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| PRESS RELEASE |
| CELESTYAL CRUISES ANNOUNCES EXTENDED 2019 AND NEW 2020 ITINERARIES INCLUDING SEVEN NEW PORTS OF CALL New Seven-Night Eclectic Aegean Cruises Call at Istanbul, Canakkale and Volos; New Seven-Night, Three Continents Cruise Sails to Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey |
| ATHENS, GREECE (February 04, 2019) – Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning, main home-porting cruise operator in Greece and the preeminent line serving the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean has extended the season with new 2019 and 2020 itineraries. In 2019 Celestyal Cruises will extend its season through December and return to Istanbul for the first time since 2016 with its new seven-night Eclectic Aegean itinerary, which sails six departures from October 21st, 2019 through November 25th, 2019. This “eclectic’ cruise includes an overnight stay in Istanbul and calls at Volos, Greece, for excursions to the stunning mountains of Meteora, and to Canakkale, Turkey, for excursions to Troy and Gallipoli. The seven-night “Eclectic Aegean” will also visit Heraklion and Santorini and, during its call at Mykonos, will depart at 2:00 a.m. so guests can fully enjoy the nightlife of this cosmopolitan island. |
| Celestyal Cruises is also pleased to announce the launch of its seven night “Three Continents” cruises in 2019, with five sailings in December 2019; the first departs from Piraeus, Athens on December 2nd, while the fifth and final cruise sails from Piraeus on December 30th. The “Three Continents” cruise calls at Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt, at Ashdod, Israel, at Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey, at Limassol, Cyprus, and at Rhodes. With three included shore excursions guests will experience an authentic deep dive into the incredible history and culture of these storied destinations. |
| In 2020 Celestyal Cruises will continue its well-established three- and four-night Iconic cruises and further strengthen its seven-night itineraries by offering a variety of choices to new and returning guests. The seven-night “Eclectic Aegean” will sail from April 4th until May 9th, 2020, with a second series of cruises beginning on September 5th and sailing through the end of October 2020. Celestyal Cruises’ seven-night “Idyllic Aegean” cruises will sail from May 16th through August 29th, while the “Three Continents” cruise will sail from Feb 29th through March 28th and Nov 7th through December 26th, 2020. |
| Celestyal Cruises’ extended 2019 and 2020 seasons are a first step toward its goal of sailing year-round cruises. All 2019 and 2020 cruises feature the award winning Celestyal all-inclusive experience with an unlimited drinks package, all meals on-board, entertainment, select shore excursions, port and service charges and gratuities included in the fare. |
| “Our 2019 and 2020 itineraries add seven new ports of call to our Eastern Mediterranean product and bring us closer to our objective of sailing year-round in our home waters,” said Leslie Peden, chief commercial officer. “We are thrilled to be leading the return to Istanbul with unique overnight stays, and to give our guests the opportunity to visit Ephesus, Troy or Gallipoli, as well as Volos, Greece, the gateway to the fabled mountain landscapes of Meteora, and with our new ‘Three Continents’ cruise, our guests can now visit the Holy Land and the Pyramids, in addition to calling at our spectacular Aegean destinations. Given our recent Cruise Critic awards for value, shore excursions, entertainment and service, and the addition of these incredible ports of call to our itineraries, we continue to give new and returning guests more reasons to sail with us.” |
| For more information about our 2019 and 2020 itineraries, please visit www.celestyalcruises.com. |
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| About Celestyal Celestyal Cruises is the main home-porting cruise operator in Greece and the preeminent cruise line serving the Greek Islands and East Mediterranean. The company operates two mid-sized vessels, each one cozy enough to provide genuine and highly-personalized services. The foundation of the company’s philosophy is the ‘destination.’ Every cruise focuses on true cultural immersion, offering authentic, lifetime experiences both on board and on shore wherever its vessels sail. |
| Awards In December 2018 Celestyal Cruises was given the UK Editors’ Picks Award for Best Service by Cruise Critic, the world's largest cruise reviews site and online cruise community. In February 2018 Celestyal Cruises received four Cruise Critic Cruisers Choice Awards: two first place awards, for Shore Excursions and Value, and two second place awards, for Service and Entertainment. |
| Corporate Responsibility Celestyal Cruises is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical business practices. The company actively supports the local communities in the destinations it visits, particularly in the field of education. Since 2015, more than 2000 students on the Greek islands of Milos, Patmos, Samos and Ios have enjoyed a ‘journey to knowledge’, by attending specialized educational programs, initiated by Celestyal Cruises. Additionally, Celestyal Cruises supports cultural NGOs to promote youth entrepreneurship, marine student development and child welfare. |
| ISO Certification The entire spectrum of Celestyal Cruises’ ship management, including technical, hotel and crew management, and offices, are certified in accordance with ISO 9001/14001 standards. The certifying authority is DNV-GL, which is by widely recognized as the biggest and most respected rating agency in the marine industry. |
| Connect with Celestyal Cruises: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn |
| Media Contacts Charles Mardiks, Mardiks PR, chuck@mardikspr.com, ph: 646.283.5273 Frosso Zaroulea, Celestyal Cruises, f.zaroulea@celestyalcruises.gr, ph: +30.216.4009659 |