Celestyal Discovery debuts in March 2024

Celestyal, an award-winning popular choice for cruise travelers to the Greek islands and beyond, has confirmed the acquisition of a second new vessel this year.

As noted in an announcement from the company, the Celestyal Discovery, follows the recent arrival of the Celestyal Journey, signaling a fleet refresh and further commitment to significant investment into the customer proposition.

The Celestyal Discovery will now join her fleet mate in Piraeus, where they will both undergo multimillion-euro winter refurbishment programmes ahead of the new season, which commences in March 2024.

The ship’s name symbolises the company ethos of creating unmissable moments of discovery through connecting people, places, and self. She embodies the Celestyal confident spirit, sense of exploration and wonder, the company said.

Built in 2003 for the Carnival Corporation, she has been sailing under the AIDA Cruise brand throughout her career to date. The Celestyal Discovery is a mid-sized vessel, allowing Celestyal to continue offering its signature unique blend of marquee destinations and more secluded gems that characterise the company’s itineraries. She offers 633 staterooms, 62 of which feature balconies, in total accommodating circa 1,266 guests.

Places on Celestyal’s newest ship will be on sale from December 11, 2023, taking over the Celestyal Olympia’s 2024 programme. However, special launch offers will also be included in the Black Friday promotions published later this week, as well as throughout Celestyal’s biggest Wave campaign to date, which will be launching at the end of the year. Guests currently holding reservations on the Celestyal Olympia will be contacted by Celestyal after this date and reaccommodated on sailings on the newly refurbished Celestyal Discovery.

“Given strong market and business conditions, we are thrilled to have expedited the renewal of our fleet to welcome the Celestyal Discovery into the Celestyal family,” said Chris Theophilides, CEO. “Celestyal Discovery joins the Celestyal Journey to undergo an extensive refurbishment programme over the winter period, signifying further our intent to keep delighting our customers. As a confident challenger brand, our team is excited to continue to make waves across the industry next season, with a refreshed fleet, brand, network, and a renewed sense of direction.”

The Celestyal Discovery will showcase many of the favourite features of the Celestyal fleet- an inviting Amphitheatre with ample conference and event space, vibrant lounges, the Grillseekers speciality restaurant, a Sozo wellness retreat, an expansive pool deck with an exclusive Rays deck, the Greek Deli, and a Fig and Honey gelato and juice bar. There will also be a few surprise additions to the customer offering which will be added during her imminent refurbishment programme in Greece. Further details regarding the onboard experience and itineraries will be announced in due course.