Celestyal Celebrates Maiden Call in Dubai – Cruise Industry News

Celestyal has marked its maiden call in Dubai with a dhow escort, a plaque exchange ceremony and an onboard party, the company announced in a press release.

The event, which took place on December 9, included a number of dhows, a traditional one or two-masted sailing vessel, guiding the Celestyal Journey into port.

According to Celestyal, the escort signaled the synergy between tradition and new beginnings in the region.

Local dignitaries and influencers were then invited onboard for an evening of entertainment and celebrations, featuring special guests such as performance artist Tinie and DJ Charlesy.

The call marked the start of the ship’s seven-day “Desert Days” itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Dubai and calling at Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our history, as we proudly call in Dubai for our first season. The dhow escort into port was a magical moment and the perfect way to officially start our long-term relationship with this captivating destination,” said Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lee Haslett.

“We would like to thank our partners in the region and look forward to a successful first season and beyond. Dubai just had to be on our Desert Days itinerary as it is an iconic destination for our guests. As a truly global city, it provides the ideal mix of culture, immersion and bucket-list moments for our guests,” he added.

After starting earlier this month, Celestyal’s inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf is scheduled to run through March 2025.

The company has already confirmed plans to return to the region for the next three years, with the Celestyal Discovery joining the Celestyal Journey at the end of 2025.

As part of a three-year partnership, the vessel is set to offer three-night long weekend cruises, as well as a four-night mid-week cruise departing from Abu Dhabi. The itineraries feature visits to Doha, Sir Bani Yas, Fujairah, Muscat and Khasab.

The Celestyal Journey will continue to offer seven-night sailings departing from Doha, Qatar; Abu Dhabi; and Dubai, UAE, respectively.