Celestyal Cruises, a Greece-based cruise company, has built a program that gives passengers a port-intensive vacation while they hop from island to island exploring the country’s culture, food, beaches and historic sites. If clients are looking for a beautiful ship loaded with onboard activities and award-winning restaurants, Celestyal is probably not the line for them. But for travelers looking for an affordable way to explore all the highlights of Greece, Celestyal offers a fantastic option.
“For our audience, the top priority is to experience everything the destination has to offer,” said Gordon Dirker, vice president of business development for Celestyal. “We don’t want to do casinos or racetracks on the ships, because that’s just not us. Instead, we want to show you, behind the curtain from a local’s viewpoint, what’s going on in Greece.”
I recently sailed on the line’s Idyllic Aegean itinerary onboard Celestyal Crystal, which was one of the first trips since the line restarted operations. The 1,200-passenger ship sailed with approximately 500 guests. There were about 200 Americans and 100 passengers from Spain, with Greece and France owning the next largest representation among the rest of the cruisers.
We want to show you, behind the curtain from a local’s viewpoint, what’s going on in Greece.
Our roundtrip voyage from Athens (Piraeus) made stops in Patmos, Rhodes, Santorini, Lavrion, Mykonos, Milos and Crete. Along the way, cruisers were able to enjoy tours of small traditional villages, such as Megalochori on Santorini, Chora on Patmos and Kritsa on Crete; religious sites including the Monastery of John and the Grotto of the Revelation on Patmos; archaeological points of interest, such as the Temple of Poseidon and Acropolis of Lindos; and the massive castle fortress and medieval town at the port on Rhodes. Guests also get to explore classic favorites, such as the towns of Oia and Fira on Santorini and Mykonos Town. Pre- and post-cruise stays in Athens are popular options, as well.
Celestyal offers these amazing destinations to travelers in a way that can help them venture a little deeper into each spot than they might have on the larger mass-market lines.
Onboard, though, it’s a much more laidback experience on a vessel that is more than four decades old. Fares include a beverage package; gratuities and port fees; and typically two shore excursions — as well as entertainment, meals and accommodations.
The ship features two main restaurants, Amalthia and Olympus, and two small buffet-style eateries. A room-service menu is also available (with a la carte pricing). Service was a bit hit or miss on our cruise.
The Celestyal Crystal in Santorini, Greece
Credit: 2021 Celestyal CruisesThe ship has a minimal pool deck and an aft outdoor bar with a hot tub. There is a lounge, a sports bar (it was the most popular gathering place) and a late-night disco called Horizons. The main theater, Muses, is the spot for musical performances and enrichment talks.
Celestyal does not have a passenger vaccine requirement, but strict protocols are in place — including physical distancing, mask rules and pre-cruise and pre-disembarkation testing. More than 95% of the crew had been vaccinated on our sailing.
“Overall, we are still having a good time,” said Captain Vassilis Gazikas, marine operations director for Celestyal, who also oversees the protocols. “It’s a very homey atmosphere on this ship, but it’s the right size for the Greek Isles.”
Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestyal, says the North American market has always been important for the company, and it continues to be a focus for growth. According to Theophilides, the goal is to emphasize safety without losing the benefits of cruising.
“The restart of travel for all companies, not just cruise lines, has been quite an experience,” he said. “We have had quite a bit of time to think about what we would do coming back. It’s about making sure that safety and the cruise experience are working together.”
The Details
Celestyal Cruises
