The Celestyal Discovery has returned to service after a major winter refurbishment in Athens. The 1,360-passenger ship departed Athens on March 21 for its inaugural 2025 voyage through Greece and the Mediterranean on a three-night "Iconic Greek Islands" cruise. The voyage continued with a stop in Santorini on March 23, marking the first cruise ship visit following the lifting of temporary restrictions imposed by Greek authorities.
The refurbishment has added 47 new cabins: 32 suites have increased the ship's premium capacity by 52%, reflecting the growing demand for this type of accommodation, while 15 Cosmos interior cabins have also been added. This total increase in cabins has raised the ship's overall capacity by 7.4%.
The 32 suites include two new categories: 30 'Junior Dream Suites', measuring 25 m², with balconies up to 5.6 m², and two 'Grand Horizon Suites', located on the bridge, measuring 42 m², which include separate living areas and spacious balconies of 15.5 m² to enjoy the views.
Other enhancements include the addition of the 'Smoked Olive' restaurant, in line with its sister ship Celestyal Journey, available as an exclusive dining space at no extra charge for all suite guests. Additional à la carte dining options, such as roast leg of lamb and rum baba, are available for a small additional fee. Later in the season, a pop-up evening restaurant called 'Grill Seekers' will also be available, featuring a private, reservable dining area and offering upscale regional cuisine inspired by the ship's itinerary destinations.
Celestyal has made a significant investment in the ship since it joined the fleet in November 2023. Initially, the company updated all public spaces on board, renovated the cabins, and added a new café, Café Nation, as well as complimentary dining options such as 'Pizza Oven' and the 'Greek Deli' by the pool. The refurbishment work was led by the specialist design agency AMK.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer of Celestyal, commented: “This latest refurbishment reinforces our commitment to constantly evolving our passenger experience and delivering unparalleled value. Our impressive enhancements, including two new suite categories, provide passengers with even more comfort and choice, in line with the growing demand for more premium and spacious staterooms.”
“We are delighted to have unveiled the enhancements to Celestyal Discovery last week and to be the first cruise line to return to the island of Santorini, a favorite destination among our guests, kicking off the new season in the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean.”
The Celestyal Discovery will offer three and four night 'Iconic Greek Islands' cruises from Athens, from March to November, with stops in Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes and Santorini.
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