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Celestyal Cruises Review - Idyllic Aegean Cruise from Athens

By JustinPlusLauren , July 26, 2023 in Celestyal Cruises

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Hello everyone! We sailed for the first time with Celestyal Cruises this past June aboard the Celestyal Crystal. It was the Idyllic Aegean itinerary from Athens, which included Thessaloniki, Kusadasi (Turkey), Heraklion (Crete), Santorini, Mykonos and Milos. When our ship couldn't dock in Mykonos due to high winds, we went to Syros instead which was beautiful! And then we went to Mykono in the evening, so we got to visit two islands in one day!

Celestyal Cruises isn't like most other cruise lines I've been on. The ships are rather no-frills with the focus being more on the ports. With that said, the food and drink was awesome, and we loved being on a smaller ship and getting to know the staff better for more personalized service!

I've written a full review of our experiences with everything you need to know about Celestyal Cruises. We've also written some pros and cons to traveling on this cruise and ultimately some reason why we really enjoyed our trip.

Check out the review here:  https://justinpluslauren.com/celestyal-cruises-review/

Here are a few photos from the places we visited on our cruise!  Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have! 

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• 3 weeks later...

allegrocontadino

Hello Justin. One question i am having difficulties in finding an answer. Do you know wether water dispenser are available 24/7 or only at meal times? Thanks

On 8/12/2023 at 11:21 AM, allegrocontadino said: Hello Justin. One question i am having difficulties in finding an answer. Do you know wether water dispenser are available 24/7 or only at meal times? Thanks

The only place I saw water dispensers was in the buffet. We ended up having to up our included drinks package to the premium version simply for the ease of getting water! It had better liquors included as well and at $300 or so each was way easier to stomach than 7-day beverage packages on other major cruise lines. 

Your photos are gorgeous! I’ve asked a weird question on this forum, hoping you’ll take a look at it. Thanks.

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Celestyal Cruises Overview & Daily Cruise Photo Diary

If you are considering a cruise with Celestyal Cruises you may be wondering what a typical day onboard is like.

I loved my Celestyal cruise – but it was very different from cruising with an American or British cruise line. 

I took a 4-night “Iconic Aegean” itinerary onboard the Celestyal Olympia from Pireaus in 2019.

Who Are Celestyal Cruises?

Celestyal are a Greek Cruise line, who have three ships, Celestyal Journey, Celestyal Olympia and Celesytal Crystal.

They offer cruises around the Greek Isles, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean.

They have medium-sized cruise ships that have previously sailed with other more mainstream cruise lines. This means they can visit smaller islands and ports than larger ships.

If you want to explore this part of the world, they offer a more authentic Greek experience than the mainstream cruise lines.

Celestyal Cruises routinely visit more than one Island a day, so if your time is short and you want to visit many places, Celestyal could be a cruise line for you to consider!

OUR SIGNATURE AT SEA Our ships are medium sized which means they can visit ports that larger vessels cannot access, allowing us to offer unique smaller and almost undiscovered destinations in our itineraries. Onboard, our guests get to enjoy a more cosy, homely atmosphere and a less crowded affair and therefore the highest standards of customer care, comfort and personalized service Celestyal Cruises

In this post we find out where I travelled – and how I found the whole Celestyal experience!

Day 1 – Athens and Mykonos

Embarkation.

Boarding the Celestyal Olympia in Pireaus (the port for Athens) was really easy.

We queued up for about 5 or 10 minutes to drop off our bags and maybe 5 minutes more to actually check-in.

We were on board the ship by 9.30 am – which is incredibly early for a cruise! On most cruises, you’ll find the earliest you can embark is around midday.

To learn more about when you can embark on most cruises check out this post: How Early Can You Board a Cruise Ship?

I was continually impressed with the organization of Celestyal during the cruise!

They managed to organise cruisers who speak multiple languages with ease! A few of the bigger cruise lines could learn a lot from Celestyal!

Find out more about my embarkation by watching the video below:

My Ship – Celestyal Olympia

I love exploring a new ship for the first time. The Celestyal Olympia was originally built for Royal Caribbean and sailed as the “Song Of America.”

She was launched way back in 1982 – but you really wouldn’t know that just by being onboard. I’ve been on ships that are from the ’00s that feel much older.

The ship is a little bit higgledy-piggledy – with odd steps around and a bit of an odd layout. That said, the ship had clearly been very well taken care of – nothing was broken or looking worn.

The ship also belonged to Sun Cruises and was Thomson Destiny for Thomson. Thomson Cruises had a rebrand and are now called “ Marella .”

To find out more about Marella Cruises, read this article next:

Like Cruising With American Cruise Lines? You May Enjoy Marella Cruises

Celestyal Olympia is clearly well-loved by the crew onboard and by passengers, both past and present.

The Muster Drill

The muster drill took place on the promenade deck and was easy enough. We all had to wear our life jackets and stand in lines as you often did pre-pandemic.

It was again pretty well organized and didn’t take too long. The muster drill was done in a couple of languages with English being one of the main languages spoken.

Many cruise lines have now given up actual Musters – preferring for passengers to watch a safety briefing – either on the cabin TV or on the Cruise line App. You then have to go to your Muster Staton to make sure you could find it in case of emergency.

I was a little bit worried prior to the cruise about taking a cruise with a Greek cruise line – due to the fact I can’t speak any Greek at all.

All staff on board spoke perfect English, and announcements were usually done in English before other languages. Any concerns I had about the language barrier were completely unfounded!

Welcome Onboard Talks

Separate “Welcome Onboard” talks were held for guests of different nationalities.

We went to the English one and found it very useful. The cruise director explained what would be happening each day – and how each area of the ship worked.

We visited 7 different ports during our 4-day cruise and as a result – the crew had to be extra organised!

Buffet Lunch

We decided to grab food from the buffet as we were really hungry at this point.

There was a good mix of Greek dishes, and other more standard buffet food – like burgers, salad and bread.

The buffet is open for a few hours around breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is closed completely between meal times.

The main dining room was also open for lunch. It served the same food as the buffet, but the food was served to you.

Another food option was the “Aura Grill” by the pool. This would serve things like Gyros or Omelettes. It was very popular with guests.

It wasn’t open all of the time. Its availability seemed to depend on whether or not we were cruising or docked during lunchtime.

Celestyal Cruises Include All Inclusive Drinks

We had a couple of drinks around the ship, and I actually took some time to sit down and read a book.

Celestyal are ‘All-Inclusive’ – which means that things like gratuities and drinks are included

There was a menu of included drinks and another of “Premium” drinks that you can have at an extra supplement.

There is plenty on the included list – so I didn’t feel the need to pay extra!

If you do like specific drinks or like to have a lot of variety it may be worth ordering drinks from the premium menu.

The drinks prices were pretty reasonable, and similar to that that you’d find in a pub or at a bar on land.

I was very impressed that you could order coffee, hot chocolate, and tea on the all-inclusive drinks menu.

On a lot of other cruise lines, this would cost extra.

Tendering to Mykonos

We picked up our Tender tickets for the evening’s stop in Mykonos.

Tender tickets are available on a “first-come-first-served” basis from a lounge onboard the ship.

If you are travelling as part of a group only one member needs to collect the tender ticket. Up to 6 tickets can be collected by one person.

We arrived in Mykonos at 6 pm and left after 11 pm. Excursions have priority disembarkation (as usual) and then the Tenders are filled by Tender ticket number.

I do get seasick but I am usually okay on Tenders. I think it’s the fresh air and the dramatic movements of the boat.

The tender to Mykonos only took about 5-10 minutes – so it wasn’t too much of an issue. That said – I wouldn’t want to be on the tender boat for much longer!

To learn more about what to expect when tendering check out this post:

Cruise Ship Tendering Tips 2019

An Evening in Mykonos

We arrived in Mykonos a little after 6 pm, just in time for the sunset.

The sunset was gorgeous and we walked around the town. I do wish that we had a little bit more time in daylight to explore – but I suppose that’s the price you pay for visiting seven ports in four days!

We got a little taste of every Island, but I’d love to return to Mykonos one day!

There were SO many cats in Mykonos. My travel insurance says I can’t stroke any stray animals, and I did manage to resist. ..

Main Dining Room Dinner

We headed back on board for dinner and went to the main dining room.

The food was really well cooked, there was a lot of variety on the menu and the portions were pretty big. I couldn’t fault anything with it at all.

It was the first proper meal I’d had in a few days so it went down very well!

Day 2 – Kusadasi & Patmos

Morning tour of kusadasi.

The morning excursion departed at 7.15 am. I don’t think I’ve ever been up so early on a cruise.

We met in a lounge on board and were given our coaches for the day based on the groups that we were in.

Our group included people from America, Australia, Finland, the Philippines, and more.

We were the only guests from the UK on our particular bus. The majority of other guests seemed to have booked their cruise through a travel group with a representative onboard.

In the morning I was in Asia, in the afternoon I was in Europe! It was amazing!

A Tour of Ephesus

Ephesus is an ancient Greek city. The building behind me in the photo above is a library that is 2000 years old!

I don’t know about you, but I find it so tricky to imagine 2000 years ago. Maybe this photo will be in a museum in 2000 years time with the caption ‘English girl visits Turkey, year: 2019’

Ephesus is an ancient Greek city, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. It was built around 100 BC and they started a restoration of the site in the 1970s.

Living on the site were SO many cats. I love cats and trying to resist stroking them was a bit of a struggle!

Rug Making Tour

Next, we went to a factory/shop that was making rugs. It was very cool to see how they do the weaving, but I didn’t buy a rug for a few reasons:

• 1) I could buy a cruise for the price or a decent rug.
• 2) My cat Hudson would definitely scratch the rug.
• 3) The big rugs are probably as big as the entire ground floor of my house!

On most cruise line excursions you’ll often end up visiting somewhere similar.

It’s a great way for the cruise line to provide free entertainment, and education to the guests. The factory gets the chance to sell some rugs to the passengers.

One lady in our tour did buy a rug – and I’m sure that more than paid for the free drinks that the factory provided.

I really enjoyed the morning’s tour, and it was great that it was included in the cruise price. It would easily cost £50+ each on one of the bigger cruise lines.

Main Dining Room Lunch

We headed to the main dining room for lunch and I had Fish and Chips. Fish and Chips aren’t very Turkish – but I did have some Turkish delight for dessert!

Around the Celestyal Olympia

We were all back on board by 12.30 pm and set sail at 1 pm.

I sat by the pool in the sunshine, had a few drinks, and listened to the live band.

The waiters and waitresses were so attentive, they offered a new drink as soon as I put down the last.

A number of waiters had already remembered what I liked to drink by this point – pretty impressive for day two of the cruise!

Visiting Patmos (or not)

I decided to skip our Patmos stop and stay on board to film a ship tour.

The cruise was so busy, I knew I wouldn’t have another opportunity to film the tour. 

I would say about 98% of the other guests had gone off on Tenders to Patmos. I was one of the few people on board, so it was very easy to film without having to avoid other passengers.

The ship itself is also pretty small so that makes filming far easier too ! Watch my video tour below:

Greek Barbecue on Deck

There was a Greek-Style Barbecue on the top deck for dinner that evening, so we decided to head there.

There were a number of big barbecues all cooking different types of meat. As well as this there were lots of salad options and lots of bread.

The bread onboard is freshly made and you definitely can tell! It’s probably some of the best bread I’ve had on a cruise – and trust me – I’ve tried a lot of cruise ship bread !

The Cost of This Cruise

I was really impressed with the amount included in the price of the cruise.

The four-night cruise cost around £500/$630

The price included unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, gratuities, and two excursions.

Day 3 – Rhodes

We docked for a full day in Rhodes and had an included excursion in the morning.

We were docked with 3 other ships – two were Azamara and one was Silversea

I can’t imagine how busy Rhodes is in peak season, as it was very busy even in late October!

We started our day with breakfast in the main dining room. I am not really a big breakfast fan, especially not before 7 am – So I just had some bread and a muffin.

Visiting Lindos

I’m pretty sure I was becoming an expert when it comes to piles of old Greek rocks! (very impressive and very old rocks it has to be said)

Our tour started at 7.30 am, and we did manage to beat the other tour buses to the Acropolis of Lindos – pictured below.

Visiting Rhodes Old Town

After our tour of Lindos, we went to the old town of Rhodes. We wandered through with our tour guide before making our own way back to the ship.

If you are visiting Rhodes make sure you bring comfortable shoes with decent grip. It’s very busy and slippery inside the walls of the old town.

Lunch & Afternoon Onboard Celestyal Olympia

We headed to the buffet for lunch and caught some sun on the top deck.

It was really nice to spend some time on the ship as it didn’t feel like we’d done much of that.

I did decide to buy a cookie from one of the bars onboard. I rarely buy the extras onboard but my bill only came to 5 euros – so clearly I didn’t go too crazy!

The cookie was great and was so worth the €1.75 I paid for it !

Dinner Onboard

We had dinner at the buffet. There wasn’t a huge variety of food as the buffet is quite small – but everything that there was tasty and hot.

There are quick self-serve drinks stations in the buffet which make it really easy to get a drink.

I couldn’t believe how healthily everyone was eating on this cruise!

I had a burger while the majority of other people had a big salad with maybe some potatoes or fish. The Mediterranean diet is traditionally a very healthy one!

Cocktails Included

During the evening I decided to sample a few of the cocktails.

There were plenty on the “included list” for me to try. I never needed to open the “Premium” drinks menu at all!

That said, I don’t really know much about alcohol and I’m not particularly fussy.

We went from bar to bar listening to live music around the ship.

The party really begins around 10 pm as dinner ends – but by this time I’m usually heading to bed. I’m not used to 6 am starts!

A Bath on a Cruise Ship?!

I had a bath on this cruise ship – which I really enjoyed. I was staying in a suite, I see why people get addicted to “The Suite Life!”

For some reason, our toilet had a toilet roll on either side. I’m not too sure why!

Day 4 – Crete and Santorini

An early start in crete.

We didn’t have an excursion booked for Crete, but still got up reasonably early as we were docked from 7 am to 11.30 am.

We skipped breakfast and headed out to explore.

Exploring Crete

I have been to Crete before, as I had a land-based holiday there a few years ago. I had one of the worst colds I’ve ever had in my life that week, so I couldn’t enjoy the holiday as much as I would have liked.

Our resort was in the middle of nowhere and I couldn’t find any medicine. I haven’t travelled without cold and flu tablets since, just in case!

It was nice to have the opportunity to revisit Crete when I was feeling better!

Bridge Tour of Celestyal Olympia

We were invited to tour the ship’s bridge – which was very interesting.

The captain said that he, and all the crew members, were very fond of the ship and cruising in this part of the world.

The sides of the bridge are actually outside – which I’d never seen before. I imagine it would be quite tricky to manoeuvre a ship when standing outside in the wind and rain.

I was assured that a lot of older cruise ships had bridges like this.

Celestyal Cruises Have an Amazing Crew

The crew on this ship were some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met on a cruise. Nothing is too much trouble for them.

It always amazes me the number of languages that the crew members speak. I’m pretty sure the Cruise Director was speaking about 8 languages!

On the ship, I heard a lot of French, Spanish, Turkish, Greek, Chinese, Portuguese – and of course English being spoken. There were lots of American, Australian, and British people on board.

We headed to the main dining room for lunch and I had a Vegetable stir fry followed by some fruit.

What a healthy meal, I hope you are impressed! I was trying to detox after all the free drinks the night before…

Celestyal Cruises Kept our Passports

On this cruise, Celestyal keeps the passports of the guests for the duration of the cruise. We where given them back on the last day.

We went as soon as the desk opened for collection and had to queue for 10 minutes. I didn’t think was too bad considering that 1500 passengers needed to collect their passports! It was all very organized.

Lots of cruises will keep your passports – the same happened to us in Asia – and it has happened to me on a European river cruise too. 

To learn more about why this happens, check out this post: 

Why Do Cruise Ships Keep Your Passport?

Visiting Santorini

We visited Santorini along with 4 other cruise ships. They were Celebrity Edge, a Holland America ship, one from Silversea, and one from Crystal.

You have to Tender into Santorini, and it can take a little time

We arrived at 4.30 pm and were on the first Tender. It was all very easy.

Taking The “Steps to Fira”

We decided to walk up to the top of Fira, which is around 600 steps.

It’s a long way and really quite a tough walk so don’t underestimate it! We managed to make it to the top with a lot of breaks.

Luckily, it was cooler by the time we did the walk, as it was late afternoon. I’m not sure I’d fancy doing it in the middle of the day!

There is also a cable car that goes to the top if you don’t want to walk.

Santorini Donkeys

From the moment that you walk onto the path, you’ll find lots and lots of men trying to sell you a ride to the top on a Donkey.

They were quite pushy – but I’d strongly recommend you don’t take the Donkey option.

The Donkeys make the journey all day long in the boiling heat, they have no water or shade and are all tied together.

It was honestly really upsetting to see, and I spend most of the journey saying “The Poor Donkeys.”

It was fully grown – often quite large – adults riding the Donkeys up the hill in Santorini. I thought this was really cruel.

We made it to the top just in time for the sun to go down.

My legs were literally shaking from the walk. I don’t think I’m particularly unfit – but I still struggled.

The path was covered in Donkey poo and it was quite slippery – so be careful if you do go!

Sunset in Santorini 

The sun did set as we reached the top which was wonderful.

Santorini is a very beautiful place, but it does get extremely busy!

As soon as we got back on board we headed to dinner.

I suspect that I still smelt of Donkey poo – but I really needed some food at this point!

It was another brilliant meal. I definitely could not fault the food on this cruise.

Celestyal Olympia – Mini Suite Cabin Tour

I stayed in a mini-suite which had a bath, which is quite unusual on a cruise ship.

I would never normally have a mini-suite, but it was wonderful to be able to soak my legs after that walk!

Are Celestyal Cruises Good?

I loved my cruise with Celestyal! We covered so much ground and saw so much in four days.

The food on board was great, as were the staff and the ship itself.

I was a little nervous before the cruise about cruising on a ship from 1982 but it clearly has been well looked after and loved.

Celestyal Olympia is in much better shape than a lot of younger ships I’ve cruised on.

Celestyal Cruises offer great value for money when you consider everything that is included in the cruise fare. They include gratuities, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, meals, and a couple of excursions too!

I would definitely recommend a Celestyal cruise to anybody who wants to explore a lot of Greece in a short period of time.

The cruise may not be suitable for those who aren’t good at early mornings, or those who wouldn’t like the limited time in ports.

Having said that, the destinations are well worth waking up early for!

Before You Go!

I stayed in another Mini suite on P&O’s Iona recently. It didn’t have a bath, but It was one of the most controversial cabins at sea! Find out where here:

I Booked the Most Controversial Cabin on a Cruise Ship – P&O’s Iona Conservatory Mini Suite

Another controversial cabin I have recently tried was the “Infinite Veranda” onboard Celebrity Edge. Unlike most balcony cabins, it has no private outside space! Find out more here:

I Stayed in an Infinite Veranda Cabin on Celebrity Edge (Full Review, Balcony, Bathroom and More)

If you are watching my videos and you’d like to book anything that you see, my friendly, knowledgeable partner travel agents can help!

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Review: Celestyal Journey

What is the line? Celestyal Cruises

Name of ship? Journey

Passenger Occupancy? 1,260

Itinerary? Starting and finishing in Athens, the seven-night “Idyllic Aegean” sailing stops at Thessaloniki, Kusadasi (Turkey), Heraklion (Crete), and the Greek islands of Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos.

Start out with the big picture–what is this cruise line known for?

If you’re looking for a company that knows its Greek islands and their accompanying cultural heritage inside and out, Celestyal is the cruise line for you. With immersive shore excursions and engaging onboard entertainment, the Greek cruise operator's mid-size ships are an intimate way to explore the Mediterranean.

Tell us about the ship in general:

The Journey is the third vessel in Celestyal's fleet, replacing the Crystal on the Idyllic Aegean route. The ship, previously named the Ryndam, was originally built for Holland America Line in 1994. Celestyal then purchased the vessel, which underwent a $21 million refurbishment in time for its maiden voyage in early September 2023.

Today, the ship boasts 630 staterooms, including 120 Junior Suites and 28 Grand Suites. There are seven specialty dining experiences including the private chef’s table, live cooking demonstrations, Asian cuisine at Pink Moon, juice and ice cream stations at Fig and Honey, fresh Mediterranean bites from Smoked Olive, and a Greek Deli. Eight bars and lounges, including a decadent champagne bar and indulgent wine cellar, round off the evening relaxation, while two pools (plus an entire deck dedicated to wellness) caters to daytime relaxation. Vintage 1920s decor is featured throughout the ship, with film star prints of Sophia Loren and the like, retro light fittings, and a grand central staircase.

Who is on board?

Celestyal caters to people of all ages traveling from a wide variety of countries, including the US, Eastern and Central Europe, Australia, and Argentina.

I found the cruise to be popular among groups of friends in their sixties and upwards, as well as mothers and daughters looking to spend quality time together. As a Greek company, Celestyal also attracts local families who are keen to explore their own backyard in an environment where they’re well catered.

Describe the cabins.

There are dozens of various suite categories on the Journey, spread across Decks 9 and 10. The Junior Dream Suites A, B, and C categories all have floor to ceiling sliding doors to their balconies and can sleep up to three people across twin beds and a sofa bed. At 226 square feet, my category B Junior Dream suite on Deck 9 was more than comfortable.

A more affordable option is to opt for the ship's exterior or interior staterooms, both at 204 square feet, which sleep up to 4 people in a mixture of upper, lower, and sofa beds. Exterior staterooms have portholes while the interior rooms have backlit curtains to mimic natural light. Both are perfect for solo travelers.

A step above these is the 377-square-foot Grand Dream Suite on Deck 10 with 2 lower beds, a double sofa bed, a panoramic window, balcony, a spacious bathroom, and a dressing room.

The pièce de résistance is the 947-square-foot Stargazer Exterior Penthouse Suite on Deck 10 with space for up to three guests. Both the Stargazer Suite and Grand Dreams’ have exclusive access to Rays, a secluded sunbathing and relaxation area—plus the Compass Lounge for private drinks.

Tell us about the crew.

The ship's 613 crew members took the time to greet every passenger by name and were always on-hand for any query. The Shore Excursion staff was particularly knowledgeable and helpful, making time to enquire about your interests and passions in order to recommend the best tour at each destination.

The Stargazer Suite and Grand Dreams have their own concierge on board, plus dedicated room stewards for a section of all other Dream Suites and Staterooms.

What food and drink options are available onboard?

For a mid-size ship, Journey has an impressive choice of dining and bar options, albeit no 24-hour room service. Its restaurants range from Mediterranean dining in the Thalassa restaurant to restaurants specifically reserved for those occupying suites; the Smoked Olive and Pink Moon. Both these restaurants offer the same menu choice as Thalassa, with additional options of Mediterranean bites at Smoked Olive and Asian cuisine at the Pink Moon.

A casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet is served on the upper deck at the Taverna. Guests can purchase regional ice creams at the Fig and Honey and Greek fast food such as souvlaki from the Greek Deli.

There’s an impressive seven bars on board, each with unique décor, though still keeping with the 1920s vibe. Choose from a quiet coffee bar, the Blue piano Bar and Lounge, or head to the Fizz Club if you’re a lover of cocktails and champagne. The Grapevine has an impressive selection of wine choices for the connoisseurs among you. The Compass is reserved for occupants of the Grand Dream and Stargazer Suites.

I personally loved finding a quiet hide away (which was never difficult) and sipping my signature cocktail as I watched the sea go by.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

The highlight of a cruise on the Journey is a visit to the Sozo Health Spa. Well-trained specialists treat you in one of seven treatment rooms, including a couple's room.

Choose from an impressive range of treatments such as an Ayurveda massage, regular full body massage, reflexology, or Shiatsu. Hot stone massages and Dead Sea exfoliation round up some of the other unique pampering options—just be sure to book in advance.

What about activities and entertainment?

There’s an impressive number of activities to choose from on board the Journey, ranging from Greek dance classes, mini lectures about a variety of regional specialties (for example, the health benefits of Greek herbs), an olive oil presentation, and basic Greek language classes.

Sports enthusiasts will love the morning yoga or Pilates classes (extra charge), and from 8 p.m. the evening entertainment starts to heat up. As well as the aforementioned bars featuring piano or live music, there’s mini-discos for young kids up to 12 years old, seventies-themed parties, and various adult discos.

Yet it’s the twice-nightly performance by resident Canadian artists Cirque Fantastic that takes the cake. Their impressive acrobatic show is typically scheduled for 9 p.m. then repeated at 10:30 p.m. in the ship's awe-inspiring auditorium.

How was the experience for families?

The Journey offers onboard activities for children and teens of all ages. While there's no water slides or go-karting track, Deck 12 is reserved for kids 5 to 12 years old. The Turtle Cave club offers artistic and educational games while the Shark club shows English cartoons and television shows. Kids under the age of three must be accompanied by an adult—currently, no babysitting is offered on board.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did any stand out?

On the Journey's first stop in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, I took an immersive tour that left me yearning to return. An excursion to the Ancient city of Ephesus from the Turkish port of Kusadasi and the Palace of Knossos in Crete are two sites worth reserving a tours of. I opted to explore Santorini and Mykonos on my own, taking in the beautiful views (of the former) and lively shops and nightlife (of the latter).

I'd also recommend booking the group tour of the smaller island of Milos, as it's less suited for solo exploration. Visit Sarakiniko beach, a famed moonscape of pure white stone, the ancient village of Plaka, and the Christian catacombs.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Celestyal as a company works closely with the local Greek community as part of their ethical business practices. For example, the company helps bring interactive exhibits from the Heraklion Museum in Athens to more remote areas of the Greek islands.

Anything we missed?

When eating in the Taverna buffet, you can't help but notice the impressive melon carvings—some of faces, others of various nature or sea scenes. There’s also the occasional ice sculpture in the dessert section. These are created by the onboard sculptor whose creates beautiful sculptures from various materials, a skill passed down through family generations. Check the daily itinerary, left in your room nightly, to watch the art come to life.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

Families and groups of friends will love this culturally immersive cruise with world-class wellness offerings.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Incredible Aegean Cruise in the Greek Islands (Plus Honest Celestyal Cruises Review)

Posted on Published: June 7, 2023  - Last updated: September 19, 2023

It’s a bucket-list worthy adventure, cruising the Greek islands and the Aegean Sea! The vivid blue waters are met with unique flair that each destination has to offer. Whether you’re dreaming of visiting the blue domes in Santorini, amazing beaches in Milos or food scene in Crete, this Celestyal Cruises review of the Idyllic Aegean will help guide your next vacation!

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my  disclosures .

Going on an Aegean cruise is a magical experience. Sounds cheesy, I know. But just think about those sparkling blue waters of the Aegean Sea, mixed with picturesque villages on the islands of Greece, plus adventures at every port.

If you’re considering an Aegean Sea cruise, or are wondering about Celestyal Cruises reviews, this is the guide for you!

Aegean Sea cruises can vary greatly. The size of the ships, which islands you visit and even which countries you’ll visit as part of your cruise. So many things to consider!

Aegean Cruise with Celestyal Cruises

First, let’s go over reasons you’d go on an Aegean cruise, then review what you can expect with Celestyal Cruises Greece.

In this guide you can expect:

🛳️Why and when to cruise the Aegean Sea 💲Pricing and how to make it budget-friendly 🏝️Aegean cruise itinerary 🇬🇷Celestyal Cruises review – ship experience ⚓️Greek island cruise (summary of each destination) ‼️Tips for first time cruisers 🧳What to pack for cruising Greek islands

This fabulous vacation is an amazing way to explore Greece and potentially the surrounding area. Let’s  get to some of the most commonly asked questions that will help you decide!

Why cruise the Aegean Sea?

Two words: it’s fabulous! 

In all honesty, taking an Aegean Sea cruise is the perfect way to get into cruising if you’ve never been. It’s also one of the best ways to explore the Greek islands!

You’ll get a taste of many destinations in Greece. If you’ve never been to Greece, this is one of the best ways to experience the islands. Check them each out for a day and see which is your favorite!

Santorini or Mykonos , Rhodes and Crete, Milos or Patmos – the list goes on! 

An Aegean Sea cruise will sometimes drop down south further into the Mediterranean Sea as well, making stops in Egypt, Cyprus and Israel. There’s truly so many options!

And as a bonus – every destination in the Aegean Sea is totally unique! It’s not like taking a Caribbean Cruise where so many islands look the same. Instead, you’ll get tons of personality with each destination you visit.

Aegean Sea map (Celestyal Cruises review itinerary)

If you’re still wondering where the Aegean Sea is exactly, here’s a map for a visual. It’s basically the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea between Greece and Türkiye (Turkey). Here were the stops on my cruise – more about the itinerary in a bit!

Use this Aegean Sea map to reference the destination details below.

When do cruises go to the Aegean Sea?

You can take an Aegean Sea cruise year-round. However, not all the destinations will be fully open and operational. The Greek islands are very seasonal, so even if the cruise company makes a stop, you may not be able to dine or shop at very many places.

The best time to do an Aegean Sea cruise is in the summertime. June through September offer the best months for weather. Plus you’ll see each destination completely open to tourism where the attractions, restaurants and activities are available to enjoy.

If you’re looking to avoid crowds during your Aegean cruise, I’d recommend cruising in May or September during the shoulder season. As a bonus – prices are typically better during these months, too.

Some companies do not operate during the winter. Celestyal Cruises offers slightly different stops in the wintertime. A popular option is the 3-continent cruise: Europe, Asia and Africa.

When to book an Aegean cruise with Celestyal Cruises Greece

Consider the time of year when you want to cruise. But basically you’ll want to book as far in advance as possible for the best pricing and room options. 

If you’re particular about which Greek islands to see or the room type you want during your Aegean Sea cruise, you’ll want to book the season before. If you’re less particular about the room type because you’re all about seeing sunshine in the summer, you could probably book in the springtime and be ok!

What does an Aegean Sea cruise cost?

This question is tricky to answer! There’s so many options from 4 days to 14 days – or longer! The room type and overall package options play a role, too.

I’ve seen some 4-night cruises for less than $500, which just seems like a spectacular deal based on the places you’ll go for that much. Celestyal Cruises offers great value for the money, considering you’re seeing the Greek islands, dining on board and have built-in accommodations.

Cruising Greek islands: standard pricing should include:

• Port charges
• Basic dining package
• On-board entertainment and activities

Sailing Aegean Sea: add-on pricing:

• Premium drinks package
• Wifi options
• Specialty dining options

Also check into the price of excursions and if gratuities are included, as these things can really add up! Later in the Celestyal Cruises review you’ll see their cruises all include gratuities , which is so nice!

If you’re cruising on a budget, consider reducing the number of nights, keeping excursions to a minimum or avoiding the premium food and drink options to keep pricing low.

What kind of excursions are on an Aegean sea cruise?

The possibilities truly seem endless! When sailing the Aegean Sea, it really depends where you go, which will determine which activities are available via excursion.

You’ll find food tours, archeological sites and other historical landmarks, religious sites and so much more to see during excursions! The Greek islands and nearby regions are pretty phenomenal to visit!

I’ll review the excursions I took with Celestyal Cruises in a bit. 🙂

Celestyal Cruises Review

First thing’s first, Celestyal Cruises is the only Greek cruise company. Other companies may come to Greece but it’s not the same authenticity. So in other words, if you’re considering the best cruise Greek islands, it’s a smart choice.

Cruise Greek islands highlights

There are too many individual moments to list in this guide. However, here were some of the best and unexpected highlights….

😳Stunning views from the balcony 🇬🇷Bucket-list destinations 😋Award-winning dining options 🌍Destinations I wouldn’t necessarily have chosen independently

And these are the details for the route I chose:

Idyllic Aegean, Celestyal Cruises

• Departure Port: Athens (Piraeus)

Celestyal Cruises is considered a medium sized cruise company. This means they carry around 1000 people, and are nimble enough to squeeze into smaller ports (like Milos). The Idyllic Aegean cruise was the perfect mix of culture, popular spots and lesser-known gems.

The cruise company felt really authentic and the staff and service was outstanding! More on that in a bit. 🙂 

Aegean Cruise itinerary

To say cruising the Greek islands with Celestyal Cruises was amazing is an extreme understatement!

Here’s the route and itinerary of the Celestyal Cruise Idyllic Aegean Sea:

• Athens (departure city)
• Thessaloniki
• Kusadasi (Türkiye/Turkey)

Each day is a new port and a new adventure! On this Celestyal Cruises review, it’s important to emphasize that one of the best things about choosing this company is the emphasis on the destination. 

Of course there’s plenty of on-board entertainment and amenities. But they really focus on the ports! With 10-12 hours or more at most destinations, you can really see a lot in that amount of time.

Celestyal Cruises reviews: ship experience

Not having ever been on a cruise before, I really didn’t know what to expect. But honestly, it was everything it needed to be and a really great time on board the ship!

Keeping in mind that Celestyal Cruises is a medium cruise company and their emphasis is on the itinerary and destinations, there are some things that really mattered. After all, you’re spending every night on the ship!

Celestyal Cruises staterooms (important while cruise Aegean Sea)

The cabins on board are comfortable and adequate. There’s obviously several stateroom options for your budget, too. I cruised in a junior suite, which included a balcony. And if you can swing it, I’d highly recommend!

Having a room with a balcony allows you to wake up and see the open ocean or port you’ve arrived in or check the weather outside without having to fully leave your room. You can also see sunrises or sunsets from the comfort of your room, or your robe on your balcony!

The junior balcony suites are a bit larger offering more room to spread out as well. 

There’s staterooms with windows and interior staterooms without windows as well. It all depends on your preference and budget which is the right room type for you.

Staterooms on the ship come with turndown service, offering a late night snack and the next day’s activities and itinerary, which is super helpful.

Since this is an honest Celestyal Cruises review, I’ll say the only thing that was lacking in the room was the size of the shower. It was really tight but manageable.

Restaurants on the ship

On a ship this size, you don’t actually need a ton of restaurant options, especially if you consider that you’ll be at port for most days. However, when you do eat on the ship just know there’s enough variety in meal choices.

The buffet is an easy choice for a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can find snacking menus throughout the ship, offering just a handful of items like burgers, pizzas or sandwiches.

Fun fact: there can be as many as 140 nationalities on board a Celestyal Cruises ship at any given time, so they really do a great job of catering to a lot of cuisines, with Greek being in the forefront, of course!

Pro tip: if you want the classic restaurant experience, go early when they open (closer to 6:00pm or 6:30pm) or late after the dinner crowd (8:30pm or 9:00pm) to avoid the dinner rush. 

Of course you could always grab a cocktail at the bar while you wait as well!

The main restaurant and buffet do change their menu daily, which offers variety during the week considering there’s only a few restaurant options. Also consider eating at port the days when the ship leaves late.

My Greek Table – Celestyal Cruise review of the special dinner on board

If it’s available during your cruise and not sold out, I’d highly recommend the “My Greek Table” dining experience. With 6 delightful Greek foods plus an intermezzo, you’ll want to come hungry!

Our menu consisted of:

• Appetizer with 3 homemade dips: Syros maintanosalata, roasted tomato kopanisti and smoked eggplant caviar
• First course: Cretan Octopus carpaccio
• Second course: Aegean fisherman’s saffron avgolemono
• Third course: escallop of Aegean lobster, saffron jeweled pilafi
• Intermezzo: pappardelle of zucchini, marinated tomatoes and mint
• Fourth course: Kalogeros Terrine
• Fifth course: arugula, red onion, baked olives, grilled manure and pastell crumble
• Sixth course: Greek village cheese platter or floating Greek island in a wine-dark sea dessert

Oh my goodness don’t expect to eat it all. But you’ll really get a great taste of Greece during this authentic and spectacular dining experience!

Celestyal Cruises review: ship amenities and entertainment

Maybe by now you’re asking what you’ll do when you’re not at port and not sleeping. Well, there’s a pool and hot tub, which can be used at your leisure . The onboard spa services are a great way to get a little self care in while on the boat as well!

Once you’re on board the ship, sign up for a spa service before it’s booked up. From facials to massages, hot stone treatments to mud wraps, there’s a bit of everything!

Celestyal Cruises does a good job with providing other daily activities , like cooking demonstrations, wine and cheese tastings, ping pong tournament and much more. The ship can be a really peaceful experience to take a break and rest during a long day at port, too. Grab a book and sun on a deck, or people watch from the ship!

The nightly entertainment is also a hit when you’ve had dinner but you’re just not ready for sleep yet. There are typically two shows a night, an earlier performance and a later one. But if you want a great seat get there early because the lounge fills up fast since it’s such a popular spot!

You can also spend time in the casino, business center, fitness center or one of the other bars as well.

Service on board (honest Greek island cruise review)

One of the areas Celestyal Cruises excels is in their service. Every single service member and encounter exceeded my expectations. From the tour desk to the restaurant host, bartenders and tour guides, everything was truly fabulous.

It’s amazing how in just a week time the crew learned our names. We even hugged as we left the ship!

The Celestyal Cruises crew were so kind and authentic. Day in and day out, you really can appreciate the hard work they put in to make the experience so memorable!

Best cruise Greek islands: Celestyal Cruises Idyllic Aegean itinerary

Alright let’s get to the itinerary already! There arso many factors to consider when deciding if an Aegean cruise is right for you, and we’ve reviewed a whole lot of them. 

But one of the most fun parts of planning your trip is finding out more about each destination along the way! Let’s dive into what ports are included on the Idyllic Aegean Sea cruise , and what you can expect at each stop.

While it is possible to board the ship from other ports, most people embark and disembark in Athens. Being the largest city in Greece, there are multiple cruise ports. The Celestyal Cruises uses the Piraeus port.

Boarding the ship is easy! Once you’re on board, you can enjoy lunch or dinner and check out the amenities of the ship. This is a great chance to unpack your things too – one of the benefits of cruising is not having to move your stuff the whole week!

If you happen to embark at another location, Celestyal Cruises offers several 1/2 day tours within Athens. See the Acropolis and Parthenon , the Acropolis Museum, take a food tour, and so much more!

Athens is a great city and you can truly spend a lot of time there, soaking up the sights. It’s easy to fill 2 days in Athens , or even more. But if you’re cruising, the day at port is just enough time to just get a taste of Athens before boarding the ship again!

Thessaloniki (your first stop on your Celestyal Cruises Greece trip)

Pronunciation: theh-suh-low-nee-kee

Thessaloniki is the 2nd largest city in Greece. Located in Northern Greece, and being from the US, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect in this city. It’s not a region I was familiar with prior to planning this trip to Greece.

Thessaloniki is a fun port city built right on the water. Most everything you’ll want to see in a day is within walking distance of the port. 

Celestyal Cruises offers 1/2 day tours within the region. Learn about the impact Alexander the Great had on the city, visit a Greek winery, go on a food tour or see the city’s highlights.

My husband and I chose to walk the city and experience the local flair on our own. Some 20,000 steps later, I can say we saw a lot of the city!

Thessaloniki highlights:

• Climbing White Tower – the city’s iconic landmark near the sea.
• Museum of Byzantine Culture for incredible history and artifacts.
• Walking through the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, nestled in the heart of town.
• Seeing the Alexander the Great Statue and learning about his history in Thessaloniki.

One of the most fun things I witnessed in Thessaloniki was the way they built the city around the ancient ruins. You’d be walking down a street between buildings and all of a sudden it opens up to an ancient ruin thousands of years old. Reminds me of a perfect Rome itinerary where you have the right mix of history, food and culture in a city. So cool.

Kusadasi, Türkiye (an Aegean cruise delight)

Pronunciation: KOOSH-ah-dah-suh

On this Celestyal Cruises review, this was the only spot that my cruise went that was not in Greece. It honestly wasn’t on my travel bucket list , but I’m so glad I experienced it!

Kusadasi is a port city in Türkiye (Turkey), home to amazing culture, food and history. The shining star of the region is Ephesus, part of the Izmir province and just 45 minutes drive from the port. It’s actually the most well-preserved ancient city in the country.

Kusadasi is the shortest stop on the Idyllic Aegean cruise (6 hours), so my husband and I enjoyed a tour through Celestyal Cruises for this port city. Our tour focused on the ancient city of Ephesus . 

We also visited the House of the Virgin Mary, which the Vatican recognizes as a holy place where Mary spent her final years.

Bonus: if you’re taking a cruise with your family, Kusadasi is home to amazing water parks, and you can take an excursion through Celestyal Cruises during the summer months to the water parks.

Visiting Ancient Ephesus (one of the surprise activities while sailing Aegean Sea)

This ancient city is incredible! It’s home to so many structures. Ephesus is not as well kept as Parthenon in Athens, for example, but it’s still a work in progress! When you first walk through there’s quite a bit of columns and piles of ruins. It’s hard to tell what most of it was, except for the signage and tour guide.

As you go in further you can see more structures and detail. The most impressive part of Ephesus is the library . It was the 3rd largest library in the world at the time it was built, with approximately 12,000 books (scrolls).

The city of Ephesus was approximately 240,000 people and an estimated 80% of it is still uncovered. 🤯

It’s truly amazing much of today’s world began in ancient times. The symbol for medicine – carved here. The Goddess Nike herself has a statue here as well.

The theatre is one of the most well preserved landmarks in Ephesus, with reconstruction, of course. It’s actually kept in relatively good shape, and some classic musicians like Elton John and Sting have played concerts there. The theatre holds 24,000 people. They open it up just once a year for concerts to the public.

Buying Turkish rugs

One of the stops on the tour was to see the culturally significant Turkish rugs. A timeless tradition in Turkey, and one they’re really proud of. 

Our tour learned how they use the cocoon to grab silk and create thread. They get up to 1 mile of silk per cocoon! We saw the process of weaving the rugs using the loom, and stunning creations created in this small Turkish town.

During the tour, they serve you Turkish wine (white and red) and Raki, which is the official drink in Turkey . It tastes like ouzo or black licorice, so wasn’t my personal favorite!😜

By the way, Turkish rugs can be several varieties of fabric including wool, cashmere and silk. Because you’re paying a salary for a weaver (or multiple), they can be quite pricey. Consider adding this to your vacation budget when visiting Kusadasi!

Crete, Greece (one of my favorite stops on an Aegean cruise)

Fun fact: Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the 5th largest in the Mediterranean Sea. So although this is an Aegean Sea cruise, you’re technically dipping down into the Mediterranean Sea for a day!

With 11 hours at port, you’ll have a lot of time to explore. The Idyllic Aegean cruise arrives at the Heraklion port, in the north-central part of the island. 

Compared to the Cyclades, which are the other island stops on this itinerary, this island has a much different personality. An organized tour through Celestyal Cruises can take you through ancient ruins, a lifestyle experience where you’ll see the countryside and dancing, through a walking food tour and more.

My husband and I rented a car and road-tripped through the island. Visiting the most underrated beaches on the southern side of Crete, it’s such a picturesque place!

The island is so large, you’ll see huge mountains which get snow during the winter, and stunning beaches all on the same landscape! The island is home to olive groves and open land where you’ll see far more sheep than people!

Crete, Greece is such an interesting island. You’ll definitely want to explore it while on your cruise!

Santorini (a classic destination on this Celestyal Cruises review guide)

It’s the most popular Greek island by far, and on a travel bucket list for so many people! Santorini was the mid-way point on our Aegean Sea cruise, and one island we won’t soon forget!

A few things you should know about visiting Santorini:

• It’s super busy . Get off the boat early to maximize your time before the crowds really set in. And expect lots of people, especially in the high season (June-August).
• Santorini is actually on a caldera. The island is on a giant rock, and you’ll need to go up that rock to see anything.
• Your Aegean cruise will use tender boats to get you from the cruise ship to the island . There’s no actual port, so the ship is just docked at sea and you’re transferred on smaller boats.
• It’s the 2nd most expensive Greek island. Expect to pay more for food and cocktails when you’re on the island.

Once you’re on the island, the town of Oia (pronounced ee-uh) is the most popular spot. It’s where you’ll find the blue dome churches and excellent sunset views.

Oia is also where the crowds are so thick you can barely walk through the narrow streets. Just prepare yourself!

Celestyal Cruises offers several tour excursions, most of them including Oia. You could also do a wine tour or visit ancient ruins. There’s seriously so much history in Greece it’s incredible!

Santorini highlights:

• Picturesque blue domed churches in Oia.
• Village of Imerovigli for less crowds and great views.
• Shopping in Fira, the gateway to and from the island for cruise ships.
• Sunsets in Imerovigli or Oia. Just be sure to make dinner or cocktail reservations for the best views.

Pro tip: plan to spend the day on the island. Most cruises wrap up early afternoon, and the line to get on the gondola to back to the boat can be hundreds of people deep. Alternatively, you can walk the 600+ steps down to the tender boats from Fira.

Pro tip #2: plan to pay for toilet tissue at public restrooms, or bring your own along with you. Most restaurants are free of course.

The overnight path from Santorini to your next stop is so brief, you can soak in the nightlife in Santorini considering the ship doesn’t leave until after midnight! One of these Santorini beach bars would be perfect for the evening.

Since this is an honest Celestyal Cruises review, I’ll say that Santorini was my least favorite stop. I’m certainly glad I saw this iconic island, but it was far too touristy for me (and I didn’t even go during peak season!) I’m glad I went but likely won’t plan to go back to Santorini.

Known as the party island, Mykonos has a personality bigger than life! One of the most picturesque islands due to the white streets, village alleyways and colorful shops, Mykonos is a fun island to visit.

Mykonos is the 2nd most popular island in Greece, and the most expensive island.

Celestyal Cruises Greece offers a few excursion options in Mykonos, the most popular being a 1/2 day trip to Delos , which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Delos is one of the most important archeological sites in Greece, only behind the Parthenon and Mount Olympia.

My husband and I had visited many other archeological sites in Greece, so we opted for the Mykonian countryside tour with Chora and Little Venice with Celestyal Cruises. Off the beaten path, we visited the small town of Ano Mera Village then the popular Windmills of Mykonos as well as some other popular spots.

Mykonos highlights:

• Walking the pedestrian-only streets in Mykonos Town.
• Seeing Little Venice and the Windmills of Mykonos.
• Beach hopping to Kalafati and Paradise Beach.

Fun fact: this review of Celestyal Cruises lists yet another reason why it’s such a great option for cruising the Greek islands. The mid-sized ship is able to dock at the port, instead of utilizing tender boats like many of the mega sized cruise ships. This makes it more convenient to go back and forth from the boat to the town as needed.

You can have another late night in Mykonos if you desire. The trip from Mykonos to Milos isn’t very long, so the boat leaves really late at night and you can visit the bars and restaurants into the night hours.

Milos (a gem while cruising Aegean Sea)

One of the most underrated Greek islands is Milos! The island doesn’t have the capacity to disembark the volume of passengers from large cruise ships, so visiting Milos during your Celestyal Cruises Greece truly feels like a secret.

This island has a natural feel, and is way more laid back than the previous 2 days in Mykonos and Santorini. It’s a fresh break if you don’t love crowded places!

On Milos, I highly recommend you either rent a car for the day or take a tour from Celestyal Cruises. The island itself isn’t as walkable as Mykonos and doesn’t have the public transportation structure of Santorini.

Organized tours through Celestyal Cruises include visiting beaches, historical or religious tours. My husband and I rented a car and explored the beaches on the island – and actually ran into a tour bus from the ship!

Having visited beaches all over the world like the best beaches in Thailand , Flamenco Beach in Culebra Puerto Rico , the beaches of Manuel Antonio Costa Rica and so many more, I can honestly say Milos had way better beaches than Santorini or Mykonos, in my opinion.

Milos highlights:

• Exploring the beaches and tunnels at Sarakiniko.
• Hiking to the Plaka Castle and seeing the incredible panoramic views.
• Plathiena Beach, which was a ghost town before the summer crowds set in.
• Tsigrado & Fyriplaka Beaches on the south side of Milos.

You’ll definitely want to visit Sarakiniko, aka Moon Beach. With over 70 beaches on the island, this is the most popular. The white rock formations from volcanic ash create the most stunning coastline. In contrast to the bright blue waters of Greece, it’s truly stunning!

You’ll want water shoes on this day, as it’s much easier to walk around Sarakiniko with these grippy shoes , and it will protect your feet from rocks and shells on some of the other beaches.

Milos is one of the best stops on your Aegean cruise for beaches, and one of the best Greek islands for couples !

Celestyal Cruises review: back to Athens

That wraps up the 7 nights on the Idyllic Aegan cruise with Celestyal Cruises! There’s truly so much variety during a cruise Greek islands. Each destination was unique, interesting and worthy of a stop!

Whether you’re dreaming of the iconic photos of Santorini, looking for some culture in Kusadasi or beach-hopping in Milos, there’s truly something for everyone!

And the extra bonus is that by selecting excursions through Celestyal Cruises that pique your interest, each cruise will have a customized experience to your personal preferences.

With such major airport in Athens, cruising with Celestyal Cruises is really accessible, too. If you’re coming in and departing from Athens, be sure to spend at least 2 days in Athens exploring all the most popular sights!

Let’s cover a few more tips before wrapping up this guide.

Tips for first time cruisers

If this is your first cruise – congratulations for taking the leap! There’s no right or wrong way to travel – and cruising is a fun option to see new destinations.

You’ll wake up each morning in (or on the way to a new place), and only have to pack up once. So convenient! Here are a few tips to make the most of your experience.

• Book your excursion early. After you get settled on the boat, go to the tour desk and sign up for your excursion, if you don’t do it prior to boarding. Depending on season and popularity, you may have to choose your #2 choice as well.
• If you’ve ever had motion sickness, prepare yourself adequately. Over the counter medicines can be helpful. I absolutely loved my motion sickness bracelet . I get really bad motion sickness and this helped most of the trip. Just two nights I had to layer Dramamine on top because the sea was especially rocky.
• Be sure to plan your day to be back at the port early. Celestyal Cruises allows passengers to board up to 30 minutes before they depart. You certainly don’t want to push your luck there!
• Take advantage of laundry service on the boat. Don’t worry about packing 7 full outfits if you don’t want to. Laundry service is quick and relatively inexpensive.
• Carry cash with you. Although most places take credit cards, there were some restaurants and shops that only accepted euro.

Things to pack for a Greek island cruise

Depending on the time of year you take your cruise, your packing list will vary. But these essentials should come with you on your cruise!

• Sun hat. Protect yourself from the sun whether you’re walking the streets of Mykonos or lounging on a beach in Crete.
• Sunscreen. You’re going to need it in Greece! Anytime you’re in or near the ocean, be sure to use mineral sunscreen to protect marine life. Chemicals in traditional sunblocks kill the reefs and the marine life that relies on it.
• Water shoes. Not all Greek beaches are created equal and most of them are rocky, not soft sand. This is my favorite pair of water shoes that literally travels the world with me and they’re great for light hikes, too!
• Comfortable walking shoes. Cobblestone streets and thin sandals are not a good combination. I loved these simple white shoes – and bonus, they washed up easily after walking through rain puddles in Milos.
• Umbrella. Carry a mini one with you if the weather calls for rain.
• Power bank and cord . One of the great things about long days at port is that you’ll get to see a lot! But plan for your phone battery to need a recharge.
• GoPro. Take excellent underwater photos and videos! Plus, it’s great for smooth videos as you’re walking. You can see me carrying my GoPro in the photo in Kusadasi, above.
• Comfortable shoulder bag. It’s popular in Greece for men and women to carry a shoulder bag for money and other essentials. This is the bag I carried everywhere around Greece!
• Cash. As previously stated, not every business accepts credit cards. Have cash on hand just in case.
• US-Europe adapter plug. If you’re from the US, you’ll definitely need this. 🙂

During summer you’ll want a swimming suit and over winter you’ll want extra layers. Check the weather before you go and try not to overpack!

Celestyal Cruises review of the Aegean Cruise – that’s a wrap!

Well, are you so ready to book a tour? After reviewing why Aegean cruises are amazing and details around a Celestyal Cruise, is it clear yet it’s time to book?

There’s so many itinerary options with Celestyal Cruises. Honestly, I was looking at the 4-night cruise, but I’m so glad I went on the 7-night Idyllic Aegean cruise.

I personally think visiting multiple islands in a day isn’t enough – it would leave me begging for more! With a 7 day cruise you really get to see and experience a lot. Go at your own pace and get back to the ship earlier if you please!

Questions about the cruise? Drop them in the comments below!

Related content to read next: Mykonos vs Santorini: Which is the PERFECT Greek Island for You? 29 Best Greek Islands for Couples You’ll Love (Romance, Beaches, Adventure + More) AMAZING 2 Days in Athens Itinerary You’ll Love (+ Map & Tips for First Timers)

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Thank you to Celestyal Cruises for hosting me! As always, all opinions are my own.

Tuesday 8th of August 2023

Hi Nikki, I'm going on this cruise in few weeks so this is super helpful! I have few questions: 1. For the “My Greek Table” dining experience, can I book this before the cruise or has to be when we're already on the ship? 2. Is the "Water Package" really worth it? Thanks for all this amazing information. I feel so ready now ;-) Best!

Thursday 10th of August 2023

Oh yay! I'm so glad you found this helpful. For the Greek Table experience - I wasn't able to book it in advance (you can check for your dates online) but there was plenty of availability the first day on the ship. I will caveat that with I boarded in Athens, which has the most people transitioning, so if you're boarding between Athens and the night they hold the tasting, it may be more booked up. Just make sure after you find your room to head to the reception to book it! I'm not really sure what you mean by water package? I'm not familiar with the term. Could you expand and I can provide info if I can!

Tuesday 13th of June 2023

I've never thought about doing an Aegean cruise but it actually looks ideal. There is so much to see on the Greek islands and western Türkiye (I agree that Ephesus is incredible!) and a cruise would make that easy.

Thursday 15th of June 2023

Yes yes yes Melanie! It's such a great way to explore the region!

This cruise looks amazing. I like the smaller size of the ship. I would also be interested in cruises that touch down to Egypt and Israel.

Oh you'd love it then, Rhonda! Sounds like an Aegean cruise with Celestyal Cruises might be in your future! 💙

Sunday 11th of June 2023

I have never been on a cruise and would love to experience it at least once. The Aegean cruise sounds like a great idea. Since I would like to explore the Greek islands, it might be a good idea to tick two things simultaneously!

Monday 12th of June 2023

Yesss Mayi! Time to book that trip to check them off.✅ Such an incredible experience.

I have yet to go on my first cruise, somehow I have been a bit prejudiced that you are "stuck" on a ship! Obviously, that is not the case - this looks awesome!

Oh yes Hege! You'd love it. I think it really depends on the cruise too. I definitely didn't feel stuck!! Maybe a Greek island cruise with Celestyal is on your horizon soon 💙

• CruiseMapper

Celestyal Journey cabins and suites

Celestyal journey staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Celestyal Journey cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Celestyal Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Celestyal Journey cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Stargazer Suite|Penthouse with Terrace

Layout (floor plan).

The Penthouse Suite has a private step-out balcony (4-seat dining table, 2 sun loungers, 1 low table), large bathroom (whirlpool bathtub, premium bath products, bathrobes, slippers), walk-in closet (wardrobe with dressing area), iPod (docking station, fully-loaded music player), separate dining room (8-seat table), bedroom (fixed double bed), living room (double sofabed for 3rd-4th passenger), pantry, powder room (guest bath).

Penthouse Suite perks (bonus amenities) include priority services (embarkation-disembarkation-tendering-dining reservations-spa reservations-shore tours booking), pillow menu (concierge service, 6 pillow types), complimentary services and amenities (laundry, shoeshine, bottled water, fresh fruits bowl), room service / in-cabin dining (breakfast, afternoon tea), CD-DVD player, coffee machine, exclusive (invitation to Captain's cocktail party, welcome letter from the ship's Hotel Director, canapes on cocktail evenings).

Grand Dream Suite with Balcony

Balcony Suites have a private step-out balcony (4-seat dining table, 2 sun loungers, 1 low table), large bathroom (whirlpool bathtub, premium bath products, bathrobes, slippers), walk-in closet (wardrobe with dressing area), iPod (docking station, fully-loaded music player), bedroom (twin beds convertible to a double bed), living room (double sofabed for 3rd-4th passenger).

Balcony Suite perks (bonus amenities) include priority services (embarkation-disembarkation-tendering-dining reservations-spa reservations-shore tours booking), pillow menu (concierge service, 6 pillow types), complimentary services and amenities (laundry, shoeshine, bottled water, fresh fruits bowl), room service / in-cabin dining (breakfast, afternoon tea), CD-DVD player, coffee machine, exclusive (invitation to Captain's cocktail party, welcome letter from the ship's Hotel Director, canapes on cocktail evenings).

Junior Dream Suite with Balcony

All balcony cabins are with single twin beds (convertible to a double bed / Queen-size) plus single sofabed (for 3rd passenger).

Oceanview Cabin

Twin cabins are with lower single beds convertible to a double bed (Queen-size). Quad cabins are with two lower beds plus two upper beds (bunks). Some quads have sofa bunk beds. Some double cabins are with one lower bed plus one upper bed (bunk). Some cabins are with porthole windows or with partially obstructed (by lifeboats) views.

Interior Cabin

Interior cabins are with double-occupancy (single twin beds convertible to a double bed / Queen-size) or quads (two lower fixed beds plus two upper beds / bunks). Some quads have sofa bunk beds.

Celestyal Journey cabins review

Of all Pacific Aria/Celestyal Journey cabins, 24% have step-out balconies. Cabins for disabled passengers (wheelchair-accessible staterooms) are of the following types (location - grade/numbers): Oceanview (deck 4 - rooms #4010-4014, #4015; #4227-4231; deck 5 - rooms #4011-5006-5007, #5091; deck 6 - rooms #6182-6183) and Inside (deck 5 - room #5002). The number of all cabin categories is 13.

Follows the review of Celestyal Journey staterooms as furniture, amenities and included (complimentary) services.

All cabins have hotel twin beds (lower beds/convertible to king). Also available are single rollaway beds. Some staterooms can accommodate cot beds for kids. Rollaway beds and cots are subject to availability and available in selected staterooms.

Each passenger stateroom has an en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, glass-door shower, mirrored single-sink vanity), entertainment center (HDTV, DVD player, radio-alarm clock), electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, ample wardrobe space, fridge/minibar, mirrored vanity table with chair, sitting area (single sofabed).

Suites are with larger and luxury bathrooms (full-size whirlpool bathtubs, separate shower, dual sinks), spacious wardrobe (walk-in), separate living room (sofabed) and dining room (8-seat table), pantry, dressing room, guest bathroom (half bath/toilet+washbasin).

All Suites and balcony cabins are with floor-ceiling sliding doors opening to a private step-out veranda (furnished with a table and two deckchairs/recliners).

Oceanview cabins also have bathrooms with a bathtub-shower configuration. Category XA (OP) are outside cabins each with 2 small Portholes (non-opening round-shaped windows). Obstructed-view staterooms (category XBO) on Pacific Aria were in categories OV (fully obstructed) and OI (partially obstructed).

Wheelchair-accessible cabins have wider entry doorways, no thresholds in bathrooms (and more handrails around). Modified accessible (ADA) rooms have a shower with a smaller step into the bathroom, but all doors are the standard size.

Premium in-room services are provided complimentary to all guests, for suite-like experiences even in lower grades accommodations. The list of fare-inclusive extras (perks provided upon request) includes shoeshine, express ironing, laundry, robes and slippers, a pillow menu, yoga mats, fresh fruits, ice delivery.

All Suites additionally have Nespresso coffee machines and iPod docking stations (preloaded with music). Suite passengers can enjoy Continental Breakfast and Afternoon Tea (in-cabin service) daily, plus priority reservations for the onboard specialty restaurants, also for spa treatments and shore excursions/tours.

Celestyal Journey cabin and suite plans are property of Celestyal Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Celestyal Announces New Booking Tool for Travel Agents

• August 9, 2024

Celestyal Cruises has launched a new functionality for its trade portal, the company announced in a press release.

According to Celestyal, the new tool will allow its travel agent partners to book cruises and land packages for their clients.

Available via the company’s trade booking system, the function also gives the ability to book pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and land transfers.

All hotels offered are four-star and above, Celestyal said, with private transfers to and from the airport, hotel, and port available.

“We’re thrilled to introduce this new tool allowing our trade partners to offer even more comprehensive and personalized experiences for their clients,” said Brandon Townsley, Celestyal’s Vice President and Managing Director North America.

“By allowing agents to seamlessly book cruise and land packages, including high-quality hotel stays and private transfers, we’re enhancing the overall value and convenience of the Celestyal experience,” he added.

The service is currently available for a number of 2024 and 2025 sailings departing from Athens, which include the three and four-night “Iconic Aegean,” the seven-night “Idyllic Aegean,” the seven-night “Steps of Paul” and the upcoming seven-night “Heavenly Adriatic” itineraries.

Plans are in place to eventually expand the offering to its new itineraries in the Arabian Gulf, Celestyal explained.

After introducing two new ships, Celestyal Cruises completed a full fleet upgrade in 2024.

Now operating the 2003-built Celestyal Discovery and the 1993-built Celestyal Journey, the company is also planning a deployment expansion with the introduction of new itineraries in the Middle East .

Marking the company’s debut in the region, the Journey is set to offer a seven-night itinerary in the Arabian Gulf named “Desert Days.”

The vessel will be joined by the Discovery for the 2025-26 winter, with both ships sailing to destinations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrein and more .

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Celestyal Launches New Trade Booking Tool for Pre/Post Cruise Tours

Photo: Celestyal

Celestyal has launched a new travel advisor tool that allows trade partners to book cruise and land packages for their clients.

The new functionality, found on Celestyal’s trade booking system, gives advisors the ability to book pre- and post-cruise hotel stays with transfers included. All hotels are four-star and above, with private transfers to and from the airport, hotel, and port available.

“We’re thrilled to introduce this new tool allowing our trade partners to offer even more comprehensive and personalized experiences for their clients,” said Brandon Townsley, vice president and managing director, North America for Celestyal. “By allowing agents to seamlessly book cruise and land packages… we’re enhancing the overall value and convenience of the Celestyal experience.”

The service is currently available for a number of 2024 and 2025 sailings departing from Athens, with plans in place to expand the offering to the Arabian Gulf.

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Disney Cruise Line placed an order for four additional ships to be delivered between 2027 and 2031.

The microsites showcase Swan Hellenic’s itineraries, onboard experiences, destinations, ships, and latest promotions.

Princess is revving up its Wi-Fi speeds, but only for cruisers who have purchased either a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package.

New additions will include The Perfect Storm, Ultimate Abyss, Pesky Parrot tiki bar, and more.

NCL has expanded its program to include Canadian service members and veterans.

The tour operator has launched a microsite built especially for cruise-sellers who don’t normally book FIT stays for their clients.

• Summer (Mar – Oct)
• Iconic Aegean Summer - 4 Nights
• Iconic Aegean Summer - 3 Nights
• Winter (Mar, Oct, Nov)
• Iconic Aegean Winter – 4 Nights
• Iconic Aegean Winter – 3 Nights
• 2024 - 2025 Season
• Desert Days – Dubai – Abu Dhabi – 4 Nights
• Desert Days – Abu Dhabi – Dubai – 3 Nights
• 2025 - 2027 Seasons
• Iconic Arabia – 4 Nights
• Iconic Arabia – 3 Nights
• Steps of Paul - 7 Nights
• Heavenly Adriatic – 7 Nights
• Idyllic Aegean - 7 Nights
• Summer Heavenly Adriatic – 7 Nights
• Idyllic Aegean (2026) – 7 Nights
• Desert Days – 7 Nights
• Desert Days – Doha Extended Stay – 7 Nights
• Desert Days Abu Dhabi Extension – 7 Nights
• Desert Days Doha – 7 Nights
• Desert Days – Dubai – 7 Nights
• Gulf Icons – 7 Nights
• Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix – 7 Nights
• Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – 7 Nights
• Desert Days & Double Grand Prix – 7 Nights
• Desert Days & Double Grand Prix – 14 Nights
• Heavenly Adriatic & Idyllic Aegean – 14 Nights
• Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Doha, Qatar
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• Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain
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Celestyal Crystal

Make yourself at home.

Our staterooms are managed by a personal steward and assistant steward to ensure you have everything you need when you need it. A daily program is delivered to your room. Our convenient laundry service allows you to travel lightly. We also have a dedicated housekeeping team that visits twice a day to ensure your room is fresh and cozy.

CHOOSE YOUR STATEROOM

Interior staterooms, exterior staterooms, sbj - junior suite.

Side Elevation

SB - Balcony Suite

SG - Grand Suite

IA - Interior Stateroom

IB - Interior Stateroom

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XA - Exterior Staterooms

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SPECIAL MOMENTS FOR EVERYONE

CULINARY DELIGHTS

You don’t have to venture to the restaurants to enjoy the delectable recipes aboard the Crystal. Take advantage of our room service and enjoy a romantic dinner or family meal in private.

Our revitalising spa treatments include head and body massage, Balinese Shiatsu, classic Swedish massage, aromatherapy treatments and hot stones. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

DRINKS PACKAGES

Our drinks packages invite you to indulge in a choice of premium beers, wine, spirits and cocktails.We say ‘ya mas’ to that!

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