Celestyal Cruises Announces Return to Year-Round Cruising

13 October, 2021

Celestyal Cruises has announced that it will return to cruising on March 14, 2022 with three- and four-night itineraries to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean followed by seven-night sailings on April 30. Celestyal will also return to Kusadasi in Turkey when it sets sail in March and has added Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, to its seven night “Idyllic Aegean" itinerary. All 2022 and 2023 sailings are currently bookable.

On Celestyal’s seven-night “Idyllic Aegean" itinerary. starting in April, the cruise line will sail to Thessaloniki, which will offer guests an opportunity to explore Paleochristian and Byzantinemonuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; monuments to the famed Alexander the Great and the city’s Roman and Sephardic Jewish heritage.

Thessaloniki is also known as a “gastronomic paradise,” drawing upon ingredients from all over the Mediterranean and Asia, which are served in the city’s tavernas. Thessaloniki serves as the gateway to Northern Greece and nearby Balkan drive markets.

Celestyal will also return to the less-discovered island of Milos. In the coming year, the cruise will also extend its time in port in Milos from a half day to an entire day. Additionally, this itinerary will call upon Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Kusadasi(Turkey).

Celestyal’s “Eclectic"itinerary includes Kavala, the northern, centuries-old Greek port city on the Thracian Sea, often referred to as the “blue city” due to its clear coastal waters and scenic sea views from the Bay of Kavala, with a historic town unfolding high atop the triangular Panagia peninsula. This old town comprises a mosaic of winding lanes of red-tiled houses and a Byzantine fortress known as the Kastro. Just nine miles from the center of the old town is the ancient city of Philippi, home to the first Christian church in Europe.

Philippi became an important early Christian center following a visit to the city by Paul the Apostle in 49 C.E. This itinerary also calls upon Thessaloniki, Santorini, Volos and Istanbul. The “Eclectic" itinerary also offers the option to embark and disembark in Istanbul with additional air connection options.

The end of 2022 will see the return of Celestyal’s “Three Continents” seven-night itinerary, last operated in late 2019, calling on Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Cyprus. This will be followed by two, exclusive holiday sailings, the 10-night Christmas special sailing calling on Thessaloniki, Izmir (Turkey), Rhodes, Limassol (Cyprus), Alexandria (Egypt) and an overnight visit in Haifa (Israel) to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the “Holy Land,” and the eight-night New Year’s sailing with visits to Heraklion, Santorini, Volos, Kusadasi (Turkey) along with an overnight stay in Istanbul, to take in the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Tip: Both sailings can be combined for an 18-night holiday event covering the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean.