Celestyal Cruises, the true specialist in destination centric cruising, today announced that the line has received five top 2017 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards.
Cruise Critic’s annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards are based solely on the ratings from everyday cruisers’ reviews. These awards speak to the outstanding experience and value Celestyal Cruises guests enjoy in the ratings they have given the line, which determine the rankings in the Cruisers’ Choice awards.
“Celestyal Cruises is focused on providing an authentic, destination-centric experience in each port we visit, including our off-the-beaten path destinations throughout the Aegean and in Cuba,” said Kyriakos Anastassiadis, CEO of Celestyal Cruises. “We are very pleased to deliver the highest quality experiences to our guests on our cruises as well as the best value. Further to that point, this year we are pleased to expand our “Celestyal Inclusive Experience” in both Cuba and the Aegean featuring fares that cover everything within one price including: Full board accommodation, Drink packages for unlimited consumption that include premium brands, the best shore excursions, our award-winning on-board entertainment, and gratuities. Having our cruise line receive these awards demonstrates how much our commitment to excellence and value is appreciated and recognized by our cruise guests.”
Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards include reviews submitted for cruises taken during 2016, and are given in four categories: Large (2,000 passengers and more), Mid-Size (1,200-1,999), Small-Mid (400- 1,199) and Small (fewer than 400). Celestyal Cruises scooped up four of the top, first place awards in the mid-sized ship category including: Best for Value, Best for Entertainment, Best for Shore Excursions, and Best for Embarkation. The cruise line additionally placed in the top 10 for Best Overall cruise line.
This exciting announcement comes just as Celestyal Cruises expands its “Celestyal Inclusive Experience” to all sailings in both the Aegean and in Cuba, featuring enticing rates that cover all cruise components – including beverages, the best shore excursions and gratuities — representing the greatest value for cruise travelers. Embarking on its 4th year of cruise operation in Cuba after three successful seasons, Celestyal Cruises now sails to Cuba year-round, providing unique cruises to Cuba that include two full days in Havana, plus calls at Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. For U.S. travelers, a people-to-people itinerary is offered that meets current U.S. legal requirements for a full time program of educational and cultural exchange activities. In the Aegean, Celestyal Cruises is introducing new destinations including Napflion in the Peloponnese and Chania in Crete in a novel “Euphoric” cruise program, as well as the option to visit either Samos or Kusadasi on its “Iconic” itineraries, offering travelers even more opportunities to explore lesser known gems in the region.
Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises is the only home-porting cruise operator in Greece and the preeminent cruise line serving Greek destinations and the island of Cuba. The company operates five mid-sized ships, each one cosy enough to provide a highly personal service. Every cruise focuses on true cultural immersion, offering an authentic experience of the regions in which the vessels sail.
Sustainability
Celestyal Cruises is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical business practice. The company supports the local communities in the destinations it visits, particularly in the field of education. Since 2015, more than 1,000 students on the islands of Milos, Patmos and Ios have enjoyed a ‘journey to knowledge’ by attending the Museums Program, an initiative by Celestyal Cruises to bring interactive exhibits from the highly respected Herakleidon Museum to remote areas so that students can learn first-hand about the connection between science, art and mathematics. In addition to the above program, Celestyal Cruises supports cultural NGOs as well as promoting entrepreneurship, marine student development and child welfare.
ISO certification
Following the successful ISO 9001/14001 auditing of three of the company’s ships and the company’s office, Celestyal Cruises’ operations are now certified in accordance with ISO 9001/14001 standards. This relates to the entire spectrum of cruise ship management including technical, hotel and crew management; the certifying authority is DNV-GL, which is by far the biggest and most respected classification society in the marine industry.
Awards
In 2016, the company won the prestigious Editor’s Pick award from Cruise Critic UK, the world’s largest online cruise community, in the ‘Best Value for Money (Ocean)’ category. Celestyal Cruises has enjoyed recognition in such prestigious awards as the Greek Tourism Awards (winning gold and silver in four categories in 2016); the Efkranti Awards; the HR Community Conference & Awards; and was finalist in the UK’s WAVE Awards.
