Celestyal Cruises has wrapped up its best-ever Mediterranean and Adriatic season, reporting strong growth in both passenger numbers and revenue. The cruise line reported that its Mediterranean program experienced a 4 percent increase in passenger numbers and a 10 percent rise in revenue compared to 2024.
Operating from April through November, Celestyal offered 10 “Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia” sailings and 22 “Idyllic Greece” voyages on the Celestyal Journey. Both itineraries featured seven ports over seven nights, giving travelers a chance to explore some of the region’s most popular destinations.
Meanwhile, the Celestyal Discovery completed 69 departures of the three- and four-night “Iconic Greek Islands” cruises, offering shorter but highly popular trips around Greece’s stunning islands.
A notable highlight of the season was the Celestyal Discovery becoming the first ship in Greek waters to operate using a locally produced marine biofuel blend. This move significantly reduced CO₂ emissions by around 21 percent, reinforcing Celestyal’s commitment to sustainability.
Following the conclusion of their Mediterranean season, both ships are preparing to reposition to the Arabian Gulf for the winter season.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, commented on the strong performance: “2025 has been another successful year for Celestyal. We have expanded our itineraries, upgraded our fleet, and taken pioneering steps in sustainability. The demand and yield for our Mediterranean program have been record-breaking.”
He added, “Looking ahead, we are excited as both the Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery head to the Arabian Gulf, which is quickly becoming a prime destination for winter sun.”
John Diorio, Vice President of Business Development for North America at Celestyal, said the company is eager to expand its reach. “We have accomplished a lot this year, but we are looking forward to 2026. Our goal is to connect with more travel advisors and guests in North America.”
Celestyal’s Arabian Gulf season kicks off on December 6, 2025, with the Celestyal Journey departing on a special Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise. After that, the ship will operate a seven-night “Desert Days” itinerary, sailing round-trip from Doha. Stops include Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dubai, with two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai.
The Celestyal Discovery will join the fleet on December 12, 2025, marking its inaugural season in the region. It will offer three, four, and seven-night “Iconic Arabia” cruises. Departing from Abu Dhabi, the ship will call at Doha, Khasab in Oman, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, and make maiden visits to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
With these new itineraries, Celestyal is set to bring its unique Mediterranean-style cruising experience to the Arabian Gulf, offering guests a mix of culture, luxury, and adventure during the winter season.
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