CELESTYAL Cruises has confirmed a two-ship deployment to the Arab Gulf for the 2025-26 season, with the published program now updated with a new Athens-Jeddah itinerary. Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett said guest preferences inform how the cruise line crafts its voyages, which brought about the changes. The latest update...
CELESTYAL Cruises has confirmed a two-ship deployment to the Arab Gulf for the 2025-26 season, with the published program now updated with a new Athens-Jeddah itinerary.
Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett said guest preferences inform how the cruise line crafts its voyages, which brought about the changes.
The latest update follows earlier alterations to Celestyal’s itineraries in the region, which included swapping Muscat for Ras Al-Khaimah (CW 05 Mar).
“Listening to that feedback, we’re enhancing our deployment with two new seven-night Athens-to-Jeddah sailings that highlight even more of Egypt’s diverse beauty,” Haslett said.
Both the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey (pictured) and 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery will be deployed to the region from Dec, following the cruise line’s maiden one-ship program earlier this year.
This represents a more than 200% year-on-year capacity increase for Celestyal in the region, with updated deployment plans to see the line operate a seven-night voyage from Athens to Jeddah aboard Journey.
This will depart 22 Nov 2025, and call at Marmaris in Turkey; as well as three ports in Egypt: Port Said, Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga; before concluding in Jeddah.
Meanwhile, Discovery will cruise from Athens on 28 Nov 2025 for her inaugural Arabian Gulf season, calling at Kusadasi, Sharm el Sheikh, and Safaga, before arriving in Jeddah.
Six-night segments will also be available on both ships departing from the respective Turkish ports.
Original sailings were set to depart Athens and call Sharm el Sheikh and Jeddah, with only a small amount of guests impacted.
“Our maiden Arabian Gulf season firmly established Celestyal as a standout in the region, with exceptional feedback from both guests and our trade partners,” Haslett added. MS
