Celestyal Cruises expands to year-round operations, introducing new itineraries.
- The line launches seven-night Desert Days itinerary in the Persian Gulf from November.
- Destinations include Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Abu Dhabi.
- New itineraries in the eastern Mediterranean will be available throughout winter.
- Celestyal offers discounts on packages and low fares to attract customers.
Celestyal Cruises has announced an exciting expansion to year-round cruising, marking a significant development in its itinerary offerings. Starting from November 9, the Celestyal Journey will commence seven-night Desert Days voyages originating from Doha. This initiative enables the line to explore new and diverse destinations, further strengthening its portfolio. Itineraries will feature calls at Bahrain, Dubai, the Omani port of Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Abu Dhabi. This expansion showcases Celestyal’s commitment to adapting its services to meet the evolving demands of both travel agents and customers.
During this period, Celestyal Discovery will undertake the Three Continents itinerary, offering voyages through Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. Newly available itineraries for 2024 and 2025 are currently on sale, inviting potential customers to experience a variety of destinations during the winter season. The introduction of such routes highlights Celestyal’s dedication to providing unique experiences that cater to diverse interests.
Pricing strategies have been employed to attract travellers, with seven-night Desert Days cruises starting at £469. Celestyal is also promoting its offerings with a 50% discount on all Celestyal Plus+ Experience packages. Additionally, the line has introduced reduced single supplements at 30% and offers up to 70% off for the third or fourth guest in shared cabins.
Janet Parton, vice-president of business development for the UK, Europe, and Australia, expressed her enthusiasm for these new developments. She stated that the itineraries were created in response to feedback, emphasising the line’s commitment to its guests and trade partners. Parton was quoted, saying, “The introduction of new ships and destinations, including the Persian Gulf cruises, shows that we are listening to guest and travel agent feedback and expanding upon the core elements of our product.”
According to Lee Haslett, Celestyal’s global chief commercial officer, the expansion into the Persian Gulf was heavily influenced by the availability of flight connections from numerous UK regional airports. Haslett noted, “There is loads of regional UK airlift going to the region which presents a massive opportunity for agents.” His comments suggest that this geographical area is a promising winter-sun destination for UK travellers, providing ample opportunities for travel agents to introduce these itineraries to their clients.
Celestyal’s year-round cruising expansion and new itineraries reflect its strategic adaptation to market demand and enhances its global reach.
