TORONTO — Sailing full speed into the final stretch of 2025, Celestyal is riding a wave of momentum fuelled by strong sales, new itineraries and a reinvigorated focus on the travel trade.

During an online briefing yesterday, Oct, 15, the cruise line shared its latest updates and plans for the year ahead, highlighting product enhancements, expanded programs and a growing commitment to its advisor partners. Led by John Diorio, Managing Director and Vice President of Business Development for North America, the presentation painted a picture of a brand that’s expanding its horizons while staying true to its destination-immersive roots.

“We’ve had an incredible year at Celestyal,” said Diorio. “Our guest satisfaction scores continue to rise, our brand recognition is growing in North America, and our partners are embracing our itineraries in a way that tells us we’re on the right course.”

John Diorio during an online industry briefing

STRONG SUMMER SEASON

Celestyal wrapped a successful Mediterranean and Adriatic summer season, with sailings continuing through mid-November. Diorio noted that approximately 60% of Celestyal’s guests this summer were from North America, underscoring the brand’s growing footprint in the market.

The season saw the expansion of Celestyal’s popular “Heavenly” itineraries, adding 10 new sailings exploring Greece, Italy and Croatia. “Those itineraries resonated extremely well with our travellers and our trade partners,” Diorio said. “They showcase destinations that truly embody the Celestyal experience.”

Celestyal’s two ships – the Discovery and the Journey – offered a range of three-, four- and seven-night options that continue to attract new guests and repeat travellers alike. Diorio noted that 87% of guests indicated they would return for another sailing, reflecting both the line’s loyal following and its elevated onboard experience.

Also notable, the Celestyal Discovery underwent a refit in March, which increased suite capacity, added new premium accommodations and enhanced specialty dining venues. “We’ve elevated the onboard experience and you can see that reflected in guest satisfaction,” Diorio said.

SAIL & STAY PROGRAM

One of the summer’s key trade innovations was the launch of Celestyal’s Sail & Stay program. Developed from advisor feedback, the program enables travellers to book pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and transfers in Athens directly through Celestyal’s booking engine.

“We’ve made it simple and seamless,” said Diorio. “Travellers can land in Athens and know that everything from transfers to hotel arrangements is taken care of.”

The program features 18 hand-selected four-star and above properties in various parts of Athens, all commissionable for travel advisors. Celestyal plans to expand Sail & Stay to its Arabian Gulf program next year, reinforcing its focus on convenience and commissionable revenue opportunities for trade partners.

CELESTYAL’S ARABIAN GULF SEASON

With its winter program set to begin in late November, Celestyal is gearing up for a return to the Arabian Gulf, following a successful pilot earlier this year. Both the Celestyal Journey and the Celestyal Discovery will operate in the region through March, supported by multi-year port agreements in Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“We see the Arabian Gulf as one of the fastest-growing cruise markets in the world,” Diorio said. “Our first season there exceeded expectations, and we’re already pacing 35%-40% above projections for this winter.”

The winter season will launch with a special Grand Prix sailing from Abu Dhabi on Dec. 6, combining a Celestyal cruise with tickets to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “It’s something truly unique – combining the thrill of Formula 1 with the Celestyal experience,” Diorio said. “I can’t wait to be on board for that one.”

Itineraries include visits to destinations such as Sir Bani Yas Island, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, with minimal sea days to maximize immersive port experiences – a Celestyal hallmark.

TRADE PROMOTIONS & INCENTIVES

Celestyal is offering a suite of promotions designed to give travel advisors more selling opportunities and travellers more value. At the centre is the “Sail & Save” campaign, which builds on the previous CelestyalPay offer. Guests who load credit before departure receive an additional 25 per cent, worth up to €250 in extra onboard spend for specialty beverages and dining. All pre-purchased CelestyalPay specialty dining and beverage credit is fully commissionable for advisors.

For Greece and the Mediterranean, 45 sailings from September 2025 to March 2027 offer 50% or more in savings. Celestyal is also including a €50 shore excursion credit on its seven-night “Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia” cruises in 2026 and 2027.

And with the Arabian Gulf program , which features 60 departures of the seven-night “Desert Days” itinerary and 47 departures of the new seven-night “Iconic Arabia” itinerary, a combinable “kids go free” promotion applies to all 157 Arabian Gulf departures, creating additional appeal for families.

BUILDING A TRADE-FIRST BRAND

A major theme of the briefing was Celestyal’s renewed commitment to travel advisors. Diorio outlined a new trade narrative built around three key pillars that capture the essence of the brand and how it positions itself to the trade: Heartfelt Journeys, Icons and Rising Stars, and Backstage Travel Pass.

“Heartfelt Journeys” reflects Celestyal’s emphasis on small-ship intimacy and the warmth of its crew, creating what Diorio described as a “home-at-sea” experience.

“Icons and Rising Stars” focuses on Celestyal’s blend of marquee and lesser-known ports – from Santorini and Mykonos to Milos and Patmos – giving travellers both bucket-list destinations and hidden gems that larger ships can’t access.

Finally, “Backstage Travel Pass” represents Celestyal’s commitment to authentic, immersive excursions that connect guests with local communities. “It’s about taking travellers behind the scenes for real cultural engagement,” Diorio said.

He emphasized that Celestyal is investing heavily in tools to make it easier for travel partners to sell and promote the brand. Its Celestyal Compass trade portal provides advisors with access to itineraries, images, videos and sales materials, while a dedicated training platform helps advisors deepen their product knowledge.

“We’re building the most trade-friendly cruise brand in the market,” he said. “We’ve made investments in our ships, our team and our North American operations, all to ensure that our partners have the support they need.”

Celestyal Discovery