Celestyal Journey returns to service following refit
Athens, Greece [February 18, 2025] – Celestyal Journey has returned to service in the Arabian Gulf following a planned refit in Dubai. The 1260-guest ship set sail on February 15 on a Desert Days itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Doha and calling at Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, with an overnight stay in Dubai Marina, as well as Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island.
The €6.5 million refit saw the ship given a new livery, featuring the signature hull wave and stars of the new brand identity, to match its fleet mate Celestyal Discovery. The ship’s underwater areas were also treated and painted with silicon paint while the power management system was updated to improve operational efficiency and performance.
Celestyal Journey has a further two Desert Days sailings departing from Doha, on February 22 and March 1, 2025, and three Desert Days sailings from Dubai, on February 17 and 24, 2025, plus the recently announced sailing on March 3, 2025, added due to demand.
Following this, it will reposition to Athens for the start of its Greece and Mediterranean season. and will undergo further maintenance procedures before her start to the season on April 12, sailing roundtrip from Athens on the new Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia itinerary, calling at Kefalonia, Kotor, Bari, Corfu, and Katakolo with an overnight in Dubrovnik.
Celestyal Journey will return to the Arabian Gulf on December 6, 2025, and start the season with an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise, before Celestyal Discovery joins its fleet mate and commences her inaugural season in the region on December 12, 2025. homeporting from Abu Dhabi.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, said: “We’re thrilled our beloved ship Celestyal Journey has returned to service, looking and performing better than ever. The new livery makes it instantly recognisable as a Celestyal ship, while the technical upgrades will ensure it provides a smooth sailing experience for all who sail on her.
We’ve seen phenomenal demand for our Arabian Gulf itineraries, with our last three Doha-Doha sailings operating at full capacity. Overall, since launching the programme we’re 35% above target for sailed guests, which demonstrates a real desire to explore this beautiful part of the world on our intimate, mid-sized ships.”
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, Celestyal Discovery accommodating 1360 passengers and Celestyal Journey accommodating 1260 passengers, Celestyal prioritizes highly personalized services, establishing a high-end environment that welcomes over 100,000 passengers annually from more than 130 different nationalities.
