Latest news with #Celestyal
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
A first look at new Celestyal Discovery cabins after cruise ship refit
More passengers will be able to sail with Celestyal following a refit on one of the cruise brand's ships. The 1,360-capacity Celestyal Discovery has completed a refit, which includes 47 new cabins. Among the new cabins are 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 per cent. Another 15 interior Cosmos Cabins have also been added, pushing capacity up by 7.4 per cent overall. The new cabins were developed with design agency AMK, incorporating elements inspired by the regions the ship visits. The ship is currently sailing its Mediterranean season and will head to the Arabian Gulf in December for its maiden deployment in the region. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: 'This winter's refit programme on board 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 12 December 2025, joining sister ship Celestyal Journey, which returns to the region on 6 December, 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 until March 2026 and set to continue for the next three consecutive years. Celestyal is currently offering up to 60 per cent off across 87 sailings from June 2025 to March 2027 if you book by 31 August 2025. All promotional fares include meals, soft drinks, wifi, port fees and gratuities. Guests will also receive 25 per cent extra on all credit added to their CelestyalPay tab before departure, earning up to €250 (£213) on-board credit.
Mid East Info
12-06-2025
- Business
- 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.
Travel Weekly
09-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Greek cruise line Celestyal hires John Diorio
Greek cruise line Celestyal has appointed John Diorio vice president and managing director for North America. He most recently was at Virgin Voyages. John Diorio Diorio will launch an advisor engagement strategy at Celestyal as he works to develop the cruise line's strategic business plan for North America, the company said. Diorio departed Virgin Voyages in March after seven years and was most recently its vice president for North American sales. He had also worked in sales at vacation packager Mark Travel and in marketing at "I'm incredibly excited to join Celestyal at this pivotal time of growth and partnership expansion," Diorio said. "I look forward to collaborating with such a dynamic and talented team as we work together to achieve our shared goals and build on the company's remarkable success with the travel advisor community in North America." Brandon Townsley, Celestyal's previous vice president for North America, has left the company.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Our travel team's favourite affordable Europe holidays including hidden islands, quiet beach towns and cheap cities
Some of them have barely any crowds and cheap UK flights even in the summer STILL planning that European holiday but on a budget? Knowing where to go this summer without splashing the cash can be tricky. But there are still some amazing ways to see bucket-list destinations without spending too much. 10 Here are our seven top holiday destinations to go on an affordable break Credit: Alamy The Sun Travel team have used their expert knowledge from travelling the globe to find their affordable destinations to visit this summer. Greek island hopping by cruise Want to enjoy the delights of the glamourous Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos without breaking the bank? A seven-night cruise visiting SEVEN Greek islands onboard the Celestyal Journey this June will set you back just £84 a night and include all your food. I tried one of this Greek cruise line's shorter four-night cruises and still managed to tick off five islands including the Instagram favourites of Mykonos and Santorini alongside the gentler delights of pretty Paros and Rhodes. Celestyal's ships are smaller - and older - than many other lines but their size means they can get closer to the action and the Greek hospitality onboard is second to none. This cruise on the Celestyal Journey includes the chance to enjoy the delights of both Santorini and Mykonos after dark, with the ship arriving at 8am and not departing until 2am. Other stop offs include Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Milos and Athens. And with breakfast, lunch and dinner all included as well as your tips, wifi and entertainment, it's a great-value way to enjoy the A-lister islands without paying a fortune. And going in June - when the weather is guaranteed to be gorgeous - will mean fewer crowds than in peak season. - Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 10 Head of Travel Lisa Minot says a cruise is a great way to do the Greek islands on a budget Discover Europe's Secret Isles: Top 8 Underrated Destinations Northern French coastal towns France has heaps of coastline, but its fancy French Riviera usually hogs much of the limelight followed by the south west of the country that looks out over the Atlantic. Which is a shame, because many of the coastal towns in the north of the country are both very easy and cheap to get to, and a great way to spend a few days. Two of my favourites are Wimeraux in the in the Pas-de-Calais region, and Trouville-Sur-Mer in Normandy. They are both particularly great as they can be reached within 30 minutes of a French car ferry port, which can be taken from £97. 10 Don't skip some of the French coastal towns, says The Sun's Caroline McGuire Wimeraux is a quaint seaside town with a beautiful sandy beach and promenade, lined by elegant Belle Epoque villas. The town has a number of hotels from £99 and holiday apartments from around £80 a night, and the little bistro restaurants have retained the old French charm. Despite its proximity to Calais, it feels largely undiscovered by Brits - but it's perfect for a few days on the continent before you fill the car up with cheese and wine on the return journey. Meanwhile, Trouville-Sur-Mer has long been a popular holiday destination with both the French and the Brits. It's a large coastal town with a huge sandy beach and some very nice seafood restaurants, as well as a grand casino. Equally great for wasting a few hours are the many brocantes that populate the surrounding countryside in quaint barns. 10 Trouville sur Mer is a must visit in France Credit: Alamy Cesme, Turkey The Brits have been infatuated with Turkey as a summer holiday destination for decades now, and the prices for hotels and plane fares have risen accordingly. But the town of Cesme on the country's Aegean coast , about half an hour's drive from Izmir is still largely undiscovered by tourists. I paid for some £40 flights last summer and spent a week exploring the area's beaches and attractions. Cesme has seen a boom in fancy restaurants and bars in recent years, with several high end establishments now holding Michelin stars. 10 Cesme is a great alternative in Turkey near Izmir Credit: Alamy But my favourites were the relaxed seafood restaurants along the harbourfront, where a meal for two can still cost under £50. Much like the restaurants, several luxury boutique hotels have moved into the area in recent years, but you can still get a room for under £50 a night. It's worth hiring a car to explore the local vineyards and some of the quieter beaches along the peninsula. Lisbon, Portugal No matter how popular it gets, Portugal still seems to top the affordability charts when it comes to European holidays. And while Lisbon has certainly seen prices rise substantially over the last decade, cheap Ryanair flights, affordable hotels and budget eats mean the Portuguese capital can still be a very wallet-friendly destination. Flights are still available from £100 next month, despite us entering peak holiday season, and decent rooms can be found from around £70. 10 Lisbon has £2.50 wine and cheap flights even in summer, what's not to love says the Sun's Head of Travel Plus, when you get there, so much of Lisbon is cheap. For starters, it's a very walkable city (if you're ok with hills and steps), and the bars sell wine by the glass for as little as £2.50. Then there's the pastel de nata's - one of the country's most popular dishes can literally be bought for £1. Time Out Food Market is also an excellent place to visit if you're looking for fantastic food at affordable prices. - Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel Faro islands, Portugal The Algarve is another part of Portugal Brits love going for a cheap holiday. But most tourists flying in to Faro head straight out of the city and over to the beach resorts. Yet there are some amazing tiny islands that you almost have to yourself and are extremely cheap to get to. My favourite was Ilha Deserta, also known as Barreta. 10 I love the islands you can hop over to from Faro for a few euros Credit: Supplied The speedboat from the mainland only cost a few euros, and takes just 20 minutes. It's often called the Caribbean of Portugal, and I had to agree when I was the only one walking the quiet golden sands. The only thing on the island is the restaurant Estamine which is a must-visit, serving freshly caught seafood. Otherwise there is also Isla Armona, slightly more built up but still just a few euros to visit but with a few cheap ice cream shacks as well. A few euros to get your own 'private island' makes it a bucket list trip. 10 Ilha Deserta is definitely giving private island vibes Credit: Alamy Seville, Spain Seville is often seen as one of the cheaper Spanish cities, and there are some great ways to save money when there. For example, you can get free tickets for two of the top attractions, if you know where to look. For the Royal Palace, there are free tickets on Mondays between 6pm and 7pm on the website during the summer season. And for the Cathedral, every day there are free tickets between 2pm and 3pm. Make sure to visit Bar Alfalfa too - it's loved by locals and you can get a coffee and toast for just €2.10. - Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor 10 Seville has some cheap eats, making it one of the more affordable Spanish cities Tirana, Albania After a three hour flight, I was in Tirana - the capital of Albania - having spent only £45 on a return flight from London. Another couple of quid got me from the airport to the city - only a half-an-hour bus ride away. There is a reason why Tirana is an up-and-coming destination - everything is cheap. From attractions to food, I spent no more than £100 in Tirana. And for coffee lovers, it is a great spot as caffeine is a big thing in the city which set me back less than £2. If I wanted to grab a pastry or sandwich too, I could have for less than a fiver total. Much of the city can be seen from just walking around, which means you don't have to spend much money on doing things. The central square sits in the middle of the city and often hosts a market to explore. One thing that I regret not doing and would spend money on if I returned? Staying at Bunk'Art 2 - a former bunker that has been turned into a museum. - Cyann Fielding, Head of Travel 10 £2 coffee and cheap flights makes Tirana a great cheap destination Credit: Alamy
The Sun
21-05-2025
- The Sun
Our travel team's favourite affordable Europe holidays including hidden islands, quiet beach towns and cheap cities
STILL planning that European holiday but on a budget? Knowing where to go this summer without splashing the cash can be tricky. But there are still some amazing ways to see bucket-list destinations without spending too much. 10 The Sun Travel team have used their expert knowledge from travelling the globe to find their affordable destinations to visit this summer. Greek island hopping by cruise Want to enjoy the delights of the glamourous Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos without breaking the bank? A seven-night cruise visiting SEVEN Greek islands onboard the Celestyal Journey this June will set you back just £84 a night and include all your food. I tried one of this Greek cruise line's shorter four-night cruises and still managed to tick off five islands including the Instagram favourites of Mykonos and Santorini alongside the gentler delights of pretty Paros and Rhodes. Celestyal's ships are smaller - and older - than many other lines but their size means they can get closer to the action and the Greek hospitality onboard is second to none. This cruise on the Celestyal Journey includes the chance to enjoy the delights of both Santorini and Mykonos after dark, with the ship arriving at 8am and not departing until 2am. Other stop offs include Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Milos and Athens. And with breakfast, lunch and dinner all included as well as your tips, wifi and entertainment, it's a great-value way to enjoy the A-lister islands without paying a fortune. And going in June - when the weather is guaranteed to be gorgeous - will mean fewer crowds than in peak season. - Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 10 Discover Europe's Secret Isles: Top 8 Underrated Destinations Northern French coastal towns France has heaps of coastline, but its fancy French Riviera usually hogs much of the limelight followed by the south west of the country that looks out over the Atlantic. Which is a shame, because many of the coastal towns in the north of the country are both very easy and cheap to get to, and a great way to spend a few days. Two of my favourites are Wimeraux in the in the Pas-de-Calais region, and Trouville-Sur-Mer in Normandy. They are both particularly great as they can be reached within 30 minutes of a French car ferry port, which can be taken from £97. Wimeraux is a quaint seaside town with a beautiful sandy beach and promenade, lined by elegant Belle Epoque villas. The town has a number of hotels from £99 and holiday apartments from around £80 a night, and the little bistro restaurants have retained the old French charm. Despite its proximity to Calais, it feels largely undiscovered by Brits - but it's perfect for a few days on the continent before you fill the car up with cheese and wine on the return journey. Meanwhile, Trouville-Sur-Mer has long been a popular holiday destination with both the French and the Brits. It's a large coastal town with a huge sandy beach and some very nice seafood restaurants, as well as a grand casino. Equally great for wasting a few hours are the many brocantes that populate the surrounding countryside in quaint barns. 10 Cesme, Turkey The Brits have been infatuated with Turkey as a summer holiday destination for decades now, and the prices for hotels and plane fares have risen accordingly. But the town of Cesme on the country's Aegean coast , about half an hour's drive from Izmir is still largely undiscovered by tourists. I paid for some £40 flights last summer and spent a week exploring the area's beaches and attractions. Cesme has seen a boom in fancy restaurants and bars in recent years, with several high end establishments now holding Michelin stars. 10 But my favourites were the relaxed seafood restaurants along the harbourfront, where a meal for two can still cost under £50. Much like the restaurants, several luxury boutique hotels have moved into the area in recent years, but you can still get a room for under £50 a night. It's worth hiring a car to explore the local vineyards and some of the quieter beaches along the peninsula. Lisbon, Portugal No matter how popular it gets, Portugal still seems to top the affordability charts when it comes to European holidays. And while Lisbon has certainly seen prices rise substantially over the last decade, cheap Ryanair flights, affordable hotels and budget eats mean the Portuguese capital can still be a very wallet-friendly destination. Flights are still available from £100 next month, despite us entering peak holiday season, and decent rooms can be found from around £70. Plus, when you get there, so much of Lisbon is cheap. For starters, it's a very walkable city (if you're ok with hills and steps), and the bars sell wine by the glass for as little as £2.50. Then there's the pastel de nata's - one of the country's most popular dishes can literally be bought for £1. Time Out Food Market is also an excellent place to visit if you're looking for fantastic food at affordable prices. - Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel Faro islands, Portugal The Algarve is another part of Portugal Brits love going for a cheap holiday. But most tourists flying in to Faro head straight out of the city and over to the beach resorts. Yet there are some amazing tiny islands that you almost have to yourself and are extremely cheap to get to. My favourite was Ilha Deserta, also known as Barreta. The speedboat from the mainland only cost a few euros, and takes just 20 minutes. It's often called the Caribbean of Portugal, and I had to agree when I was the only one walking the quiet golden sands. The only thing on the island is the restaurant Estamine which is a must-visit, serving freshly caught seafood. Otherwise there is also Isla Armona, slightly more built up but still just a few euros to visit but with a few cheap ice cream shacks as well. A few euros to get your own 'private island' makes it a bucket list trip. Seville, Spain Seville is often seen as one of the cheaper Spanish cities, and there are some great ways to save money when there. For example, you can get free tickets for two of the top attractions, if you know where to look. For the Royal Palace, there are free tickets on Mondays between 6pm and 7pm on the website during the summer season. And for the Cathedral, every day there are free tickets between 2pm and 3pm. Make sure to visit Bar Alfalfa too - it's loved by locals and you can get a coffee and toast for just €2.10. - Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor Tirana, Albania After a three hour flight, I was in Tirana - the capital of Albania - having spent only £45 on a return flight from London. Another couple of quid got me from the airport to the city - only a half-an-hour bus ride away. There is a reason why Tirana is an up-and-coming destination - everything is cheap. From attractions to food, I spent no more than £100 in Tirana. And for coffee lovers, it is a great spot as caffeine is a big thing in the city which set me back less than £2. If I wanted to grab a pastry or sandwich too, I could have for less than a fiver total. Much of the city can be seen from just walking around, which means you don't have to spend much money on doing things. The central square sits in the middle of the city and often hosts a market to explore. One thing that I regret not doing and would spend money on if I returned? Staying at Bunk'Art 2 - a former bunker that has been turned into a museum. - Cyann Fielding, Head of Travel
