Greek-owned cruise line Celestyal marked its inaugural voyage to Dubai with the arrival of its newest vessel, Celestyal Journey.
The ship entered UAE waters accompanied by a flotilla of traditional dhows and hosted an onboard ceremony where commemorative shields were exchanged.
The visit celebrates the launch of the week-long Desert Days program, offering roundtrip itineraries from Dubai with calls in Bahrain, Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Abu Dhabi. This initiative is part of a strategic partnership between Celestyal and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). As part of the agreement, Celestyal Journey will homeport in Dubai for the next 3 years.
According to Saud Hareb Almheiri, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead at DET, Celestyal’s commitment underscores Dubai’s growing prominence as a regional cruise hub.
Looking ahead, next winter will see the addition of Celestyal Discovery to the region. Based in Abu Dhabi, this vessel will operate 2 itineraries: 3-night Arabia Weekend Cruises round-trip from Abu Dhabi with stops in Doha, Bahrain, and Dubai; and 4-night Arabia Midweek Cruises, calling at Fujairah, Muscat, and Khasab.