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Celestyal has confirmed its flagship, Celestyal Journey, has arrived in Doha, Qatar, to start the line’s maiden Arabian Gulf season. The season begins with two specially themed F1 voyages, which will take in the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grand prix events.
The line marked the occasion hosting a day event in partnership with Visit Qatar, Qatar Tourism, Qatar Airways and Mwani Port Authority. Local dignitaries were joined by media and influencers onboard Celestyal Journey, while docked in port on November 30, for a series of presentations, a ship tour, the traditional plaque exchange ceremony and a celebratory lunch.

The line has previously announced that they will host a number of global agents on a five-day F1 themed ‘super fam’ to mark the launch. The fam comprises a three-night land stay, with various local excursions including to the Arabian Travel Market, and two days on Celestyal Journey while she is docked at Doha’s Grand Cruise Terminal with the option to attend the Qatar Grand Prix races and an intimate speaking session with Formula 1 driver and presenter David Coulthard, and Formula 1 presenter Laura Winter in the ship’s Amphitheatro. During the event all of the global agents in attendance of the ‘super fam’ trip were gifted a free ‘Desert Days’ cruise credit so that they could return to experience the full voyage.

Subsequent departures will then comprise of seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itineraries, sailing roundtrip from Doha, up to March 2025. Each cruise features calls to the iconic destinations of Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi, an overnight stay in Dubai Marina, as well as visiting the hidden gem destinations of Khasab, and Sir Bani Yas Island.
Celestyal Journey will sail from Doha for three consecutive years throughout the winter seasons, following a collaboration between Celestyal and Visit Qatar.
The ship features 630 suites and staterooms, seven restaurants, eight bars and lounges, two pools and Jacuzzis, and a whole deck dedicated to wellness including a spa, and fitness and wellness areas. It underwent a multi-million Euro refurbishment in September 2023, prior to entering the Celestyal fleet and has been receiving additional extensive refurbishment while on route to Doha, including updating the Junior Dream Suite bathrooms, and adding the popular coffee bar, Café Nation which was introduced on her fleet mate back in March 2024.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, said: “We’re incredibly excited to see our first ever Arabian Gulf season get under way. I would like to thank our partners at Visit Qatar, Mwani port authority and Qatar Airways for their continued support and warm welcome to the region. We are confident that our special FI themed cruises will ensure we have a roaring start to the season, while the Desert Days itinerary offers the very best of the local region. Whether guests are familiar with the destinations we visit or are sampling them for the first time, there will be a wealth of authentic experiences available to everyone.”
The Celestyal Discovery will join Celestyal Journey in the region at the end of 2025. She will sail three-night long weekend ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha Port, Khalifa Bin Salman port (Bahrain) and Dubai Marina port, and four-night midweek ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Fujairah, Muscat and Kasab.
Chris Theophilides, CEO at Celestyal, adds: “We’re delighted to be commencing our season in the Arabian Gulf, with this momentous arrival into Doha. I want to thank our teams and partners who have made this a reality. It marks the significant start of Celestyal’s next chapter, operating a fully refreshed fleet across year-round operations and two regions. We listened to our guests, 86% tell us they want to return after they have spent time with us, and with our new Desert Days itinerary, as well as our additional Iconic Arabia itineraries on Celestyal Discovery from next year, we are expanding the many reasons to try or come back to Celestyal.”
The Desert Days itinerary prices start from €359 per person, representing a 67% saving, and the Iconic Arabia cruises start from €239 per person representing a 57% saving, in the cruise lines Black Friday sale, available until December 03.