Celestyal may return to the Arabian Gulf in the future but it's unlikely to base both its ships in the region again, according to its marketing chief Janet Parton.
It is likely that Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery won't both return to the Arabian Gulf in the future
The Greek Islands specialist hit the headlines earlier this year when it was among a handful of cruise lines to have capacity based in the Middle East when the US war on Iran began.
In April, nearly two months after the war broke out, Celestyal managed to reposition its ships away from the Middle East to Europe when the Strait of Hormuz briefly reopened.
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Celestyal may return to the Arabian Gulf in the future but it's unlikely to base both its ships in the region again, according to its marketing chief Janet Parton.
It is likely that Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery won't both return to the Arabian Gulf in the future
The Greek Islands specialist hit the headlines earlier this year when it was among a handful of cruise lines to have capacity based in the Middle East when the US war on Iran began.
In April, nearly two months after the war broke out, Celestyal managed to reposition its ships away from the Middle East to Europe when the Strait of Hormuz briefly reopened.
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday (1 September), Parton, Celestyal's Vice President of Marketing, PR and Customer Experience, suggested the line could base a ship there again from 2028 onwards.
She said: "We've had a slightly challenging time of it but we're not ruling out returning to the Arabian Gulf. You can see what the next two winters entail.
"We may not go back with two ships. We may have one in the Mediterranean and one in the Arabian Gulf if it's safe for us to do so."
Parton announced seven new winter 2027/28 sailing options onboard Celestyal Journey, which can carry up to 1,260 guests.
The season will operate from December 2027. The ship had been scheduled to operate alongside Celestyal Discovery in the Middle East next winter.
"I think the winter destinations will appeal to the UK market," Parton explained. "Airlift for the winter is great for the UK. I think the itineraries mean the UK can get a larger share even though the North American market is our largest source market."
She confirmed that Celestyal would invest in the UK market again after it placed "a limited number" of UK-based roles under consultation.
"We'll be investing in the UK market and building the UK team back up again," added Parton. "We will be investing in agents with cooperative marketing.
She said there would be a fam trip with 40 agent spaces departing from Tarragona in December.
While the search for Lee Haslett's successor is "under way", said Parton, who confirmed his last day with the business is 25 September.
She said: "Recruitment is under way but we do not have an update for you at the moment."
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