By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny
“Indulge in Greek Island Hospitality aboard Celestyal Cruises”
Passionate about hospitality, intricate local knowledge, and life-affirming adventures, Celestyal Cruises is your ticket to visiting the Greek Islands and East Mediterranean.
Welcome-on-board-the-Celestyal-Crystal
The Philosophy
If there’s one word you should know when boarding a Celestyal Cruises it’s philoxenia. Literally translated —”friend to the stranger”, the word’s meaning refers to the genuine hospitality extended to visitors by Greek people, and is a pervasive philosophy of any Celestyal Cruises experience.
The Company
Celestyal Cruises is a small cruise line with only three ships, all of which cruise out of Athens.
The company has earned numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2022 British Travel Award for Best Company for Short Sea/ Mini Cruises, and the Tourism Awards Gold medal in 2021.
Their human-size ships take guests to sites that are often inaccessible to most big cruise boats, while authentic onshore experiences scratch beneath the surface, getting guests closer to the warm heart of local communities.
Celestyal Journey is the newest ship in the fleet, and will debut a new look in September 2023 but plans are there for a spa and gym, updated décor, seven restaurants and an exclusive Chef’s Table, and 630 modernized staterooms and suites, many with balconies and ocean views.
Swimming-pool-of-the-Crystal
Celestyal Cruises are all-inclusive, which means you can indulge in superb Greek cuisine, unlimited classic drinks, select shore excursions, onboard entertainment, and a lot more.
Greek Islands hospitality and beauty are found on every excursion
The Itineraries
Celestyal Cruises want you to come back again and again, which is why each itinerary is crafted to inspire and educate in thoughtful and exciting ways. Its concentration in a small part of the world means Celestyal Cruises are the resident experts in the eastern Mediterranean, where awe-inspiring scenery, architecture, history, natural wonders and that famous Greek hospitality are the stars of the show and your trip.
From mini-cruises lasting just a few days to longer odysseys that showcase history and culture around every curve, there’s a Greek Island cruise to suit your sailing style and mood.
The Grand Masters Palace in Rhodes
The popular 7-night Idyllic Aegean sets sail from Athens with stops in many scenic Greek ports. It also overnights in the stunningly beautiful and buzzing islands of Santorini and Mykonos, letting you indulge in an authentic Greek nightlife.
Theme cruises include itineraries for solo travelers, families, and food and history buffs, and even couples looking to say “I Do” on the Aegean Sea.
See the pyramids in Egypt
The fantastic and appropriately named Three Continents cruise journeys to the fascinating Eastern Mediterranean visits to Europe, Asia and Africa during its 7-day sail. This unforgettable tours gives passengers the opportunity to visit some of the world’s most celebrated monuments, including the pyramids of Giza and ancient Ephesus.
Visit Santorini iconic village of Oia
A Greek Island cruise with Celestyal Cruises means more than just adventurous outings and romantic destinations. They also treat guests to a wide range of onboard culinary delights and a full program of activities and entertainment.
Can’t decide? Check out all the itineraries here.
Visit Ephesus on the Three Continents cruise
The windmills are a popular site on the island of Mykonos
Photos ©Frederic de Poligny
