TORONTO — Celestyal, best known in the trade for its Greek Islands sailings, is expanding with brand new destinations in the Persian Gulf region.

The cruise line is also returning to year-round sailing.

Not only that, the company is also doubling down on its ties with travel advisors – and ramping up its focus on the North American market with new hires, new resources and a much bigger marketing budget for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

“Exciting times” is how Lee Haslett, Celestyal’s chief commercial officer, put it yesterday during a virtual press conference aimed at updating the industry on Celestyal’s history-making plans.

Exciting times indeed, as Canadian travel advisors have the chance to get reacquainted – or perhaps hear about for the first time – a cruise line that’s big on small to mid size ships, and “unmissable experiences.”

Celestyal’s new ‘Desert Days’ itinerary

TWO NEW-TO-CELESTYAL SHIPS

Key to the expansion plans are the line’s two new-to-Celestyal ships, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery.

“In the space of one year we’ve refreshed the fleet,” said CEO Chris Theophilides on yesterday’s call. “We’re excited to start 2024 with two new-to-us vessels.”

Celestyal previously sailed from March to December. Now the line is going year-round, with itineraries onboard Celestyal Journey visiting four new countries and six new ports of call in the Persian Gulf.

The brand new, seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary will set sail on Nov. 9, 2024 from Doha, Qatar, and call for the first time in Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey joined the line in September 2023.

The new itinerary will run through Jan. 18, 2025, and subsequently return as a permanent feature for the winter season.

A winter program, running November to April from Doha on Celestyal Journey, will deliver the ‘Desert Days’ itinerary with further three-, four-, five- and seven-night options.

Meanwhile the 1,266-passenger Celestyal Discovery – which joins the fleet this year – will deliver the ‘Three Continents’ cruise from November 2025 to March 2026, covering Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt.

Come summer, Celestyal’s core program, from April to October, will operate three itineraries on Celestyal Journey: ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ from Greece to Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy, with maiden calls at Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Bari and Katakolo; ‘Summer Heavenly Adriatic’ also featuring Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, and Greece with maiden calls at Venice; and the ‘Idyllic Aegean’ voyages visiting the Greek Isles and Turkey from 2025.

In addition, Celestyal Discovery will sail three and four-night ‘Iconic Aegean’ cruises from March to November.

Itineraries for 2024 and 2025 are on sale now. Clients can save up to 70% with Celestyal’s winter savings promotion. Prices for a seven-night ‘Three Continents’ cruise covering ports in Europe, Africa, and Asia, sailing from Athens, start from US$649 per person, while a seven-night ‘Desert Days’ cruise from Doha leads in from $609 per person.

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

“WE DO THE GREEK ISLANDS AND BEYOND LIKE NO OTHER”

Haslett summed it up: “We come into 2024 with a completely refreshed fleet, seven new countries and 12 new global ports, on top of our much-loved Greece and Mediterranean cruise program. We do the Greek islands and beyond like no other, but we have heard from our customers that they want more destinations, more robust itineraries, and a chance to discover more with Celestyal. We are pleased to be charting a new course to seas beyond the Aegean and the Med to take our guests to new and exciting destinations as Celestyal grows into a global brand.”

Haslett added: “The Persian Gulf cruises deliver this, with a homeport in Doha, stops at marquee destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi, as well as more bespoke gems in Oman and the island of Sir Bani Yas. We are starting the year strong and intend to keep growing and delighting our customers across 2024.”

One thing that won’t change for Celestyal: ship size. The line’s vessels allow the cruise line to go where others sometimes can’t. “We don’t want to go big,” said Theophilides. “We want to stay in the small to mid-size ship range.”

NEW HIRES FOR THE TRADE

Haslett joined Celestyal just about a year ago, and he’s one of many new team members ready to take the company forward. At yesterday’s virtual event, VP Brand & Customer Journey, Anna Gregori, now six months with Celestyal, spoke of Celestyal’s 100,000 annual passengers – from 140+ nationalities – and how the company is keen on taking the next big steps, especially in the growing U.S. market.

“For us, our mission is to create unmissable experiences, and we do that by getting further into destination. That’s something we’re really proud of,” said Gregori. “People love our genuine, authentic product.”

Celestyal is investing 2.5 million euros into its marketing and branding, with a clear goal: raising the company’s profile. “We need to get more awareness and we’re confident we can do that,” she said.

Also new to the Celestyal team, in October 2023 Brandon Townsley joined as VP and Managing Director – North America.

The North American market represents half of Celestyal’s business now, said Townsley.

The cruise line is fully onboard with travel advisors and is eager to help its trade partners find more clients for Celestyal. Said Townsley: “We’re looking to make sure travel agents have the resources they need to sell Celestyal.”

More recent hires are key to strengthening Celestyal’s connections with travel advisors. They include: Elena Rodriquez, Director of Business Development; Scott Moore, Director of Key Accounts and Partnerships; and Lauren Barreras, Trade Marketing Manager.

Celestyal has also made several trade-friendly promotions within the company.

Cyndi Berardi, who previously held the position of Trade Sales Support Executive has been promoted to the new role of Manager, Trade Support and Operations, leading a team tasked with facilitating all aspects of the agency/advisor registration process, developing new partnerships, and attending industry events.

Sandra Jakovac, who previously held the position of Trade Sales Support Executive, has been promoted to the new role of Manager, Group Sales and Administration, to support and facilitate the group booking process for travel advisors in North America as well as the business development team. Jakovac will also play a pivotal role in enhancing Celestyal’s Group Program.

Stephanie McDonald, who is Business Development Manager, Canada, has been promoted to also serve as Manager, Partner Training & Development where she will provide ongoing Celestyal product and systems training for Celestyal’s travel advisor partners.

McDonald will have a pivotal role in redesigning Celestyal’s travel advisor portal and online training platform. The estimated timeline for the upgraded trade resources is Q3 2024.

All the details about Celestyal’s itineraries can be found on celestyal.com and more information on the current special offers can be found here or by calling 1-877-584-2135.