Celestyal’s New ‘Experience’ Cruise Ship is Set to Debut in March 2022

Celestyal Cruises recently announced that its new flagship, the Celestyal Experience, will set sail beginning on March 5, 2022, with the seven-night “Three Continents” itinerary and continue with its “Eclectic Aegean” itinerary introducing Kavala as a cruise destination.

The flagship vessel was added to the fleet in 2020 but its 2021 scheduled deployment had to be postponed until next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As we begin to resume cruise operations this summer season, we are delighted to also announce our plans for the next two years, which includes the exciting introduction of the Celestyal Experience to our fleet,” said Celestyal Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer, Leslie Peden.

The Celestyal Experience has a capacity of up to 1,800-guests in 789 staterooms, 166 of which feature balconies, sea terraces and bridge-view verandas.

“Three Continents” itinerary 

The “Three Continents” seven-night itinerary will call on Greece (Athens and Rhodes), Turkey (Kusadasi), Israel (Ashdod), Egypt (Port Said) and Cyprus (Limassol).

In 2023, the Celestyal Experience will operate seven- and -14-night voyages year-round commencing January 7, with the “Three Continents” itinerary.

“Eclectic Aegean” itinerary 

Beginning on April 9, 2022, the Celestyal Experience will set sail on the “Eclectic Aegean” itinerary, a seven-night voyage which visits the historical city of Thessaloniki and also includes the introduction of a visit to Kavala, the northern, centuries-old Greek port city on the Thracian Sea.

In 2023, due to increased demand the “Eclectic Aegean” itinerary will commence on the Celestyal Experience on March 4 for six sailings and will return for a further ten sailings on October 28, this time on Celestyal Olympia, offering both Christmas and New Year’s departures for the first time.

“Idyllic Aegean” & “Steps of Paul”  itineraries

On April 30, 2022, the Celestyal Experience will begin the “Idyllic Aegean” itinerary starting in Athens and visiting Rhodes, Crete (Agios Nikolaos), Santorini, Milos, Mykonos and Kusadasi (Ephesus). On October 15, 2022, the Celestyal Experience will set sail on a one-time, special “Steps of Paul” itinerary tracing the footsteps of St. Paul, the Apostle, across the Mediterranean.

Celestyal Experience will end the year in 2022 with two, exclusive holiday sailings, the ten-night Christmas special on December 17th, 2022, starting from Piraeus, and calling on Thessaloniki, Izmir, Rhodes, Limassol, Alexandria and an overnight visit in Haifa, Israel, to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the “Holy Land,” and the eight-night New Year’s sailing beginning on December 27 to ring in 2023 with visits to Heraklion, Santorini, Kusadasi (Turkey), along with an overnight stay in Istanbul to take in the New Year’s Eve fireworks and Volos.

All 2022 and 2023 sailings will be available for booking from May 20.

“The Celestyal Experience embodies Celestyal Cruises’ commitment to an intimate, authentically Greek experience onboard a contemporary, well-appointed, mid-sized cruise ship. She will undoubtedly be instrumental in driving our continued growth,” Peden added.

All 2022 and 2023 cruises feature the award-winning Celestyal All-Inclusive Experience with unlimited classic drinks, all locally-inspired cuisine on-board, entertainment, two shore excursions, port and service charges and gratuities included in the fare.