Celestyal’s flagship, Celestyal Journey, has officially launched its maiden Arabian Gulf season with an inaugural event in Doha, Qatar.
To celebrate the launch, thirty-two international travel agents were hosted on a five-day, F1-themed “super fam,” starting with two specially themed F1 voyages taking in the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grand prix events.
The experience included a three-night land stay with various local excursions, and two days aboard Celestyal Journey docked at Doha’s Grand Cruise Terminal.
Attendees also had the opportunity to attend the Qatar Grand Prix races and join a session with Formula 1 driver and presenter, David Coulthard, and Formula 1 presenter Laura Winter on the ship.
Participating agents were also gifted a free ‘Desert Days’ cruise credit to enjoy when they next return to experience the full voyage.
After the F1, subsequent departures will comprise of seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itineraries, sailing roundtrip from Doha, until March 2025.
Each cruise features calls to the iconic destinations of Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and an overnight stay in Dubai Marina, as well as visiting the hidden gem destinations of Khasab, and Sir Bani Yas Island.
Celestyal Journey will sail from Doha for three consecutive years throughout the winter seasons, following a collaboration between Celestyal and Visit Qatar.
“We’re incredibly excited to see our first ever Arabian Gulf season get under way. I would like to thank our partners at Visit Qatar, Mwani port authority and Qatar Airways for their continued support and warm welcome to the region. We are confident that our special FI themed cruises will ensure we have a roaring start to the season, while the Desert Days itinerary offers the very best of the local region. Whether guests are familiar with the destinations we visit or are sampling them for the first time, there will be a wealth of authentic experiences available to everyone.” – Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal.
The ship features 630 suites and staterooms, seven restaurants, eight bars and lounges, two pools and jacuzzis, as well as an entire deck dedicated to wellness.
Prior to entering the Celestyal fleet, the ship underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment in September 2023, and has been receiving additional extensive refurbishment while enroute to Doha. This included updates to the Junior Dream Suite bathrooms, and adding the popular coffee bar, Café Nation, which was introduced on her fleet mate Celestyal Discovery earlier in March 2024.
Celestyal Journey will offer another Formula 1 cruise in 2025, sailing roundtrip from Doha, on 6 December 2025. The seven-day cruise will include the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as well as calls to Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island and Bahrain. Note, grandstand packages can be purchased at an additional cost.
Celestyal Discovery will join Celestyal Journey in the region at the end of 2025, where she will sail three-night long weekend ‘Iconic Arabia’ roundtrip cruises from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha Port, Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman port and Dubai Marina port; and four-night midweek ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Fujairah, Muscat and Kasab.
Also read: Top things to do and see on a 24-hour stopover in Qatar
