The Greek shipping company has announced its return, focusing on its flagship itinerary, the Idyllic Aegean.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 56 – March 2021
With the increasing and effective rollout of vaccines worldwide and the continued progress being made in containing the global pandemic, Celestyal Cruises announces the return to operations on May 29th, with a seven-night itinerary, “Idyllic Aegean”.
Idyllic Aegean:
The company's inaugural voyage will be the seven-night "Idyllic Aegean" itinerary aboard the Celestyal Crystal, departing from Piraeus on May 29. This itinerary offers the opportunity to discover the rich history and fascinating culture of Greece and Turkey, while also enjoying the sumptuous cuisine of the sun-drenched Greek islands, all aboard a mid-sized ship. The journey begins in Athens and departs for Kusadasi (Turkey), the gateway to ancient Ephesus, where an excursion to visit the ruins is included, culminating in a wonderful afternoon at the Grand Bazaar, a shopper's paradise. The next stop offers the chance to explore the fantastic beaches and fortified ruins, including the Acropolis of Lindos, on the island of Rhodes. The voyage continues to the romantic island of Santorini with its traditional whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches clustered under the radiant blue sky. Next, it will stop at the Port of Lavrion where you can visit the Temple of Poseidon on the top of the promontory of Cape Sounion.
It will begin operating 7-night cruises on May 29 with the Celestyal Crystal.
The itinerary continues to the sun-drenched island of Mykonos, easily recognizable by its iconic windmills atop its hills and its fine sandy beaches. The next stop is the Greek island of Milos, with its stunning rock formations rising from the crystal-clear waters and charming fishing villages. Following the beautiful Cretan coast, the itinerary continues to the enchanting resort town of Angios Nikolaos, a beautiful port city overlooking the tranquil Mirabello Bay and the magnificent Lake Boulismeni. The cruise concludes in Athens, one of the world's most captivating cities.
All cruises from this company are on an "all inclusive" basis which includes unlimited classic drinks, locally inspired cuisine and onboard entertainment, various shore excursions, port charges and gratuities.
Celestyal has always prioritized Spanish-speaking guests, and to that end, they employ a large number of staff members who speak the language, both at reception and in all other areas and departments. The daily program and restaurant menus are always available in Spanish.
The company has recently added a new ship to its fleet, the former Costa Neo Romantica, which it has renamed Celestyal Experience. We'll have to wait a little longer to see it after its refurbishment, as we anticipate that as more countries reopen and demand increases, the company will announce the deployment of the remaining ships throughout 2021. Until then, the Celestyal Crystal will operate from two ports of embarkation, Piraeus and Lavrion in Athens, offering shorter three- and four-night itineraries, in addition to the seven-night cruise. These shorter three- and four-night itineraries will depart on Wednesdays from Lavrion and Saturdays from Piraeus, respectively.
Visit not only the most sought-after Greek islands, but also Kusadasi, with a bubble tour to Ephesus.
The Celestyal Crystal is a mid-sized ship, giving it better access to smaller ports. It has a capacity of 1,200 passengers and 313 outside cabins, 53 of which are suites with balconies. It features three restaurants, three lounges, and two bars; a beauty salon, spa, and well-equipped gym; a swimming pool and jacuzzi, a pub, a casino, a duty-free shop, and a photography shop.
Health and Safety Measures
Celestyal has designed and implemented comprehensive health protocols and measures and, like all CLIA members, has committed to applying the mandatory policy that the association has implemented, as part of the gradual resumption of cruise operations.
These protocols, developed by leading scientists and medical experts and by both European and Greek health authorities, apply to the entire cruise experience, and will be continuously evaluated and updated based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, as well as the availability of new prevention, therapeutic and mitigation measures.
It is important to emphasize that the company will ensure that complete information is available to passengers and travel agents prior to their trip. All passengers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation, or a valid vaccination certificate. Mandatory COVID-19 travel insurance will be required for all passengers, either arranged by Celestyal Cruises or any certified insurance provider, which includes adequate coverage and collaboration with local and regional medical providers to offer assistance if needed. Health checks of passengers and crew will be conducted throughout the cruise, including temperature checks and potential diagnostic tests, in addition to the implementation of contact tracing technology. Masks are mandatory for all passengers and crew on board and during shore excursions whenever social distancing cannot be maintained between passengers not traveling together. Shore excursions will only be permitted in accordance with protocols stipulated by Celestyal Cruises, which passengers must comply with.
The protocol requires all passengers to present a negative PCR test or vaccination certificate and Covid-19 travel insurance.
Enhanced cleaning and disinfection systems both on board and in terminals and transport services; reorganization of common areas, reduced occupancy, staggered schedules, additional hand sanitizing stations; a new team of medical professionals and optimized medical centers on board; a ventilation system incorporating 100% fresh outside air, with no air recirculation, and HEPA filtration systems for ventilation in specific areas, such as medical centers or designated isolation rooms. Close collaboration with local health authorities, destinations, and other key partners, and monitoring of the evolution of COVID-19 and health guidelines.
All health and safety protocols can be found on the Celestyal Cruises website, but now more than ever, the travel agent is a key player in informing and ensuring that taking a cruise is not only safe, but is the best way to vacation with peace of mind and a guarantee.
