Celestyal Journey

Celestyal Journey represents a significant upgrade for the Celestyal fleet, offering more spacious accommodations and enhanced amenities compared to the line’s previous vessels. Originally built as MS Ryndam for Holland America Line, the vessel has a rich history spanning nearly three decades of service across multiple cruise brands.

Ship History and Acquisition

Celestyal Journey began her life as MS Ryndam, the third ship in Holland America Line’s Statendam class. Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, she was launched in 1994 and served with Holland America until 2015, when she was transferred to P&O Cruises Australia and renamed Pacific Aria. In 2021, she was sold to Seajets, a Greek ferry operator, and briefly renamed Aegean Goddess, though she never entered service under this name due to the pandemic.

In March 2023, Celestyal Cruises announced the acquisition of the vessel, marking a significant milestone in the company’s fleet renewal strategy. After an extensive refurbishment to align with Celestyal’s brand identity and guest experience standards, the ship entered service in September 2023, becoming the new flagship of the fleet.

The acquisition of Celestyal Journey represented a strategic move for Celestyal Cruises, allowing the company to offer a more premium product while maintaining its focus on authentic Greek hospitality and destination-rich itineraries. The ship’s size strikes the perfect balance – large enough to provide diverse amenities yet small enough to access intimate ports throughout the Mediterranean.

Onboard Features and Amenities

Celestyal Journey offers a comprehensive range of facilities designed to enhance the guest experience while maintaining the intimate atmosphere that Celestyal is known for:

Dining Options:

Thalassa Restaurant – The main dining venue serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on Mediterranean cuisine and international favorites. The restaurant features large windows offering panoramic sea views and can accommodate up to 600 guests in a single seating.
Marco Polo Restaurant – A specialty dining venue offering an elevated culinary experience with a menu that changes throughout the cruise, featuring dishes inspired by the destinations visited.
Mediterraneo Restaurant – A casual dining option serving Mediterranean favorites in a relaxed atmosphere.
Leda Buffet – The ship’s buffet restaurant offering a wide variety of dishes throughout the day, including themed nights celebrating Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
The Grill – An outdoor specialty restaurant serving grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables with stunning sea views.
Chef’s Table – An exclusive dining experience featuring a multi-course tasting menu paired with selected wines, hosted by the executive chef.
Greek Deli – A casual venue serving authentic Greek street food, mezze, and pastries.
Ice Cream & Healthy Juice Corner – Offering refreshing treats and nutritious options throughout the day.

Bars & Lounges:

ΘEATRO Show Lounge – The main entertainment venue hosting production shows, live music, and guest performances.
Horizons Lounge and Disco – A panoramic venue offering stunning views by day and transforming into a nightclub after dark.
Three symposiums – Intimate venues for musical performances, lectures, and tastings.
The Grill Lounge – A relaxed bar adjacent to The Grill restaurant.
Ocean Bar – A classic cruise ship bar offering cocktails and live music.
Helios Bar – A poolside bar serving refreshing drinks and light snacks.
Martini Piano Bar – An elegant venue featuring craft cocktails and live piano music.

Wellness & Recreation:

Expanded Sozo Spa – A comprehensive wellness facility offering a range of treatments inspired by Greek and Mediterranean healing traditions. The spa features treatment rooms, a thermal suite with heated loungers, a steam room, and a sauna.
Fitness center – A well-equipped gym with cardio and strength training equipment, plus scheduled fitness classes.
Outdoor pool with retractable roof – Allowing for swimming regardless of weather conditions.
Sports deck – Featuring a jogging track, shuffleboard, and other outdoor activities.
Casino – Offering a selection of table games and slot machines.
Duty-free shops – Selling souvenirs, jewelry, clothing, and sundries.
Photography studio – Capturing memorable moments throughout the cruise.

Accommodation: Celestyal Journey offers a variety of cabin categories to suit different preferences and budgets:

Interior cabins – Comfortable accommodations for 2-4 guests, featuring modern amenities and efficient use of space.
Exterior/Oceanview cabins – Similar to interior cabins but with a window or porthole offering natural light and sea views.
Junior Suites with balcony – Spacious accommodations featuring a sitting area and private veranda.
Grand Suites with balcony – Luxurious accommodations with separate living and sleeping areas, plus an expanded balcony.
Penthouse Suites – The largest and most luxurious accommodations on the ship, featuring separate bedroom and living areas, a dining space, and an expansive private veranda.

All accommodations feature Celestyal’s signature comfort amenities, including premium bedding, flat-screen televisions, mini-refrigerators, and private bathrooms with shower. Suite guests enjoy additional perks such as priority embarkation and disembarkation, complimentary specialty dining, premium beverage packages, and dedicated concierge service.

Itineraries and Destinations

Celestyal Journey primarily operates in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a focus on Greek Islands and Turkish coastal destinations. The ship’s itineraries are designed to maximize time in port, often featuring late departures or overnight stays to allow guests to experience the destinations more fully.

Signature itineraries include:

Idyllic Aegean – A 7-night voyage exploring iconic Greek Islands including Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Crete, plus a visit to Kuşadası, Turkey.
Eclectic Aegean – A 7-night journey combining Greek Islands with fascinating Turkish ports including Istanbul and Çanakkale.
Three Continents – An innovative itinerary visiting Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt.
Steps of Paul – A specialized voyage following the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul through Greece and Turkey.

During the winter season, Celestyal Journey operates in the Arabian Gulf, offering unique itineraries that showcase the rich cultural heritage and modern marvels of the region, with calls at ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.nal connection with the content.