Celestyal announced the introduction of a new pricing model in addition to new routes for the 2023-2024 season.
According to the press release, the changes follow feedback from guests and travel advisors and will allow for longer stays and deeper exploration of the regions in which Celestyal sails, as well as providing passengers with more choice and a new two-tier pricing model.
The entry-level all-inclusive rate offers free meals and some drinks with meals, entertainment, daily activities, port fees and gratuities. This rate also includes a pre-booked shore excursion discount of US$80 per person.
For upgrades, Celestyal will also offer an “Advanced” tier with an unlimited premium beverage package, a daily hour of free Wi-Fi, 25 percent off signature dishes, and a pre-booked shore excursion discount of $160 per person.
There are also some additional commission opportunities for travel advisors, Celestyal said, and discounts for guests who pre-book various beverage and shore excursion packages.
According to the company, “inclusive” experiences will start at $339, and “enhanced” experiences will start at $479.
New routes and more time on shore
In response to guests’ desire to spend more time in Santorini and Mykonos, Celestyal is making adjustments to its seven-day Idyllic Aegean itinerary.
The cruise will now include early morning arrivals in Santorini for a full day of exploration of the destination, as well as late departures to both Mykonos and Santorini.
The itinerary also includes Thessaloniki, Crete (Heraklion), Milos in Greece and Kusadasi (Ephesus) in Turkey.
In 2024, Celestyal will launch a new five-day itinerary called the Legendary Aegean Sea.
The cruise includes visits to Santorini and Rhodes, as well as the return of Samos in Greece and Istanbul in Turkey to the company’s portfolio. Prices start at $549.
The new itinerary is positioned as an exciting, multi-destination experience and includes destinations not visited by other cruise lines, the cruise line said.
In addition to Istanbul, the four-night Legendary Aegean cruise calls at Mykonos, Chios and Kos – the latter two being new destinations for the brand. This new route starts at $459.
Each of the new iconic Aegean routes could also be used as open flights between Istanbul and Athens for the first time, allowing guests to take advantage of what Celestyal calls an important and affordable air link to Turkey from North America.
Another new route is the five-day Legendary Ionian. Prices start at $549. The cruise visits Kotor in Montenegro, as well as Corfu and Crete (Chania-Souda).
For guests who want to stay longer, Celestyal also offers various combinations from 9 to 14 nights, such as the Legendary Aegean and Ionian Sea itinerary visiting Santorini, Rhodes, Samos, Chios, Kos, Corfu, Crete (Chania Souda) and Mykonos in Greece, Istanbul in Turkey and Kotor in Montenegro.
Rates start at $1,799 for 14 nights.
In 2023, Celestyal will celebrate the return of the seven-night Three Continents itinerary. Cruise fares start at $679 and include Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Cyprus.
The seven-day Paul’s Steps itinerary also returns in fall 2023, visiting Thessaloniki, Kavala and Patmos in Greece, and Istanbul, Dikili and Kusadasi in Turkey. Prices start at $1,289.
There are also plans for an exclusive holiday sailing in 2023. A 19-day itinerary, the special Christmas sailing includes visits to Thessaloniki, Volos, Rhodes and Crete (Greece), Izmir, Kusadasi, Antalya, Istanbul (Turkey), Limassol (Cyprus), Alexandria (Egypt) and an overnight stay in Haifa. (Israel) to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Holy Land.
Itineraries start at $2,259 and can also be split into eight- or 11-night cruises.
The seven-day Eclectic Aegean itinerary will also return in autumn 2024. A route visiting Istanbul, Kavala, Thessaloniki, Volos and Santorini costs from $679.
A 14-day special holiday flight will also be introduced in 2023. With calls to Egypt, Haifa (Israel), Limassol (Cyprus), Rhodes (Greece), Volos (Greece), Thessaloniki (Greece), Istanbul (Turkey), Kavala. (Greece) and Syros in Greece, the trip can be seven nights and costs from $1,799.
