Celestyal has cut two upcoming 14-night Doha repositioning cruises and cancelled six other departures in 2024 and 2025 due to the recent escalation of political unrest in the original path of passage via the Red Sea in the Middle East.
The impacted itineraries are the ‘Ancient Athens to Dazzling Doha’ and ‘Dazzling Doha to Ancient Athens’ repositioning cruises scheduled to depart on 26 October 2024 and 8 March 2025, respectively, aboard Celestyal Journey.
To uphold its commitment to the year-round program and ensure the success of its first Arabian Gulf season, the company said Celestyal Journey will instead embark on a 34-night non-commercial repositioning cruise to and from Doha.
To accommodate the longer repositioning cruises, the first three scheduled ‘Desert Days’ itineraries, set to depart Doha on 9, 16 and 23 November will be cancelled.
On Celestyal Journey’s return to Europe, the first three 2025 ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ itineraries, set to depart on 22 and 29 March and 5 April 2025, have also been cancelled.
Celestyal Journey’s maiden Arabian Gulf voyage will now be a slightly amended seven-night ‘Desert Days and Qatar Grand Prix’ roundtrip cruise from Doha, departing 30 November 2024.
Celestyal Journey cancellations & changes
Impacted passengers and trade partners have been notified with cruisers offered alternative cruise options and/or reimbursement for the cancelled cruises.
Celestyal CCO Lee Haslett said Celestyal Journey will continue to homeport from Doha from 30 November for the next three winter seasons as the company remains committed to the region.
“In light of the current geopolitical climate in our original path of passage, we have decided to operate longer non-commercial repositioning sailings to and from Qatar,” he said.
“We apologise for the inconvenience that the cancellation of a small number of our itineraries may have caused.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to our global year-round operation in the Greek islands, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf and would like to thank our valued guests and trade partners for their understanding and support.”
Agents can find out more via trade.celestyal.com/au
