Madrid, July 3, 2019. NP – Celestyal Cruises and the exoticism of the Mediterranean are celebrating. The leading cruise company in the Greek islandspresented its new value proposition and commercial strategy for European and Spanish passengers at the Posidonia International Forum.
The acceptance of Celestyal's unique product by the Spanish public is steadily increasing, as demonstrated by the number of Spanish cruise passengers who sailed on its ships in 2018, a number expected to continue growing in 2019. For this reason, the shipping company's new management and commercial strategy focuses on offering its product to Spanish tourists, providing them with unparalleled onboard experiences accompanied by carefully designed itineraries in the Greek Islands and surrounding areas.
The Celestyal Cruises fleet features two classic ships that, thanks to their size, can access the ports of the smaller Greek and Turkish islands in a way that few other cruise lines can. Both the Celestyal Crystal, with a capacity for 1,200 passengers, and the Celestyal Olympia, for 1,450 passengers, offer classic style and a welcoming atmosphere where passengers enjoy a unique travel experience amidst ancient cultures and breathtaking landscapes. Furthermore, their Spanish-speaking crew has been recognized as one of the most hospitable in the world in various forums.
With "destination" at the heart of Celestyal Cruises' philosophy, each of its cruises focuses on genuine cultural immersion, offering authentic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences both on board and ashore. Its brand strategy features unique destinations on its Mediterranean itineraries, combining renowned and popular destinations with lesser-known gems. Classics like Mykonos, Santorini, Istanbul, Kusadasi, and Crete are now joined by Patras, Volos, Milos, Patnos, Ashdod in Israel (for exploring the Holy Land), and Alexandria in Egypt. Furthermore, overnight stays are included in destinations like Mykonos and Santorini, allowing passengers to enjoy the breathtaking sunsets of these two iconic locations.
The cruise line offers meticulously designed itineraries that include the best ports during their peak seasons, allowing ample time to savor the unique charms of each destination: grand temples and pyramids, soaring minarets and Arabian palaces, cobbled streets and winding kasbahs, whitewashed churches and grand cathedrals, medieval palaces, and fortified port cities. This intricate blend results in dream cruises, featuring exquisite Greek cuisine onboard and the best value in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Chris Theofilidis, CEO of Celestyal Cruises, commented that last year alone, more than 100,000 passengers from 140 different countries enjoyed a Celestyal Cruises cruise in the Aegean Sea, registering 663 port calls in Greece. The goal is to increase this contribution by adding new destinations to its itineraries, such as Patras, Volos, and Corfu. The Ionian Islands and the Adriatic Sea will be new offerings for passengers to enjoy.
In turn, Mr. Marios Polydorou, Director of Business Development and Travel Experience at Celestyal Cruises, presented the company's strategy for creating a unique experience, which includes activities both onboard at sea and at the destinations, while promoting Greek culture and heritage. Specifically, he mentioned that Celestyal Cruises offers history lectures, Greek folk dance lessons from dance clubs on the islands of Patmos and Crete, Greek language courses, and culinary activities such as local wine tastings, through which passengers have the opportunity to enjoy and experience firsthand the life and customs of local residents.
Celestyal Cruises' Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Leslie Peden, presented the company's strategy for extending the tourist season in Greece through a "365-Day Approach to Cruises," outlining the company's efforts to offer year-round cruises, laying the groundwork with the addition of two new itineraries. For the 2019 tourist season alone, the company extended its season by eight weeks with these two new itineraries: "Eclectic Aegean" and "3 Continents.".
