Celestyal Cruises is set to expand into the Persian Gulf, emphasising year-round schedules.
- From November 2023, Celestyal will offer new sailings from Doha, including a seven-night Desert Days itinerary.
- The move aims to strengthen its presence in the UK market, driven by strong airlift and winter sun appeal.
- Celestyal introduces the Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery for expansive cruise choices.
- Significant investments and team expansions in the UK reflect Celestyal’s commitment to growth.
Celestyal Cruises, known for its immersive travel experiences, is making a significant leap into the Persian Gulf market, with plans to offer year-round cruise itineraries starting March 2024. As a strategic expansion, this move is expected to bolster Celestyal’s presence, particularly in the UK, where the desire for winter sun destinations remains robust.“We are incredibly committed to growing our presence in the UK,” stated Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett.
From 9 November 2023, Celestyal will launch its new sailings from Doha, featuring the seven-night Desert Days itinerary on the Celestyal Journey. This new route includes stops in Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab, and Sir Bani Yas, with initial prices from £469 per person. The itinerary will remain available until 18 January 2025, after which it will become a permanent fixture each winter season.
The decision to operate year-round cruises is part of Celestyal’s broader strategy to enhance its service offerings. Prior to this, the cruise line operated primarily between March and December. The introduction of the winter programme, running from November to April, sees Celestyal Journey sailing out of Doha and the introduction of the Celestyal Discovery, a 1,266-passenger ship, executing the Three Continents cruise.
This robust expansion plan is not merely a schedule update but a calculated effort to capture more of the UK cruise market. Celestyal has expressed ambitions to increase its UK business share from less than 10% to between 15-20%. Such growth is predicated on leveraging strong logistics and the natural appeal of the Persian Gulf as a travel destination. Travel agents are poised to play an essential role in this endeavour, as echoed by company executives.
Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Customer Journey, Anna Gregori, emphasised the importance of travel partners in widening distribution within the UK. The aim is to onboard at least 100 agents onto Celestyal’s products in 2024, covering both core itineraries and expanded cruise offerings. Meanwhile, Janet Parton, Vice President of Business Development for UK, Europe, and Australia, noted that Celestyal intends to double its trade sales team, having already initiated recruitment. This is part of a wider investment, totalling €2.5 million, to evolve the brand’s marketing and communication strategies.
Celestyal Cruises is poised for significant market growth and presence enhancement in the Persian Gulf region.
