Sailing the Aegean has a special charm. The pace changes, the landscape constantly transforms between volcanic islands, small white harbors, and intensely blue waters, and each port of call seems to open the door to a different story. It is in this setting that the Celestyal Discovery, one of the ships with which Celestyal Cruises explores the most iconic routes of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean, sails this season.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 77 – June 2026
Following a complete refurbishment, the ship combines a relaxed atmosphere, Mediterranean inspiration, and a destination-focused approach. With a capacity for approximately 1,360 passengers and a crew of around 470, the onboard environment is fluid and comfortable, designed for enjoying both the voyages and the long days ashore.
From the moment you board in Lavrio, the Athenian port from which its itineraries depart, the ship exudes a distinctly Mediterranean aesthetic. The interiors feature light tones, natural wood, and bright spaces where sea views take center stage. The exterior decks constantly accompany the journey between islands, making sailing an essential part of the experience.
During the hours at sea, one of the ship's highlights is its outdoor area, especially at sunrise or sunset, when the seascape bathed in sunlight is a truly spectacular sight. The main pool, located in the Halara Cove area and surrounded by sun loungers and outdoor jacuzzis, is also the perfect place to relax as the ship sails among the Greek islands. In addition, several outdoor jacuzzis and open decks allow you to constantly enjoy the seascape.
The Sozo Spa adds a much more tranquil dimension to the trip, with treatment rooms, a sauna, and a carefully curated menu of massages and therapies focused on well-being. Nearby is the panoramic gym, equipped for cardiovascular and weight training, always with direct sea views.
The culinary offerings maintain a strong Mediterranean inspiration. Thalassa restaurant features cuisine based on Greek and international flavors, while The Taverna provides a more informal atmosphere with fresh produce and traditional regional recipes. Other highlights include Smoked Olive, focused on contemporary Mediterranean cuisine; Grill Seekers, specializing in grilled meats and fish; and The Greek Deli, perfect for enjoying small Greek bites between stops.
The onboard experience is enhanced by a variety of bars and lounges scattered throughout the ship. These range from the Star Bar & Lounge, where you can enjoy a cocktail from the "Alchemy" collection crafted by expert mixologists, to the Ocean Bar, facing the ship's wake and often a favorite spot at sunset. The Blue Bar & Lounge offers a more elegant atmosphere for sparkling wines, martinis, cocktails, and live music, among other options. In the evenings, the Amphitheatro Show Lounge features musical performances and live entertainment, and the party continues at the AFTer Disco Lounge.
The cabins maintain the same bright and functional design as the rest of the ship. They include interior and exterior categories with large panoramic windows that allow guests to continuously enjoy the scenery, as well as superior categories such as the Grand Horizon Suites and Grand Dream Suites, which offer more spacious accommodations, separate living areas, and access to exclusive spaces like Rays, the ship's elegant VIP sundeck.
During the summer and autumn of 2026, the Celestyal Discovery will primarily operate its "Iconic Greek Islands" itineraries, with four- and five-night cruises to some of the most iconic destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean. The four-night itinerary includes Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion, and Santorini, while the five-night route adds Rhodes to the itinerary.
Santorini is one of the highlights of the trip. Arriving on the island offers one of the most recognizable images of the Aegean, with its white houses perched on the volcanic cliffs of the caldera. Among the excursions offered by Celestyal are visits to the iconic villages of Oia and Fira. Oia is one of the most photographed places in the Mediterranean and one of the most recognizable images of the Aegean, a must-see destination with its whitewashed houses cascading down the volcanic cliff, dotted with blue domes, and narrow streets opening onto natural viewpoints overlooking the caldera. Fira, the capital, stretches along the edge of the volcanic cliff, offering continuous views of the caldera from its narrow streets, where shops, boutiques, and small businesses intertwine with cafes and restaurants perched on the rock face, their terraces open to the sea, inviting you to savor the cuisine with the Aegean landscape as your backdrop. In addition, tours are offered of traditional wineries built on volcanic soil, with tastings that allow visitors to appreciate fresh, intense wines deeply connected to the volcanic character, accompanied by delicious local products. The experience combines local activity, a vibrant atmosphere, and a prime location.
In Mykonos, the itinerary delves into an island with a vibrant atmosphere, deeply rooted in the identity of the Cyclades. Excursions explore the whitewashed alleyways of Chora, with its famous windmills and the Little Venice waterfront district, where small houses jut directly out onto the sea and the waves crash against their walls. A vibrant atmosphere pervades its narrow, labyrinthine streets, brimming with restaurants, traditional tavernas, and international eateries. As the afternoon progresses, the energy shifts to the bars and cocktail lounges scattered throughout the old town and the port area, where drinks are served in a lively setting that continues well into the night. The combination of culinary offerings, entertainment, and constant activity makes Chora the heart of Mykonos' nightlife and social scene. Also noteworthy are visits to Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece and considered the birthplace of Apollo according to Greek mythology. Declared a World Heritage Site, it preserves remains of temples, avenues, and ancient dwellings that allow us to understand the religious and commercial importance it had in Antiquity.
There are also experiences more focused on the local lifestyle, such as visits to beaches in the south of the island, with crystal-clear waters and small beach clubs, or scenic excursions through the interior of Mykonos, where you will find traditional villages like Ano Mera, with its central square and the Panagia Tourliani monastery, one of the most important religious centers on the island.
A stop in Heraklion, on the island of Crete, offers the opportunity to discover one of Europe's oldest civilizations. The Palace of Knossos, the epicenter of Minoan culture, is one of the excursions included in the tour, which can be combined with walks through Heraklion's historic center and tastings of typical Cretan products.
Kusadasi, on the Turkish coast, serves as a gateway to Ephesus, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Excursions allow visitors to explore ancient Roman streets, the Great Theatre, and the spectacular Library of Celsus, as well as discover part of the region's Hellenistic and Roman heritage. Kusadasi is also a vibrant port city that blends local daily life with the lively atmosphere of a seaside destination. Its palm-lined promenade, with cafes and restaurants overlooking the harbor, and its bustling city center comprised of shopping streets, bazaars, and markets where the aromas of spices mingle with the scents of textiles and local crafts.
The island of Patmos offers a much more tranquil and spiritual atmosphere. The Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse are the island's main attractions, surrounded by small white villages and serene landscapes that retain a deeply traditional essence.
The five-night itinerary also includes the island of Rhodes, steeped in centuries of history. Its medieval walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts fortresses, cobbled alleyways, and ancient medieval buildings. The excursions also include a visit to the acropolis of Lindos, located on the island's southeast coast. Cobbled streets climb the hill to reach one of the island's main archaeological sites and its acropolis, which offers sweeping views of the coastline and St. Paul's Bay.
The itinerary that the Celestyal Discovery is making this season, Iconic Greek Islands, travels through some of the main islands of the Aegean and the Turkish coast, linking through the Aegean destinations with very different profiles from each other that provide a very complete combination of heritage, landscape and local life that does not leave indifferent due to the intensity and diversity of all the places it visits.
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