The Celestyal Journey has returned to service in the Arabian Gulf after a planned refurbishment in Dubai.
The ship, with a capacity for 1,260 passengers, set sail on February 15 on the "Amazing Desert" itinerary, departing from and returning to Doha, making stops in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, with an overnight stay in Dubai Marina, as well as visits to Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island.
The refurbishment, with an investment of €6.5 million, included a new look featuring the distinctive waves and stars of the new brand identity, matching its sister ship, the Celestyal Discovery. Silicone paint was also applied to underwater areas, and the energy management system was upgraded to improve operational efficiency and the ship's performance.
The Celestyal Journey has two additional “Amazing Desert” trips scheduled from Doha on February 22 and March 1, 2025, and three trips from Dubai on February 17 and 24, 2025, plus a new trip on March 3, 2025, added due to high demand.
Following this season, the ship will move to Athens for the start of its season in Greece and the Mediterranean, where it will undergo further maintenance procedures before beginning its new "Sublime Greece, Italy and Croatia" itinerary on April 12, 2025. This tour includes stops in Kefalonia, Kotor, Bari, Corfu and Katakolo, with an overnight stay in Dubrovnik.
The Celestyal Journey will return to the Arabian Gulf on December 6, 2025, inaugurating the season with a special cruise in celebration of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Its sister ship, the Celestyal Discovery, will then join the fleet in the region on December 12, 2025, with Abu Dhabi as its home port.
Lee Haslett, Commercial Director of Celestyal, commented: “We are delighted that our beloved Celestyal Journey is back in service, looking and performing better than ever. Its new livery makes it easily recognizable as a Celestyal ship, while the technical improvements will ensure a smooth sailing experience for all our passengers.”
“We have experienced phenomenal demand on our Arabian Gulf itineraries, with our last three Doha-Doha crossings operating at full capacity. Overall, since the program's launch, we have exceeded our occupancy forecasts by 35%, demonstrating the strong interest in exploring this beautiful region aboard our mid-sized ships with their intimate atmosphere.”
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