Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal grew out of Louis Cruises, a Cyprus-based company that ran affordable Mediterranean cruises for decades. It rebranded as Celestyal Cruises in 2014 and refocused on the Greek islands and the eastern Mediterranean, presenting itself as a Greek line that shows off Greek hospitality, food and culture rather than a floating resort that happens to visit Greece.

The fleet is two mid-size ships: Celestyal Journey, which joined in 2023 and carries around 1,260 guests, and Celestyal Discovery, which carries around 1,300 after an expansion. Both are older ships refitted with modern Greek-inspired interiors. Their size lets them visit smaller islands and dock in places where larger ships must tender or skip entirely.

Signature itineraries run three, four and seven nights from Piraeus (Athens), calling at islands such as Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Milos and at Kuşadası for Ephesus in Turkey. Port days are long, with some late departures, and the line has also offered winter sailings in the Arabian Gulf.

Celestyal feels intimate and relaxed, with a Greek-flavored, international crowd. English is the main onboard language, and guests come from North America, Britain, Australia, Latin America and across Europe, often on a land-and-sea trip to Greece. Most are couples and friends in their 40s to 70s, with some families in summer. Dress is casual, with a Greek Night where many guests wear white or blue. The ships are mid-size, so there are no water parks or big-ship attractions, but cruising between islands on a smaller ship, with Greek music and dancing on deck, is the point. Days are port-intensive, so most people spend the cruise ashore and come back to rest.

Meals are served in Thalassa, the main restaurant, and Taverna, the buffet, with Greek and Mediterranean dishes such as moussaka, souvlaki, grilled fish, spanakopita and Greek salads with good olive oil and feta, alongside international options. The fare includes meals and daytime water, juice, tea and filter coffee. Expect a Greek Night menu and plenty of mezze-style dishes.

Entertainment centers on Greek culture: Greek Night with traditional music and dancing, dance and language lessons, destination talks and cooking demonstrations. Evenings bring live music, small production shows and a lounge scene rather than Broadway or casino-heavy nightlife. Because the days are so port-heavy, many guests are happy with a drink on deck and an early night.

Children are welcome and families do sail in summer, but there are few dedicated facilities compared with big family lines. Celestyal works best for older kids and teens who enjoy sightseeing and history.

Cabins are compact to mid-size and simply furnished, from interiors and ocean views to balcony cabins and suites. Suites add more space and extra perks. The ships’ age shows in some layouts, but rooms are clean and refreshed.

The Celestyal One fare includes water, juice, tea, filter coffee and soft drinks during food service hours. Alcoholic drinks are not included but can be prepaid through CelestyalPay, a prepaid onboard wallet, or bought onboard. Greek wines and ouzo are popular orders.

Crew gratuities are included in Celestyal fares, along with port fees, so there is no daily service charge to budget for. Extra tips for outstanding service are optional.