Celestyal refines ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailings for 2025

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

March 3, 2025
Discovery Abu Dhabi

Celestyal has unveiled refreshed itineraries for its new-for-2025 three- and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailings aboard Celestyal Discovery, as the cruise line’s inaugural Arabian Gulf season draws to a close in March.

Based on feedback from guests, travel agents and Celestyal’s regional partners, the itineraries will now feature additional stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, with the introduction of Ras Al Khaimah as a new port of call.

The new itineraries have been renamed and are as follows:

• Iconic Arabia, featuring Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas Island: three-night sailings departing on a Friday, roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, visiting Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island for a combination of beach and wildlife safari experiences. Prices start from £279pp.

• Iconic Arabia, featuring Abu Dhabi, Doha and Oman: four-night sailings departing on a Monday, roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha and Dubai (via Ras Al Khaimah) and the coastal port of Khasab in Oman. Prices start from £349pp.

The prices above are part of the current ‘Live Your Vacation Dream’ promotion available on new bookings made until March 16, 2025, and include up to €100 of complimentary specialty drinks and dining per person pre-loaded on each guest’s CelestyalPay tab*.

Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “We strive to deliver unmissable experiences, and in doing so constantly listen to our guests and travel agent community. Following a hugely successful first season in the Arabian Gulf we learnt more about what our guests and partners would like to see and are excited to announce these changes based on their feedback. Since launching our winter season Arabian Gulf itineraries, we’ve been thrilled by the positive response and the growing interest from both repeat and new-to-cruise customers in exploring this spectacular region.

“Our guests have told us they love iconic destinations like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, as well as discovering more off-the-beaten-track ports that are synonymous with a Celestyal voyage, such as Sir Bani Yas Island and the coastal resort of Khasab. We’re known for our destination immersive and port intensive cruises, so we have refined our 2025 itineraries to offer more time in our guest’s favourite ports, while adding an additional port in the stunning Ras Al Khaimah.”

The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will commence her inaugural Arabian Gulf season in the region on December 12, 2025, joining her fleet mate, the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, who returns to the Arabian Gulf on December 6, 2025. Celestyal Journey will operate the popular ‘Desert Days’ itinerary as planned, starting the season with an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise. The cruise line will then offer a combination of 7-night, 3- and 4-night Gulf itineraries from December through to March on both ships, for the next three consecutive seasons.

For more information, visit celestyal.com or call 0808 258 4170.