Boutique cruise line Celestyal Cruises’ UK-based CCO Lee Haslett and VP Business Development Janet Parton were in Australia recently for Cruise360 – and to spread the word about the line’s new Mediterranean and Middle East itineraries. Karryon was on the tour bus.
Yes, you’ve got that right – Celestyal’s Lee Haslett and Janet Parton joined Sydney-based Regional Manager Stewart Williams and BDM Mary Williams (no relation!) and a sizable media contingent on a bus tour of Sydney’s suburbs. What has that got to do with cruising you might ask?
It was a tour of specialist food businesses that have strong links with the Mediterranean and Middle East, destinations that Celestyal knows inside and out and where it operates two mid-size ships.
Over the course of five or six hours, Nino, a knowledgeable guide from Gourmet Safaris, introduced us to proud Cypriot Harry Ipermachou at Miloway Wines in Earlwood, Lebanese ‘king of falafel’ Faysal El Abd at Al Aseel in Greenacre and the charismatic Sicilian Ranieri family at Ranieri Deli in Five Dock.
Taste of Celestyal
Generous sampling sessions of imported delicacies at the delis and lunch at Al Aseel were designed to celebrate the cruise line’s new year-round program offering the best of the Aegean, Adriatic and Arabian Gulf.
At another event for 20 trade partners and industry stalwarts at Crown Sydney’s Woodcut restaurant, Lee, Janet, Stewart and Mary outlined Celestyal’s growth plans for the Australian market.
“Australia is a key growth market for Celestyal – we have ambitious plans to double Australian bookings next year and our travel agent partners are critical to our growth plans, with the vast majority of our business coming via our trade channels,” Lee said.
“Through our dedicated trade team and investment in the market we’re confident we can work with our agent partners to achieve this target. We’re also investing in our training and engagement platforms offering new tools, assets and incentives to ensure our agent partners have everything they need to sell Celestyal cruises.”
“We think Celestyal is the perfect product for Aussies, and they will come back again and again once they experience our destination-rich itineraries, our relaxed and fun onboard atmosphere, our authentic ‘insider’ shore experiences, and our affordable and value-packed way to cruise the Aegean, Adriatic and Arabian Gulf,” said Haslett.
The ships
Celestyal operates two ships, the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey and 1,260-guest Celestyal Discovery. Local cruisers might recognise Celestyal Journey from her time with P&O Cruises when she sailed as Pacific Aria; Celestyal Discovery was previously operated by AIDA Cruises.
Both ships have undergone recent multi-million-dollar refurbs and offer several categories of accommodation, from balcony suites to interior staterooms; multiple bars and lounges; swimming pools; spa and fitness facilities; and seven restaurants on Journey and four on Discovery.
Speciality restaurants on both ships include the Mediterranean-style Grill Seekers and Smoked Olive restaurants, and Asian-inspired Pink Moon on Journey. Guests can choose from very reasonable fixed-menu prices or dine a la carte. Coffee and cocktail addicts can get their fix at the new Illy-partnered Café Nation and sample the latest mixologists’ creations at the Star Lounge on Discovery and Blue Bar & Lounge on Journey.
Bite-sized itineraries
Celestyal Cruises operates seven-, four- and three-night itineraries in the Mediterranean, focusing on ports in the Greek Islands, Montenegro (Kotor), Turkey (Kusadasi), Italy (Venice or Bari) and Croatia (Dubrovnik or Split).
Celestyal Journey will sail the same short itineraries in the Arabian Gulf from November 2024, including a seven-night cruise roundtrip from Doha departing November 30 that takes in the Qatar Grand Prix.
Programs for 2025, 2026 and early 2027 will see Celestyal Discovery joining her sister in the Arabian Gulf for the winter season, both ships cruising year-round for the first time. Ports of call include Doha, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE), Abu Dhabi and Khalifa Bin Salman (Bahrain).
“Destination-intensive three- and four-night itineraries are perfect to combine with a land stay and as a bolt-on to a beach or touring holiday, while our classic seven-night cruises are ideal as a holiday in themselves,” Lee said.
A short cruise from Doha or Abu Dhabi would also be a great jetlag buster for Aussies who fly to and from Europe with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airlines.
Simple fare structures
Celestyal Cruises likes to keep things simple, so it offers two fare packages: the standard ‘Celestyal Experience’ and the more inclusive ‘Celestyal Plus+ Experience’.
Both fare categories include select soft and alcoholic drinks with meals, port charges and gratuities and a $120 shore excursion discount. Celestyal Plus+ Experience adds a more comprehensive drinks package, a $240 shore excursion discount and limited WiFi access.
Trade specials
Celestyal has launched a Spring sale, with savings of up to 50 per cent across 2025, 2026 and early 2027 itineraries. The offer, which is available on new bookings made until October 31, 2024, also includes reductions of up to 60 per cent on third and fourth guests sharing a cabin.
Savings are available on more than 120 itineraries, with fares starting from $809 per person twin share for a four-night mid-week ‘Iconic Aegean’ cruise, sailing roundtrip from Athens, and from $669 for a four-night mid-week ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruise sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi.
Lee said, “We know cruises are best shared with loved ones, and with incredible savings on third and fourth guests too, we’re saying the more the merrier!”
For more information, visit trade.celestyal.com/au
