Celestyal has confirmed its commitment to the Arabian Gulf with both the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey and 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery deployed to the region from December this year. This follows Celestyal’s maiden 2024-25 one-ship program and represents a 211% year-on-year capacity increase.
As part of updated deployment plans, Celestyal has amended its 2025 repositioning sailings which will now operate as seven-night cruises from Athens to Jeddah, with Celestyal Journey departing November 22, 2025, and calling at Marmaris (Turkey) as well as three ports in Egypt (Port Said, Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga), before concluding in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
Celestyal Discovery will cruise from Athens on November 28, 2025, for her inaugural Arabian Gulf season, calling at Kusadasi (Turkey) and Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga in Egypt, before concluding in Jeddah.
Six-night segments will also be available on both ships from the Turkish ports.
Most of the guests who are booked on the original segments departing Athens and sailing to Sharm El Sheik and Jeddah will be unimpacted. For some there will be port changes or shorter sailings offered. All travel partners have been notified of the changes, assured protected commission and provided with updated information and guest rebooking options.
Following the seven-night cruises, both ships will continue their passage from Jeddah to Abu Dhabi without guests, enabling them to arrive in the Arabian Gulf in time to commence the season as planned.
Celestyal Journey will open the Arabian Gulf season on December 6, 2025, with a special Abu Dhabi Grand Prix cruise. The ship will then offer seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itineraries for the rest of the season, operating roundtrip from Doha and calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, as well as two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai.
Celestyal Discovery will join her fleet mate for her inaugural season in the region, starting on December 12, 2025. With the arrival of Celestyal’s second ship, the cruise line will offer new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi and calling at Doha, Khasab in Oman, and Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, with Ras Al Khaimah new to the 2025-26 program.
Lee Haslett, Celestyal chief commercial officer, said: “Our maiden Arabian Gulf season firmly established Celestyal as a standout in the region, with exceptional feedback from both guests and our trade partners. Listening to that feedback, we’re enhancing our deployment with two new seven-night Athens-to-Jeddah sailings that highlight even more of Egypt’s diverse beauty, calling at Port Said, Sharm el Sheikh, Safaga, plus Marmaris or Kusadasi in Turkey, before concluding in Jeddah”.
“These refinements give us great confidence as we return stronger to the Arabian Gulf for 2025-26 with two ships and significantly increased capacity to meet soaring demand for the region during the northern winter. Our multi-year partnerships with Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah remain central to this growth, and together we’re committed to showcasing the very best of the region to both new and returning cruisers. With demand already running high, we’re incredibly optimistic about the opportunities ahead and confident this will be one of our strongest seasons yet.”
