Celestyal, a small cruise line known for sailing in the Greek islands and eastern Mediterranean, is launching new itineraries for the 2025-26 winter season in the Persian Gulf with first-time visits to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The line, which experienced a record-breaking 2024 with its highest-ever bookings, said it is also planning a return to Egypt for the first time in two years.
The itineraries are 14-night repositioning cruises that will include the line's first port calls in Aqaba, Jordan; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Muscat, Oman; and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Celestyal's two ships will sail from Athens to Abu Dhabi in the fall. The Celestyal Journey will depart on Nov. 22, and reach Abu Dhabi on Dec. 6, in time for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. The ship will then sail seven-day Desert Days itineraries in the Persian Gulf that include calls at Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates and Mina Salman-Manama, Bahrain.
The Celestyal Discovery will sail from Athens to Abu Dhabi on Nov. 28, making the same calls as the Journey but with an additional a call at Kusadasi, Turkey. The ship will then sail its inaugural winter season in the region with three-, four- and seven-night Iconic Arabia itineraries. The ship will homeport over the winter season in the Persian Gulf for the next three years.
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Plans call for both ships to return to Greece in the spring of 2026 via a set of 14-night cruises. The Discovery will sail from Abu Dhabi on March 6, and the Journey will follow on March 21.
All four of the repositioning sailings will offer smaller bookable segments ranging from four to 13 nights.
Celestyal sailed an extended maiden season in the Persian Gulf this past winter with the Journey and noted bookings were 27% above target for this first season.