We've Been Onboard Celestyal Journey!

If you’re not already familiar with Celestyal Cruises, this Greece-based cruise line leans into all things that this region is famous for, priding itself on warm hospitality, local food, and port stops that go way beyond the usual tourist trail.

Celestyal’s ships are mid-sized, which makes the whole cruise experience feel more personal and relaxed. Specialising in Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, with lots of time to explore places like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and even some lesser-known islands and coastal towns, this is the perfect cruise line for any traveller who loves cultural experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

If you've ever dreamed of sailing through the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea on a ship that feels personal, relaxed and thoughtfully designed, then a cruise onboard Celestyal Journey may be exactly what you’re looking for. Recently refurbished and designed to offer an intimate, immersive cruising experience, this mid-sized ship delivers a unique blend of comfort, culture, and adventure- all with Greek flair at the core.

Specialist Cruise.co.uk Consultant, Rossi Higgs, recently had the pleasure of cruising onboard Celestyal Journey. Read on to find out about their first-hand experience of sailing onboard this authentic ship!

First Impressions

All public areas on Celestyal Journey are extremely modern and extremely well-maintained. The exterior of the ship was painted earlier this year, so it looks very fresh. 

At times of any rough seas, the ship felt unbelievably stable considering its smaller size.

The first language spoken onboard is English. There was a mix of nationalities onboard for my sailing, but many passengers were predominantly English speaking, with the majority being from Australia, New Zealand or the USA. 

What's Included in The Cost?

If you have booked a Celestyal cruise before 10th December 2024, then beer, wine and soft drinks are included with your evening meal, as well as shore excursion credit.

However, if your Celestyal cruise is booked after 10th December 2024, only soft drinks are now included with meals, plus free WiFi. 

There is no option to add a drinks package on Celestyal cruises anymore. Instead, guests can opt for a pre-paid bar tab, where they will also receive a bonus amount for the tab on top of what is paid in advance.

Onboard Facilities

The main pool is quite large and surrounded by thickly padded, comfortable sunbeds, as well as sofas and chairs. There are plenty of lounging areas throughout the ship and on deck, plus an additional pool at the aft of the ship with plenty of sunbeds too.

Bars and restaurants are also available in abundance onboard for a ship of its size.

The Cabin

During my cruise on Celestyal Journey, I stayed in a Balcony Junior Suite. This was essentially a balcony cabin by other ships' standards, but nonetheless it was very large and spacious, featuring a 3-seat sofa and a large balcony.

One key difference was the bathroom; it had a full-size walk-in shower! Balcony grades or higher also come with additional perks, including a dedicated restaurant for dining.

Service & Staff

All of the staff I interacted with while onboard Celestyal Journey were outstanding! 

My cabin steward was the best I have had on any cruise ship. He made every effort to speak to us (by name) at every opportunity, made some amazing towel animals every night, left us treats daily and kept the cabin immaculate.

In the Smoked Olive restaurant, the dedicated restaurant for suite guests, the service was again exceptional from all staff. We had an aft-facing window table for two every night, with floor-to-ceiling windows and amazing views.

Entertainment

There are two evening shows in the theatre, which are all high-quality and varied each evening, so there is something to suit all tastes and preferences. All songs performed were in English, apart from when it was a themed night.

Outside of the theatre, I was expecting very little entertainment; however, there was plenty of choice.

To name a few, the Blu Bar had a Greek Band which played nightly shows with an amazing singer. Cafe Nation Bar had a Filipino duo who were very good, and the Martini Bar always had something different to watch every night.

Vibe Onboard 

Onboard Celestyal Journey, there was a Greek feel throughout the ship, with Greek music often playing in the background around the pool and at the Taverna (buffet). Livelier music would tend to be played in the afternoon and evening around the pool.

During the day, there is quite a relaxed atmosphere on the ship. Whereas, at night, there is a good mix of lively entertainment and places where you can alternatively grab a quiet drink.

Food

We only used the buffet for breakfast and once for lunch. The choice of food here was good, but there was perhaps not as much choice as some other cruise lines I have experienced.

In Smoked Olive, the food was exceptional. There was a great choice of dishes, the presentation was excellent, and the food was always delicious. In fact, this was the best food I have ever tasted on a cruise ship!

Dining Times

Celestyal’s approach to dining times differs slightly from other cruise lines.

The buffet is only open at certain times of the day, and the opening times of both the buffet and main dining restaurants can vary from one port to another.

Below is an example of dining times:

Breakfast: 7-9.30 am (+30 minutes for coffee & pastries)

Lunch: 12-2.30 pm

Dinner: 7-9.30 pm

Outside of these times, you can generally only get snacks at the Greek Deli and the Fig and Honey, both located by the main pool.

Drinks

The drinks menus onboard Celestyal Journey are extensive; there is a huge choice to suit everyone. Prices do vary quite a lot, but they are comparable to most other popular cruise lines.

My Overall Verdict of Celestyal Journey

• Ship - 10/10

• Cabin - 10/10

• Facilities (considering ship size) - 10/10

• Service - 10/10

• Entertainment - 10/10

• Food & Drink 9/10

Celestyal is officially my new favourite cruise line, and I cannot wait to get back onboard soon!