Celestyal Cruises announces its return to Istanbul in 2019 and cruises with stops in Egypt and Israel

Piraeus, Greece: Celestyal Cruises today announced the expansion of its 2019 itineraries and new 2020 itineraries. In 2019, Celestyal Cruises will extend its season through December and return to Istanbul for the first time since 2016 with its new 7-day Eclectic Aegean itinerary, featuring six departures from October 21, 2019, to November 25, 2019. This eclectic cruise includes an overnight stay in Istanbul and stops in Volos, Greece, for excursions to the stunning Meteora mountains, and in Çanakkale, Turkey, for excursions to Troy and Gallipoli. The 7-day Eclectic Aegean will also visit Heraklion and Santorini, and during its stop in Mykonos, will depart at 2:00 a.m., allowing passengers to fully experience the vibrant nightlife of this cosmopolitan island.

Celestyal Cruises is also pleased to announce the launch of its 7-day “3 Continents” cruises in 2019, with five departures in December 2019. The first will depart from Piraeus on December 2, while the fifth and final cruise will sail from Piraeus on December 30. The 3 Continents cruise will call at Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt; Ashdod, Israel; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Limassol, Cyprus; and Rhodes. Excursions in each of these ports will give passengers an authentic and in-depth immersion into the incredible history and culture of these legendary destinations.

In 2020, Celestyal Cruises will continue its well-established 3- and 4-day Iconic Aegean itineraries and further strengthen its 7-day itineraries, offering a variety of options for both new and returning passengers. The 7-day Eclectic cruise will sail from April 6 to May 11, 2020, with a second series of cruises beginning on September 7 and ending in October 2020. Celestyal Cruises’ 7-day Idyllic cruise will sail from May 18 to August 31, while the 3 Continents cruise will sail from March 2 to March 30 and from November 2 to December 28.

The extension of Celestyal Cruises' 2019 and 2020 seasons is a first step towards their goal of year-round sailing in the Aegean. All 2019 and 2020 cruises feature Celestyal's award-winning All-Inclusive experience, with an all-inclusive beverage package, full board on board, entertainment, selected excursions, port charges, and gratuities included in the fare.

“Our 2019 and 2020 itineraries add seven new ports of call to our Eastern Mediterranean product and bring us closer to our goal of year-round sailing in our waters,” said Celestyal Cruises CEO Kerry Anastassiadis. “We are thrilled to return to Istanbul and give our guests the opportunity to visit Ephesus, Troy, and Gallipoli, as well as Volos, Greece, the gateway to the legendary mountain landscapes of Meteora. With the new 3 Continents cruise, our guests can now visit the Holy Land and the Pyramids, in addition to our spectacular Aegean destinations. Considering the Best Value, Shore Excursions, and Service awards we recently received from Cruise Critic, and the addition of these incredible ports of call to our itineraries, we continue to give new and returning guests even more reasons to sail with us.”