Celestyal Discovery has officially launched its 2025 Greece and Mediterranean season following an extensive refurbishment in Athens. The cruise ship made history by becoming the first to call at Santorini after Greek authorities lifted temporary restrictions on the island.
On 21 March, the 1,360-guest vessel departed from Athens on a three-night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’ cruise, which featured a stop at Santorini on 23 March. The ship’s refit introduced 47 new staterooms, enhancing its accommodation offerings and catering to the growing demand for premium stays at sea.
As part of the refurbishment, 32 suites were added, increasing the ship’s premium capacity by 52%. Additionally, 15 new interior ‘Cosmos Cabins’ were introduced, contributing to an overall capacity rise of 7.4%. The newly added suites include two distinct categories: 30 ‘Junior Dream Suites’ measuring 25m², each with balconies up to 5.6m², and two ‘Grand Horizon Suites’ spanning 42m², located above the bridge with separate living areas and spacious 15.5m² balconies for panoramic views.
The refit also saw the introduction of ‘Smoked Olive,’ a dedicated dining venue exclusive to suite guests, offering complimentary dining alongside select à la carte options at a small surcharge. Later in the season, a ‘pop-up’ restaurant called ‘Grill Seekers’ will be introduced, providing a private dining experience with premium regional cuisine inspired by the ship’s itinerary.
Celestyal has invested significantly in the ship since adding it to its fleet in November 2023. Initial upgrades included a redesign of all social spaces, a stateroom refresh, and new dining options such as Café Nation, ‘Pizza Oven,’ and the poolside ‘Greek Deli.’ The refurbishment was overseen by the specialist design agency AMK.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, expressed excitement over the enhancements, stating: “This latest refit reinforces our commitment to constantly evolving our guest experience and offering out-of-this-world value. Our stunning upgrades, including two new cabin categories, provide guests with even more home comforts and choice in line with demand for more premium and spacious staterooms.”
“We were thrilled to debut Celestyal Discovery’s upgrades last week and to be the first cruise line back to the island of Santorini, which remains a firm favourite among our guests, as we kick-start the new season in the Greek islands and Mediterranean.”
Celestyal Discovery will operate three- and four-night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’ cruises from March to November, departing from Athens and calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Prices start at A$549 per person twin share for an interior Cosmos cabin, A$1,629 per person twin share for a Junior Dream Suite, and A$2,019 per person twin share for a Grand Horizon Suite. These fares include all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, and gratuities.
For more information visit the Celestyal trade portal, contact a local Celestyal business development representative or call 1800 648 737.
