The Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean specialist’s Celesytal Holidays brand has been created in partnership with Aviate and will offer product “exclusively for the UK trade”, full Atol protection and “generous” commission rates.
A sample package includes a seven-night Idyllic Aegean cruise packaged with return Sky Express flights from Heathrow to Athens, a one-night pre-cruise stay at The Alex in Piraeus and private transfers on arrival and departure, leading in at £1,400pp based on 7 July 2023 departure.
Lee Haslett, Celestyal’s chief commercial officer, said he believed the launch of Celestyal Holidays “not only demonstrates our commitment to the UK market” but would offer agents “exactly what they have been asking for” with tailor-made, financially-protected packages.
“I’m confident that our investment in Celestyal Holidays will prove successful in helping us achieve our growth objectives in the UK while continuing to support our loyal trade partners,” he said.
To celebrate the launch, agents will earn a £20 The Real Greek restaurant voucher for every Celestyal package booked before the end of April. Agent who secure sales will also be placed into a prize draw to win tickets for Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2, or a fam trip place onboard Celestyal Journey,
To apply for any of these incentives, agents must send their qualifying booking reference along with their details to tradesupport@celestyal.com
The news of Celestyal Holidays came as the line revealed Journey, would launch on 2 September following a €20 million refurbishment.
The 1,260-guest vessel will take over Celestyal Crystal’s sailing programme and initially offer Idyllic Aegean cruises before offering the line’s Steps of Paul itinerary in October followed by seven-night Three Continents voyages, visiting Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey.
The ship will then offer two exclusive holiday sailings, including an 11-night Christmas voyage calling in Thessaloniki, Izmir, Crete, Antalya, Limassol, with two days in Alexandria and an overnight visit in Haifa, allowing guests to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Holy Land.
Journey will offer 630 staterooms - 149 of which features balconies - with 120 Junior Suites, 28 Grand Suites and one Penthouse Concept Suite.
The ship is set to feature seven venues, eight bars and lounges, two pools and Jacuzzis and a Beach Club area, exclusive to Grand Suite and Junior Suite guests, as well as a concierge service available to Grand Suite passengers.
Celestyal chief executive Chris Theophilides said Journey will offer guests “more in the way of premium accommodations” and “a greater choice of dining and bar venues, public areas and open decks creating a greater sense of space”.
“At the same time, the newest member of the Celestyal family continues our tradition of operating intimate, mid-sized vessels, allowing us to take our guests to destinations that larger ships cannot, reinforcing our in-depth regional destination knowledge and genuine, warm Greek hospitality, both of which have consistently been recognised as second to none,” said Theophilides.
