Celestyal Journey Debuts in the Eastern Mediterranean

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The Celestyal Journey is now in service for Celestyal Cruises.

After a $21 million refit, the ship kicked off its inaugural season on Saturday.

Taking over the schedule of the Celestyal Crystal, the vessel set sail from Piraeus on a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Following Celestyal’s Idyllic Aegean itinerary, the maiden voyage includes visits to six destinations in Greece and Turkey, including Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Milos. The cruise also includes overnight visits to Santorini and Mykonos before returning to Piraeus.

Continuing its maiden season, the Celestyal Journey is scheduled to offer different itineraries during the fall, such as the “Steps of Paul” and the “Three Continents.”

While the first includes additional stops in Greece and Turkey, such as Kavala, Dikili and Istanbul, the second sails to the Holy Land, with visits to destinations in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel, including Kusadasi, Rhodes, Limassol and Port Said.

Joining the Celestyal Olympia in Celestyal’s fleet, the Celestyal Journey was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Part of Holland America’s S-Class, the ship first entered service in 1994 as the Ryndam.

After two decades of service, it was transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in 2015, becoming the Pacific Aria.

Five years later, in 2020, the vessel was sold to Seajets, remaining laid-up in Greece before being resold to Celestyal in February.

Following the recent refit, the 55,000-ton ship introduced several new features, including a selection of eight dining venues.

The Celestyal Journey also offers a total of eight bars and lounges, in addition to two lido decks, a two-deck theatre, a casino, a tennis court, a video arcade and a shopping area.

Other features include a full spa and wellness centre equipped with a gym, a beauty centre, saunas, a thermal suite, massage rooms and a relaxation room.

Saga Adds Four More Celebrity Faces to Their Entertainment Line-Up

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Saga Cruises has added four more celebrity faces to its onboard entertainment line-up in the coming months.

 TV stars Jennie Bond, Charlie Dimmock, John Craven and Dr. Sian Williams are the latest celebrities to join Saga sailings to give talks and answer guests’ questions on their specialist areas.

Journalist and broadcaster, Jennie Bond is known as a presenter on two of the BBC’s most popular shows, Cash in the Attic and Rip Off Britain, among others. She will deliver a talk and Q&A session on Saga’s 14-night Winter Sun in the Canaries voyage departing onboard the Spirit of Discovery from Portsmouth on December 7, 2023. Prices for the cruise start from £2,826 per person.

Presenter and editor John Craven OBE, best known for John Craven’s Newsround, will talk to guests about his broadcasting career on the 14-night Canary Island Medley cruise departing from Portsmouth onboard the Spirit of Adventure on December 4, 2023. Prices start from £2,737 per person. 

 Dr Sian Williams, a registered Counselling Psychologist, will be ​​a guest on the Highlights of Spain and the Balearics cruise on the Spirit of Adventure, departing Dover on September 24, 2023.

Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises, said: “We’ve been really focusing on our entertainment program and securing high-quality celebrities to talk on subjects we know our guests will enjoy from life behind the lens, to the royals and gardening. These latest speakers deliver exactly that, and we anticipate a full house for their sessions.”

Royal Caribbean Offering Unique Mix of Cruises From Singapore

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Royal Caribbean International is highlighting its upcoming sailings from Singapore, which offer a unique mix of itineraries.

The homeporting program from Singapore includes several destinations in Southeast Asia, the company said, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China and Malaysia.

12 Nights, Four Countries and Seven Cities

On September 19, 2023, the Spectrum of the Seas is offering a 12-night cruise to Japan. Sailing from Singapore to Tokyo, the one-way cruise was designed for “adventurers at heart,” Royal Caribbean said, and allows passengers to experience the sights, sounds and cultures of Asia.

The itinerary features stops at a total of four countries and seven cities: Nha Trang, in Vietnam; Hong Kong, in China; and Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima, in Japan.

Three-Night Getaway

The Spectrum of the Seas offers short getaways as well, including a three-night cruise to Penang, in Malaysia, on November 6, 2023.

The short sailing offers the “perfect opportunity to unwind, recharge, and bond,” Royal Caribbean said.

New Year, New Travel Destinations

Royal Caribbean is also offering a couple of nine-night cruises to Thailand and Vietnam in early 2024. According to the company, these itineraries allow guests to “explore a myriad of cultures, historical sites, and street food, starting the new year with new horizons.”

Departing on January 2 and February 17, the cruises sail roundtrip from Singapore and feature visits to different destinations, including Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.

Discover Shanghai’s Magic and Majesty

Passengers can also sail from Singapore to Shanghai with this special eight-night repositioning cruise scheduled for April 18, 2024.

The itinerary also features visits to Nha Trang, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.

For those seeking to deepen their exploration of China, the company suggests different land tours as well, including a scenic train ride to Beijing.

Anthem of the Seas Arrives in November 2024

Replacing the Spectrum of the Seas, the Anthem of the Seas is set to arrive in Singapore in November 2024.

Set to debut in the region, the Quantum-class vessel offers a series of Royal Caribbean signature features, as well as a new Olivier Award-winning musical, We Will Rock You.

Taking guests to various destinations in Southeast Asia, the ship’s program includes sailing to Penang, in Malaysia, and Phuket, in Thailand, on January 27 and February 4, 2025.