Athens-based Celestyal Cruises is sending a second ship to the Arabian Gulf next year, making it the latest in a fleet of cruise lines to cater to the growing popularity of cruising in the Middle East.
Come 2025 through to 2027, the 1,266-passenger Celestyal Discovery will join the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey which will make its debut in the region in November this year. The introduction of a second ship will represent a 30% capacity increase for the cruise line compared to the 2024 season.
Celestyal Journey will be based out of Abu Dhabi and conduct three-to-four-night itineraries to Oman, Dubai, Qatar and Sir Bani Yas Island. The announcement follows a recent MoU with Abu Dhabi and AD Ports Group to promote the UAE city as a key cruise destination. Meanwhile, Celeystal Journey will homeport in Doha offering seven-day itineraries taking in Omanβs Khasab, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrainβs Khalifa Bin Salman.
Having mastered cruising around the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean, Celestyalβs Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett is confident that the cruise line will also become the βgo-to specialists of the Arabian Gulfβ.
βWe offer award-winning service, two newly refurbished ships, immersive shore excursions, exceptional food and beverage, and unrivalled customer satisfaction, as well as the ambition to continuously evolve and deliver more,β Mr Haslett said. βWe really cannot wait to showcase everything Celestyal has to offer.β
Celestyalβs confidence will no doubt be needed over the next few years in the Middle East where the tide of competition is turning as more cruise lines set sail to the region. Among them is Malaysiaβs Resort World Cruises which will homeport is newest luxury ship, Resort Word One, in Dubai later this year. The halal-friendly ship will conduct two-to-three-night luxury voyages to Sir Bani Yas Island, Oman and Qatar.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises also has unveiled additional voyages to the Middle East for the 2026/27 season including 15-to-21-night itineraries that will call at Saudi Arabiaβs Jeddah, Egypt, Jordan and the UAEβs Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
However Celestyalβs biggest competitor will likely be the Middle Eastβs very own cruise line, AROYA Cruises which will make its debut in December this year. The Saudi Arabian companyβs inaugural voyages will feature stops at Cruise Saudiβs private island, Egypt and Jordan while serving guests a mix of global cuisines and traditional Middle Eastern dishes.Β