Celestyal Cruises offers a unique itinerary that, in one week, visits three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia. This feat is only possible by sailing the Eastern Mediterranean and stopping in Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, and Turkey, in addition to Greece.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 63 – December 2022
By Laura Seco
It was no coincidence that this itinerary was recognized with the Excellence Award for the best itinerary of 2019 and even today there is no shipping company that has copied it in its entirety.
A 7-night cruise to three continents with stops at dream destinations sounds exciting, and it truly is. You begin in Greece, visiting the Acropolis, and have the opportunity to also see the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt; the Western Wall or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Israel; and the ruins of Ephesus with the impressive facade of the Library of Celsus in Türkiye.
Expectations are high, and Celestyal far exceeds them. Each day and country connects you with culture, tradition, exoticism, and history, and it's almost impossible to describe its variety and splendor, as each day is so different and fascinating in its own right.
The Celestyal Crystal is a small ship with a capacity for 1,200 passengers, but it's a grand vessel that evokes classic cruise ships with wide corridors, polished mahogany decks, and distinct décor in each cabin category, nodding to the ship's colorful past, which began as a passenger ferry in 1980 and became a cruise ship in 1986. Since then, it has been renamed five times and owned by five different cruise lines, hosting some high-profile guests, including the Swedish royal couple, who stayed on board during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and President George H.W. Bush, who was on board in November 1995.
Expectations are high, and Celestyal far exceeds them. Each day and country connects you with culture, tradition, exoticism, and history, and it's almost impossible to describe its variety and splendor, as each day is so different and fascinating in its own right.
The exceptional quality of the food on board Celestyal Cruises is truly remarkable. The generous and flavorful dishes are sure to please every palate. Each day, you can choose from a menu in Spanish that offers not only Mediterranean cuisine but also Greek specialties such as moussaka, spanokopita, and pasticcio, among others. This allows you to create your own personalized meal, starting with a cream soup, a vegetable dish, or a Greek specialty like Greek salad, or even something more unusual such as frog legs or shrimp cocktail. This can be followed by duck à l'orange, beef in sauce, a delicious fish dish, or even a risotto. To finish, you can choose from a selection of Greek cheeses, a brownie, a sorbet, or baklava, a pistachio pastry made with filo dough and soaked in syrup. And all of this is paired with fine wines.
The service is exceptionally friendly, with smiles and helpfulness, and thoughtful touches that make all the difference, such as the cabin attendant greeting you by name, the restaurant staff knowing how you like your coffee at breakfast, or being welcomed at the dock with a song after a long day in Egypt. The staff is 100% dedicated to ensuring the best possible onboard experience.
The itinerary:
This trip is all about the destination. The Celestyal Crystal doesn't try to entice passengers with a modern design, Broadway-style entertainment, or water slides. Instead, it invests all its energy in the places it visits, spending more time in port than most cruise lines and offering top-quality shore excursions.
Egypt:
After departing from Athens, the ship spends a day at sea before arriving in Egypt, where you'll visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. For now, you'll visit the Old Museum while awaiting the opening of the new one in Giza. After lunch, you'll visit the Pyramids of Giza, where you can put your photographic creativity to the test before descending to the Sphinx area. The day on land is rounded off with some souvenir shopping before the bus plunges into the bustling chaos of Cairo to leave the city and return to the port of Port Said.
Israel and Palestine:
The Celestyal Crystal makes a stop in Ashdod. During the visit to this destination, you cross the border into the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, steeped in symbolism and the 3,400-year-old birthplace of Christianity. In the city center stands the Church of the Nativity, which houses the site where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was born in the stable in Bethlehem. Whenever possible, depending on time and capacity, you can descend into an underground cave framed by irregular natural rock walls to see the exact location of the birth and the manger. The site is marked by a small altar and a 14-pointed silver star that marks the precise spot where Jesus was born, adorned with an inscription that reads: Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est (Here of the Virgin Mary Jesus Christ was born). You don't need to be a believer to feel privileged.
Back in Israel, walking along what was once the Mount of Olives, you locate the various holy sites on a map: the Gardens of Gethsemane, the Basilica of All Nations, the Russian Church of St. Mary Magdalene, the Jewish cemetery, and the incredible Old City of Jerusalem, where you are confronted by the Western Wall, filled with devout Jews praying fervently, separated by gender, which immediately transports you to an indescribable atmosphere. Finally, you reach the Via Dolorosa, where you follow the Stations of the Cross, arriving at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Cyprus
In Cyprus you disembark in Limassol to visit one of the most important archaeological sites on the island, Kourion, founded in the 14th century BC, as well as Omodos and the Monastery of Saint Cross, not forgetting the local wineries and tasting of local gastronomy.
Rhodes
is the largest island in the Dodecanese archipelago of Greece. It is an island rich in nature and steeped in history, the perfect combination for discovering Greek culture amidst the ruins left by the Byzantines, Romans, and Greeks, and with incredible landscapes.
A visit to the Acropolis of Lindos is a must. This beautiful archaeological site offers a glimpse into Greek history and features a walled fortress where the Doric Temple of Athena, built in 300 BC, stands—an incredible place with spectacular views. Various historical documents and writings place important figures such as Hercules, Alexander the Great, and Helen of Troy here at different points in history.
The medieval city of Rhodes, protected by walls, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Street of the Knights of Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Hospital of the Knights of Rhodes, and the Mosque of Süleymaniye are some examples of its architecture.
Ephesus and Kusadasi
The ship docks in Kusadasi, Turkey, gateway to one of Europe's largest open-air archaeological museums, pristine beaches, lively day and night life and a shopper's paradise.
A visit to Ephesus is a must to admire this 3,000-year-old city, a cornerstone of Greek, Turkish, and Christian civilizations. It's also a pilgrimage site due to its proximity to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the presence of key Christian figures such as the House of the Virgin Mary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of Christianity's holiest sites. Furthermore, it is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, with meticulously preserved ruins including the Odeon, the magnificent Temple of Hadrian, the astonishing Library of Celsus, and its grand ancient theater. A visit to the place where the Apostle Paul lived is a truly unforgettable experience.
Eight days of travel, 3 continents with 6 ports of call and visits to ancient, emblematic and fascinating places, one of the best trips you can take on a cruise.
Kusadasi is not only the perfect place for shopping, but it also offers restaurants specializing in Turkish fish, meat, and fruit and vegetable dishes, as well as street food stalls where you can buy döner kebabs, sardine or calamari sandwiches, dolma (vine leaves stuffed with cooked rice and pieces of meat, seasoned with lemon), or delicious sweets like baklava, made with nuts, honey, and puff pastry, and ice cream, which is more renowned for the skill and fun-loving street vendors than for its quality. Furthermore, Kusadasi boasts a very pleasant seafront promenade and beautiful beaches, with Ladies Beach and Long Beach being the most popular, and the open-air markets are a must-see, such as the bazaar in the heart of the city.
Piraeus and Athens.
Piraeus, a port since antiquity, with its docks and piers full of luxury yachts and tourists, is from the sea the gateway to Athens, capital of Greece and birthplace of democracy and cradle of Western civilization, a captivating combination of antiquity and modernity.
A panoramic tour of Athens is a must, including the Panathenaic Stadium, an athletics stadium that hosted the first edition of the Modern Olympic Games, rebuilt from the remains of an ancient Greek stadium; Syntagma Square, where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Parliament are located, protected by Evzones, soldiers of the army dressed in original military uniforms; Panepistimiou Street, identified with the heart of the city's intellectual life, with three imposing neoclassical palaces built in the 19th century: the National Library on the left, the University of Athens in the center, and the Academy of Athens on the right; and finally, Plaka, the oldest neighborhood where the imposing Acropolis stands.
This incredible architectural complex, a World Heritage Site since 1987, is accessible on foot. Located 156 meters above sea level, it is visible from most parts of the city and exemplifies an imposing Greek culture. Visitors can admire the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, patron of Athens; the Erechtheion, located on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to Athena and Poseidon, with its beautiful Caryatids, female statues placed as supporting structures; and the Temple of Athena Nike, located next to the Propylaea, dedicated to the Greek goddesses Athena and Nike, and the first fully Ionic temple built on the Acropolis of Athens.
A visit to the Acropolis of Athens is not complete without visiting the Acropolis Museum, located just 300 meters away. This museum houses over 4,000 artifacts from various Acropolis monuments, including the Caryatids and parts of the Parthenon friezes.
Each stop on the 3 Continents itinerary offers incredible destinations to discover through the company's comprehensive excursions, designed to provide an authentic immersion in the culture, cuisine, and customs of each destination, allowing passengers to create unforgettable memories. The excursion guides speak fluent Spanish and provide interesting information about each location, answering all questions and curiosities, and making the explanations entertaining with jokes and anecdotes.
All onboard activities are listed in a daily program in Spanish, which includes a description of each activity and, where applicable, the dress code, schedules, and locations. In addition, each evening, circus artists and acrobats put on an incredible musical show in the Muses Lounge, followed by lively theme nights featuring ABBA, Cabaret, or Latin rhythms, among others. These continue with themed parties such as the traditional Greek party, for which blue and white attire is recommended, live music in various lounges, or dancing to DJ music in the disco.
Eight days of travel, 3 continents with 6 ports of call and visits to ancient, emblematic and fascinating places, one of the best trips you can take on a cruise.
