Celestyal Cruises fleet meets in Arabian Gulf during 2025/26 winter season

Celestyal Cruises‘ two-ship fleet met in the Arabian Gulf for the first time this week, with the Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery crossing paths while operating their respective winter deployments in the region.

The cruise line announced the meeting in a social media update, marking a milestone for the Greece-based cruise line as it continues to expand its seasonal presence beyond its traditional Eastern Mediterranean operations.

“A Celestyal first—both of our ships sailing side by side in this part of the world,” the company said in its post.

Both vessels are currently deployed in the Arabian Gulf as part of Celestyal’s winter programme, operating distinct itineraries tailored to short-duration and weeklong cruising in the region.

The meeting between the two ships was a physical reflection of the company’s growing confidence in the Gulf as a repeat seasonal market rather than a one-off expansion.

Celestyal Discovery is operating in the region for the first time this winter, offering the cruise line’s Iconic Arabia itineraries.

Sailing from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the programme is built around three- and four-night cruises that visit a selection of ports across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar.

Ports of call for the 2003-built vessel include Ras Al Khaimah, Khasab, Doha, and Sir Bani Yas, combining city-based calls with nature-focused destinations.

The deployment marks the first Middle East season for the Celestyal Discovery since joining the fleet, positioning the ship as the line’s short-cruise platform in the region.

The itineraries are designed to appeal to both fly-cruise passengers and regional markets seeking shorter sailings during the winter months.

This is the second Middle East season for Celestyal Journey, which has returned to the Arabian Gulf for a series of seven-night cruises under the company’s Desert Days programme.

Sailing from Dubai and Doha, the itineraries feature calls in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. Scheduled ports include Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi, and Khalifa Bin Salman, offering a mix of established cruise hubs and emerging destinations.

Both ships are scheduled to conclude their Arabian Gulf seasons in late March before repositioning back to Europe for the summer.

Celestyal Cruises has already confirmed both vessels will return to the Arabian Gulf for the 2026/27 season, signalling that the region is becoming an established component of Celestyal Cruises’ annual operational cycle.