Cruisin" Greek - Celestyal Cruise Line Profile
In late 2014, European travel company the Louis Group PLC rebranded the cruise line segment of its business, Louis Cruises, to Celestyal Cruises. The Louis Group continues to operate its ship charter business as Louis Cruises. The Louis Group has been in the cruise business since the early 1970's, originally operating short cruises in the eastern Mediterranean from Cyprus. Over the years, the business has grown and the company now owns five ships, with two of them leased to Thomson Cruises'
The biggest highlight of Celestyal Cruises is that its ships visit many islands and ports of call in the eastern Mediterranean that are either not accessible to larger ships or that Celestyal has properly identified as special and interesting to travelers using its in-depth knowledge of the region.
Most of Celestyal Cruises' itineraries are in the eastern Mediterranean, primarily Greece and Turkey. The onboard ambiance is casual, with no formal nights. Most passengers are focused on visiting these marvelous destinations on the cruise lines' 3, 4, and 7-night itineraries.
Celestyal promotes its cruises as providing the best of Greece, and is the only cruise line to homeport its ships in Greece. The company has proudly sailed the eastern Mediterranean for over 25 years, so its local knowledge is significant. Much of the onboard ambiance is Greek or Mediterranean. Announcements are made in English, Greek, and other languages with a significant number of travelers onboard (ie Italian, Spanish, German).
Celestyal Cruises operates three of the five ships it owns:
Celestyal Cruises leased the 836-passenger the MV Explorer in 2015 and rebranded it as the Celestyal Odyssey. This ship primarily sails 3- and 4-day cruises of Greece and Turkey from Izmir or Kusadasi. More on the Celestyal Odyssey - Photo Gallery
Celestyal Cruises' ships primarily cater to budget-minded travelers and families looking for a good value to great destinations in the eastern Mediterranean. Cruise history buffs who love classic-looking cruise ships are also attracted. Passengers are international, with most from North America and Europe. Since many of the cruises are either three or four nights, many guests drive to the embarkation ports from their homes in Greece. The company's ships are older, so they do not have all the activities for children found on newer ships like water parks.
These ships are older, and most cabins do not have private balconies. The cabins vary significantly amongst all the ships and on each individual ship. Since the cruises are destination-focused, having a large cabin with a balcony is not as important as on ships with more time at sea.
The food is of good quality and features mostly Continental cuisine, with a lot of Greek, Turkish, and eastern Mediterranean dishes. All ships have a casual buffet and one or more main dining rooms.
Each of the ships has a show lounge with production shows from the onboard entertainment team, talent shows, comedians, and magicians. With so much emphasis on the ports of call, nightly entertainment is not as important as on larger cruise ships. Some of the shows are Greek-oriented, with Greek music and dancing.
All the Celestyal Cruises' ships have numerous lounges and a casino. All of the bars and lounges are busy in the evenings, and everyone seems to enjoy the music and dancing. However, some of the indoor common areas and pool area seem packed when everyone is on board.
The spa and fitness areas on the Celestyal Cruises' ships are not as luxurious or spacious as those seen on newer ships. However, you will find a beauty salon and spa that offer all the usual treatments and a small fitness center on each ship.
Celestyal Cruises Home Page
How to Contact Celestyal Cruises
History of Louis Group and Celestyal Cruises
The biggest highlight of Celestyal Cruises is that its ships visit many islands and ports of call in the eastern Mediterranean that are either not accessible to larger ships or that Celestyal has properly identified as special and interesting to travelers using its in-depth knowledge of the region.
Celestyal Cruises Lifestyle
Most of Celestyal Cruises' itineraries are in the eastern Mediterranean, primarily Greece and Turkey. The onboard ambiance is casual, with no formal nights. Most passengers are focused on visiting these marvelous destinations on the cruise lines' 3, 4, and 7-night itineraries.
Celestyal promotes its cruises as providing the best of Greece, and is the only cruise line to homeport its ships in Greece. The company has proudly sailed the eastern Mediterranean for over 25 years, so its local knowledge is significant. Much of the onboard ambiance is Greek or Mediterranean. Announcements are made in English, Greek, and other languages with a significant number of travelers onboard (ie Italian, Spanish, German).
Celestyal Cruises Ships
Celestyal Cruises operates three of the five ships it owns:
- Celestyal Crystal. This 1000-passenger cruise ship was originally built as the cruise ferry MS Viking Saga in 1980. Today's cruise travelers might remember the ship as the Norwegian Cruise Line Leeward since she sailed under that name in the 1990's. The Celestyal Crystal was most recently named the Louis Cristal until she was re-branded in late 2014. More on the Celestyal Crystal -- Photo Gallery
Most of the year, the Celestyal Crystal primarily sails 3, 4, or 7-day cruises of Greece and Turkey from the Greek ports of Lavrion and Piraeus. In the winter cruise season of December to April, she is leased to Cuba Cruises for 7-night Caribbean cruises to Cuba. - Celestyal Olympia. This is the company's largest ship, carrying 1664 passengers. The Celestyal Olympia was built in 1982 and originally sailed for Royal Caribbean Cruise LInes as the Song of America. Most recently, the Celestyal Olympia was named the Thomson Destiny. The Celestyal Olympia primarily sails 3- and 4-day cruises of Greece and Turkey from Athens or Kusadasi.
- Louis Aura. This 895-passenger cruise ship formerly operated at the Orient Queen. The ship was built in 1968 and sailed as the Norwegian Cruise Line Starward until 1995. Most recently the ship has cruised roundtrip from Limassol, Cyprus on 4- or 6-night cruises to the southeastern Mediterranean.
Celestyal Cruises leased the 836-passenger the MV Explorer in 2015 and rebranded it as the Celestyal Odyssey. This ship primarily sails 3- and 4-day cruises of Greece and Turkey from Izmir or Kusadasi. More on the Celestyal Odyssey - Photo Gallery
Celestyal Cruises Passenger Profile
Celestyal Cruises' ships primarily cater to budget-minded travelers and families looking for a good value to great destinations in the eastern Mediterranean. Cruise history buffs who love classic-looking cruise ships are also attracted. Passengers are international, with most from North America and Europe. Since many of the cruises are either three or four nights, many guests drive to the embarkation ports from their homes in Greece. The company's ships are older, so they do not have all the activities for children found on newer ships like water parks.
Celestyal Cruises Cabins and Accommodations
These ships are older, and most cabins do not have private balconies. The cabins vary significantly amongst all the ships and on each individual ship. Since the cruises are destination-focused, having a large cabin with a balcony is not as important as on ships with more time at sea.
Celestyal Cruises Dining and Cuisine
The food is of good quality and features mostly Continental cuisine, with a lot of Greek, Turkish, and eastern Mediterranean dishes. All ships have a casual buffet and one or more main dining rooms.
Celestyal Cruises Onboard Activities and Entertainment
Each of the ships has a show lounge with production shows from the onboard entertainment team, talent shows, comedians, and magicians. With so much emphasis on the ports of call, nightly entertainment is not as important as on larger cruise ships. Some of the shows are Greek-oriented, with Greek music and dancing.
Celestyal Cruises Common Areas
All the Celestyal Cruises' ships have numerous lounges and a casino. All of the bars and lounges are busy in the evenings, and everyone seems to enjoy the music and dancing. However, some of the indoor common areas and pool area seem packed when everyone is on board.
Celestyal Cruises Spa, Fitness, and Gym:
The spa and fitness areas on the Celestyal Cruises' ships are not as luxurious or spacious as those seen on newer ships. However, you will find a beauty salon and spa that offer all the usual treatments and a small fitness center on each ship.
More on Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises Home Page
How to Contact Celestyal Cruises
History of Louis Group and Celestyal Cruises
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