Celestyal has confirmed that its flagship, the Celestyal Journey, has arrived in Doha, Qatar, to kick off the company's first season in the Arabian Gulf. The season begins with two special Formula 1-themed cruises, featuring the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix races.
The company celebrated the occasion with an event held in collaboration with Visit Qatar, Qatar Tourism, Qatar Airways , and the Mwani Port Authority. The event, held on November 30 aboard the Celestyal Journey while it was docked in the port, was attended by local dignitaries, media representatives, and influencers. The program included presentations, a tour of the ship, the traditional plaque exchange ceremony, and a commemorative luncheon.
Previously, the company announced it would be hosting travel agents from around the world for a special five-day Formula 1-themed program called “Super Fam.” This program includes three nights ashore with local excursions, such as a visit to the Arabian Travel Market, and two days aboard the Celestyal Journey, docked at the Grand Cruise Terminal in Doha. Participants have the option of attending the Qatar Grand Prix and an intimate chat with F1 driver and presenter David Coulthard and F1 presenter Laura Winter in the ship’s amphitheater. During the event, all attending agents received a complimentary credit toward an “Amazing Desert” cruise, allowing them to return and enjoy the full trip.
Subsequent departures will consist of seven-night itineraries called Amazing Desert, sailing round trip from Doha until March 2025. Each cruise includes stops at iconic destinations such as Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, an overnight stay in Dubai Marina, as well as visits to lesser-known destinations such as Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island.
The Celestyal Journey will set sail from Doha for three consecutive winter seasons, thanks to the collaboration between Celestyal and Visit Qatar.
The ship boasts 630 suites and cabins, seven restaurants, eight bars and lounges, two swimming pools and jacuzzis, and a full deck dedicated to wellness, with a spa and fitness areas. Before joining the Celestyal fleet, it underwent a multi-million euro refurbishment in September 2023, and during its journey to Doha, it received further upgrades, including the modernization of the bathrooms in the Junior Dream suites and the addition of a popular café, Café Nation, introduced in March 2024 on another ship in the fleet.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer of Celestyal, said:“We are incredibly excited to see the start of our first season in the Arabian Gulf. I want to thank our partners at Visit Qatar, the Mwani Port Authority, and Qatar Airways for their continued support and warm welcome to the region. We are confident that our F1-themed cruises will ensure a spectacular start to the season, while the Amazing Desert itinerary offers the very best of the local region. Whether guests are familiar with the destinations we visit or discovering them for the first time, there will be a wealth of authentic experiences for everyone.”
The Celestyal Discovery will join the Celestyal Journey in the region in late 2025. It will offer three-night cruises called Iconic Arabia on weekends, departing from Abu Dhabi and calling at Doha Port, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (Bahrain), and Dubai Marina Port. There will also be four-night weekday cruises of the same name, departing from Abu Dhabi and visiting Fujairah, Muscat, and Khasab.
Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestyal, added: “We are thrilled to begin our season in the Arabian Gulf with this historic arrival in Doha. I want to thank our teams and partners who have made this possible. It marks the significant beginning of the next chapter for Celestyal, operating a completely renewed fleet with year-round itineraries in two regions. After listening to our guests, 86% tell us they want to return after spending time with us, and with our new Amazing Desert itinerary, as well as the additional Iconic Arabia itineraries on the Celestyal Discovery next year, we are expanding the reasons to try Celestyal for the first time or to sail with them again.”
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
