, has released details of its 2021 and 2022 deployment featuring new ports of call in Syros, Agios Nikolaos (Crete) and Thessaloniki, additional seven-night Steps of Paul sailings due popular demand and amended itineraries to ensure guests enjoy as much time ashore as possible. Highlights of the 2021 and 2022 sailings include:
New three- and four-night ‘Iconic Discovery’ sailings on Celestyal Olympia
With the continued extension of Celestyal Cruises’ operating seasons each year the company is excited to launch an amended version of its hugely popular three- and four-night Iconic Aegean cruises. Aptly named ‘Iconic Discovery’ these winter sailings round trip from Athens take into account the shorter daylight hours and areas of interest during the time of the season that these departures are offered. On both the three-night and four-night Aegean Discovery itineraries, Syros is introduced as a new destination well worth discovering and a full day in Santorini is also included in all departures. Syros is the administrative capital of the Cyclades and is one of the smallest islands within the group. With its resplendent pastel-hued villas cascading down the Ermoupoli hill, this island is rich in history and culture and provides visitors with a slice of Greek perfection without the crowds. Celestyal Cruises will be offering guests a Syros Walking Tour as an included shore excursion taking in the highlights of the island including Ermoupoli which is known as the town of Hermes; City Hall which was designed by German architect Ernst Ziller; the Apollo Theatre which is a miniature version of La Scala in Milan and was designed by Italian architect Pietro Campo; and the first shipyard in Greece which continues operating to this day. A second included shore excursion will be offered to the ancient city of Ephesus during the ship’s full day stay in Kusadasi, Turkey.
Winter departures for the three- and four-night ‘Iconic Discovery’ are from 25th October to 26th November 2021; 4th to 11th March 2022; and 31st October to 25th November 2022.
Summer mini-break sailings for the ever-popular three- and four-night ‘Iconic Aegean’ itinerary remains unchanged between 15th March and 22nd October 2021; and 14th March to 28th October 2022.
Seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ sailings on Celestyal Crystal
On the seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ itinerary round trip from Athens, Heraklion (Crete) is replaced with Agios Nikolaos (Crete) which is a beautiful harbor town situated on the north eastern side of Crete overlooking the peaceful Mirabello Bay and the ‘bottomless’ Lake Voulismeni. This charming, upmarket town has plenty to offer in the way of shopping and dining and is undoubtedly one of the most delightful destinations in Crete. Celestyal Cruises offers five pre-bookable excursions from Agios Nikolaos: The Palace of Knossos & Cosmopolitan Heraklion; A Delectable Day in Crete; a River Trekking Tour through the amazing Richtis Gorge; a Cretan Jeep Safari; and the Crystal Clear Waters of Elounda & Spinalonga.
The seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ cruise has departures between 3rd April and 9th October 2021 and 30th April and 8th October 2022.
Seven-night ‘Eclectic Aegean’ sailings on Celestyal Crystal
Celestyal Cruises has amended the ‘Eclectic Aegean’ itinerary to maximize time ashore and to enable a new embarkation/disembarkation port for the added convenience of drive markets from the Balkans and additional airlift from Western and Northern Europe. Thessaloniki has replaced Heraklion and there is now a full day in Santorini, guaranteeing ‘sunsets’ on all departures, even in the spring, autumn and winter. Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece with a rich cultural and culinary heritage, stellar nightlife and laid-back authenticity. With midnight departures from Thessaloniki, guests will have the whole day to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Known as Greece’s ‘hippest city’, Thessaloniki boasts 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 29 museums as well as a spectacular waterfront featuring a series of themed gardens, statues and sculptures. Pre-bookable excursions in Thessaloniki include Panoramic Thessaloniki; The Royal Tombs of Vergina and Land of Alexander The Great.
The seven-night ‘Eclectic Aegean’ has departures between 23rd October and 6th November 2021, 9th to 23rd April 2022 and 29th October to 12th November 2022.
Our award-winning Seven-night ‘Three Continents’ sailings on Celestyal Crystal
Celestyal Cruises has removed the technical call into Alexandria, Egypt on the ‘Three Continents’ itinerary and Celestyal Crystal will sail directly from Athens to Port Said, Egypt, maximizing the included full-day excursion to Cairo with a visit to the Pyramidis of Giza.
The seven-night ‘Three Continents’ cruise has departures between 6th and 27th March 2021; 20th November till 25th Dec 2021 with a special New Years sailing which includes an extra free night onboard in Athens upon the return; 5th March to 2nd April 2022 and 19th November to 31st December 2022 including Christmas and New Year departures.
Seven-night ‘Steps of St Paul’ sailings on Celestyal Crystal
Celestyal Cruises has added extra departures to this special itinerary due to popular demand, which traces the footsteps of St. Paul, the Apostle, across the Mediterranean. Guests will join expert guides on a religious and historical journey with visits to St. Paul’s birthplace in what was once the Roman city of Tarsus and is now part of Turkey. Guests will also visit St. Paul’s Tribune at the Vlatadon Monastery, Philippi, the prison where St. Paul and St. Sylas were held captive, and will have the opportunity to ride a cable car to the Acropolis in Pergamon as well as visit the ancient city of Ephesus.
The seven-night ‘Steps of St Paul’ has departures on 16th October and 13th November 2021, and 15th and 22nd October 2022.
All 2021 and 2022 cruises feature the award-winning Celestyal all-inclusive experience with unlimited classic drinks, all locally-inspired cuisine on-board, entertainment, two shore excursions, port and service charges and gratuities included in the fare.
“For 2021 and 2022 our midsized ships will focus on our most popular, less crowded and award-winning itineraries that showcase the best of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. The new undiscovered destinations of Syros, Agios Nikolaos and Thessaloniki will not only provide our guests with outstanding new experiences but they complement the existing itineraries and will ensure guests maximize time ashore.” said Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Leslie Peden.
The 2021 and 2022 itineraries went live for sale on 8th May. A digital brochure can be downloaded here: Brochures Celestyal
About Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises has fast built an award-winning reputation and recognition as the number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and East Mediterranean thanks to its regional expertise and exceptional hospitality. The company operates two vessels, each one cosy enough to provide genuine and highly personalized services. The foundation of the company’s philosophy is built on a unique Greek heritage which combines outstanding hospitality with genuine cultural destination immersion and provides authentic, lifetime experiences both onboard and onshore.
Awards
In June 2020, Celestyal Cruises received three Tourism Awards in the largest and most prestigious competition for the Greek tourism industry, recognizing best business practices and innovation by Greek tourism companies and institutions. For the seventh consecutive year, Celestyal Cruises took top honors with three Tourism Awards: Platinum Award for Guest Experience Excellence, Gold Award for Familiarization Initiatives for Special International Target Groups and Silver Award for Solo Travel.
In February 2020, Celestyal Cruises was honoured at the Cruise Excellence Awards for its “3 Continents” cruise, as the best cruise itinerary for 2019.
In June 2019, Celestyal Cruises was honoured for its overall contribution and commitment to the development of the cruise industry in the East Med region at the MedCruise Awards in Genoa.
In December 2019 and 2018 respectively Celestyal Cruises was given the UK Editors’ Picks Award for Best Service by Cruise Critic, the world’s largest cruise reviews site and online cruise community. In February 2018 Celestyal Cruises received four Cruise Critic Cruisers Choice Awards: two first place awards, for Shore Excursions and Value, and two second place awards, for Service and Entertainment.
Corporate Responsibility
Celestyal Cruises is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical business practices. The company actively supports the local communities in the destinations it visits, particularly in the field of education. Since 2015, more than 2000 students on the Greek islands of Milos, Patmos, Samos and Ios have enjoyed a ‘journey to knowledge’, by attending specialized educational programs, initiated by Celestyal Cruises. Additionally, Celestyal Cruises supports cultural NGOs to promote youth entrepreneurship, marine student development and child welfare.
ISO Certification
The entire spectrum of Celestyal Cruises’ ship management, including technical, hotel and crew management, and offices, are certified in accordance with ISO 9001/14001 standards. The certifying authority is DNV-GL, which is by widely recognized as the biggest and most respected rating agency in the marine industry.
