Celestyal will expand its Arabian Gulf presence in 2026 with new themed cruises for the Formula 1 Grand Prix and two repositioning sailings from the Mediterranean to Saudi Arabia during its third consecutive winter season in the region.

The programme will see both Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery operating dedicated F1 itineraries with extended port stays timed to coincide with race weekends in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The sailings are designed to allow guests to attend all practice sessions, qualifying, and race-day events during a three-night port call in Doha and Abu Dhabi for the Qatar and Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prixes respectively.

Celestyal Journey, a 1,260-passenger vessel, will be positioned in Doha on November 27th, 2026, for an eight-night itinerary centred on the Qatar Grand Prix.

Following its three-night stay in Doha, the ship will continue to Dubai with an overnight call, before visiting Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain.

One week later, Celestyal Discovery will begin a seven-night itinerary from Abu Dhabi on December 4th, 2026, also featuring a three-night stay in port before sailing onwards to Doha, Ras Al Khaimah, and Khasab in Oman.

Returning to the region with both ships marks a notable expansion of Celestyal’s Gulf operations, which now extend through to March 2027.

“Returning to the Arabian Gulf for a third consecutive season with both of our ships is a significant milestone for Celestyal and a clear reflection of the demand we continue to see for this region,” said Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer of Celestyal. “Our previous Formula 1 sailings have been some of the most successful and talked-about itineraries we have ever operated, combining world-class sporting events with immersive destinations and the ease of a cruise holiday.”

“Building on that momentum, our new Doha and Abu Dhabi F1 sailings for 2026 offer guests even more time in port, seamless access to race-weekend action and the opportunity to explore the Gulf in depth,” he added.

Alongside the F1 programme, Celestyal has also confirmed two repositioning cruises for November 2026, sailing from Athens to Jeddah via the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, Jordan, and the Red Sea. These voyages will enable both ships to transition into their Arabian Gulf winter deployments.

Celestyal Journey will depart Athens on November 14th, 2026, on a seven-night sailing calling at Port Said and Safaga in Egypt, transiting the Suez Canal, and visiting Aqaba in Jordan before arriving in Jeddah.

Celestyal Discovery will follow on November 20th, 2026, operating an eight-night voyage that includes the same ports as well as a call at Kusadasi in Turkey. A seven-night segment will also be available from Kusadasi.

“The strong demand for our Athens to Jeddah sailings last year confirmed the appeal of these longer, destination-led voyages,” said Haslett. “Building on that success, these new sailings support a seamless transition into our third consecutive Arabian Gulf season.”

Following their arrival in Saudi Arabia, both ships will continue into the Gulf to begin winter operations. The vessels will sail without passengers through the Red Sea and around the coast of Yemen, an operational adjustment that worked well for the line during its most recent Arabian Gulf season.

Celestyal Journey will operate a revised seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary roundtrip from Doha, while Celestyal Discovery will maintain its three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ programme from Abu Dhabi.

As a result of the revised deployment, the three-night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’ sailing scheduled to depart on November 20th, 2026, will be cancelled. Travel partners with affected bookings have been notified and provided with revised arrangements and rebooking options.

Celestyal 2026/27 Arabian Gulf and repositioning programme

Formula 1 sailings

Celestyal Journey: 8-night Doha-based F1 itinerary, departing November 27th, 2026

Celestyal Discovery: 7-night Abu Dhabi-based F1 itinerary, departing December 4th, 2026

Repositioning cruises

Celestyal Journey: 7 nights, Athens to Jeddah, departing November 14th, 2026

Celestyal Discovery: 8 nights, Athens to Jeddah via Kusadasi, departing November 20th, 2026

Winter Arabian Gulf operations (to March 2027)

Celestyal Journey: 7-night ‘Desert Days’, roundtrip Doha

Celestyal Discovery: 3-, 4- and 7-night Iconic Arabia, roundtrip Abu Dhabi