Celestyal has opened bookings for a winter 2027/28 season aboard the Celestyal Journey, adding 28 sailings across seven itineraries that link the Eastern Mediterranean with North Africa and the Aegean. The new programme, which follows the line's recent expansion into the Western Mediterranean, is designed to give travel agents and tour operators more flexibility in building longer cruise holidays.
Seven itineraries, two base ports
The winter schedule, running from December 2027, centres on two seven-night Mediterranean Mosaics voyages that operate between Athens (Piraeus) and Istanbul. Four of these departures are planned: two from Athens on 4 and 18 December, and two from Istanbul on 11 and 25 December. Each sailing calls at a mix of ports, including Alexandria in Egypt, Limassol in Cyprus, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Volos, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Heraklion in Crete, and the Turkish metropolis.
For clients seeking a longer voyage, Celestyal is combining consecutive seven-night cruises into three 14-night Three Continents Explorer itineraries, roundtrip from either Athens or Istanbul. These depart on 4, 11, and 18 December 2027, and effectively cover both Mediterranean Mosaics loops in a single booking. The line says the combined routing allows passengers to visit three continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa—without repeating a port of call.
Prices for the winter 2027/28 season start at £629 per person, based on double occupancy. Celestyal is promoting the programme as an option for travellers looking to escape the northern winter, with December sailings that call at warmer destinations such as Alexandria and Limassol.
Strategic expansion across the Mediterranean
The announcement follows Celestyal's recent launch of its first dedicated Western Mediterranean programme aboard the Celestyal Discovery, which will operate during the winter 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons. That move marked a strategic shift for the Athens-based cruise line, which historically focused on the Greek islands and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Janet Parton, vice president of marketing, PR, and customer experience at Celestyal, said the new winter season builds on that momentum. “Our recently unveiled Western Mediterranean programme on Celestyal Discovery marked an exciting new chapter for the brand, and this new winter season on Celestyal Journey continues that momentum by offering even more choice across the wider Mediterranean,” she said.
Celestyal operates a fleet of mid-sized ships that can access smaller ports, a selling point for agents whose clients prefer less crowded itineraries. The line has been expanding its deployment to year-round operations, with the Journey and Discovery covering both summer and winter seasons.
The winter 2027/28 programme is now on sale, and Celestyal is offering group rates and early-booking incentives for travel advisors. The line has also been strengthening its trade partnerships, with a focus on the UK and European markets, where demand for winter sun cruises remains robust.
For agents looking to diversify their cruise offerings, the new Celestyal season complements other recent winter deployments in the region, such as Star Clippers' 2027 Turkish Riviera sailings on the Star Flyer. Meanwhile, the broader cruise industry continues to see growth in year-round Mediterranean operations, with lines like Royal Caribbean also expanding their Asia-Pacific presence.
Celestyal's move to offer more winter departures from Athens and Istanbul also aligns with the region's growing appeal as a winter destination, supported by investments in port infrastructure and tourism marketing. The line's ability to combine itineraries into longer voyages is a key differentiator for agents selling to clients who prefer immersive travel experiences.
With the new programme, Celestyal is positioning itself as a year-round player in the Mediterranean cruise market, offering a mix of short and long cruises that can be tailored to different traveller preferences. The line's focus on cultural immersion and smaller ports continues to resonate with a demographic that values authenticity over scale.
