Greek cruise line Celestyal has announced it will give away a free cruise to every Australian athlete who won a medal at the recent Paris 2024 Olympics.
The cruise line – which has headquarters in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games – has launched the special offer to celebrate Australia’s record-breaking success in Paris.
With 53 medals in total – 18 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze – it was a record haul for the Australian team at an overseas games, including the most golds, eclipsing the previous high of 17 in Athens 2004 and Tokyo 2020.
The offer cements the ties that bind Greece and Australia together in Olympics history, with Greece and Australia the only two nations with representatives at every modern Olympics since the first Summer Games in 1896.
All medal winners can choose from a selection of complimentary cruises including:
- A seven-night ‘Steps of Paul’ voyage, departing Athens on October 12, 2024, onboard Celestyal Journey, calling at Thessaloniki, Kavala, Istanbul, Dikili, Kusadasi and Patmos.
- A selection of seven-night ‘Desert Days’ voyages departing Doha on Celestyal Journey. Eight options are available sailing between December 2024 and March 2025, calling at Khalifa Bin Salman, Dubai, Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi.
- A selection of seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ voyages departing Athens on Celestyal Journey. With 14 options available sailing between May and October, 2025, calling at Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion (Crete), Santorini, Mykonos and Milos.
- A selection of seven-night ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ departing Athens in 2025 on Celestyal Journey. With four options available sailing between April and August 2025, calling at Kotor, Split, Venice or Bari and Katakolo for visits to nearby Ancient Olympia.
Celestyal’s Greece itineraries also offer the ‘National Geographic Day Tour – The history of the Olympic games in Athens’ shore excursion, led by National Geographic-trained guides. Guests trace the evolution of the Olympic Games on an in-depth tour of Olympic sites and discover how ancient Greek athletes continue to inspire the country today. The tour includes an opportunity to meet a former Olympic athlete for an exclusive viewing of the Olympic Sports Complex.
Onboard Celestyal Journey, athletes will enjoy the Sozo Spa experience, which features a series of Ayurvedic treatments, a fully equipped gym, thermal beds and steam rooms. Dining options include the Taverna and Thalassa restaurants, Grill Seekers with Australian lamb chops, modern Asian fusion at Pink Moon, plus poolside Mediterranean street food at the Greek Deli.
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “Following years of exceptionally hard training and the pressures of competing at an Olympic Games, both mentally and physically, there’s no better way for Olympic heroes to unwind and relax than on a Celestyal cruise. Onboard, they can enjoy our extensive wellness program, indulge in authentic and fresh cuisine and explore wonderful ports of call. We look forward to welcoming Australia’s medallists and their guests onboard with our renowned warm hospitality”.
To book their sailing, Australia’s medal winning Olympians can contact Celestyal via email at [email protected] by September 30, 2024.
