Celestyal Cruises has signed a three-year homeporting agreement with Visit Qatar, the government destination marketing agency, ahead of its first season sailing in the Arabian Gulf.

The agreement, signed at World Travel Market in London, outlines a three-year commitment to the region, and will see Celestyal promote Doha and wider Qatar as a key destination among its guests and agent partners.

The signing of the agreement coincided with Celestyal announcing that Formula 1 driver, entrepreneur, author, and broadcaster David Coulthard will be the celebrity guest speaker aboard Celestyal Journey for the ‘Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix’ cruise.

Departing November 30th, 2024 from Doha, Qatar, Celestyal Cruises’ inaugural roundtrip voyage in the Arabian Gulf begins with an overnight in Doha, giving guests the opportunity to attend the F1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix.

The cruise then sails to Dubai in the UAE, and Khasab in Oman, before returning to the UAE with port calls at Sir Bani Yas Island and in Abu Dhabi.

While onboard, guests will be invited to an event with David Coulthard, who competed in Formula 1 from 1994 to 2008, winning 13 Grands Prix across 15 seasons, racing for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

“It’s a privilege to sign this agreement with Visit Qatar and we would like to thank them for all their support in bringing this partnership to life,” said Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal. “Qatar is an extraordinary destination and an ideal fit for our guests who are seeking immersive, culturally rich experiences.”

“We look forward to working together with our agent partners to showcase everything this unique region offers,” he added.

Celestyal Journey will remain in the Arabian Gulf until March 2025, and will return in 2025 and 2026 under the new agreement, while her fleetmate Celestyal Discovery will join her in the region for her own maiden Middle East season in December 2025.

Celestyal Cruises is interporting during the 2024/25 cruise season, with passengers able to board in Doha or Abu Dhabi for the roundtrip week-long itineraries.

The 1,200-passenger Celestyal Journey previously sailed as Ryndam for Holland America Line, and joined the Celestyal fleet in 2023 following a US $21 million refurbishment and technical maintenance overhaul.

The ship features seven dining venues, with an emphasis on authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, and three bars, as well as multiple sundecks and two pools, including a retractable roof for swimming in rainy weather, which can strike suddenly during the winter cruise season in the Arabian Gulf.

The ship also has an outdoor sports area, a jogging track and a spa and fitness centre on a dedicated wellness deck called The Sozo Experience, inspired by the Greek custom of Sozo — an ancient Greek tradition of wellness of mind, body and spirit.