ATHENS — Celestyal has cancelled several sailings due in part to unrest in the Red Sea.

First off, two 14-night repositioning cruises, ‘Ancient Athens to Dazzling Doha’ and ‘Dazzling Doha to Ancient Athens’, scheduled to depart Oct. 26, 2024 and March 8, 2025 respectively onboard Celestyal Journey, have been cancelled.

Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett said the decision was made following the recent escalation of political unrest in the original path of passage via the Red Sea.

To uphold its commitment to the year-round program and ensure the success of Celestyal’s first Arabian Gulf season, Celestyal Journey will instead embark on a 34-night non-commercial repositioning cruise to and from Doha.

To accommodate the longer repositioning cruises, the first three scheduled ‘Desert Days’ itineraries, set to depart from Doha on Nov. 9, 16 and 23, 2024, will be cancelled.

On Celestyal Journey’s return to Europe, the first three 2025 ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ itineraries, set to depart on March 22, 29 and April 5, 2025, have also been cancelled.

Celestyal Journey’s maiden voyage in the Arabian Gulf will now be a slightly amended seven-night ‘Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix’ cruise, sailing roundtrip from Doha departing Nov. 30, 2024. This voyage will be in Doha port for the first three days to cover the Qatar Grand Prix, travelling onto an overnight in Dubai Marina and also calling at Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. This voyage will be followed by a slightly amended seven-night ‘Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’ cruise, now sailing round trip from Dubai, departing Dec. 2, with a full day and late-night stay in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 8, to accommodate guests attending the Grand Prix race.

“We recently announced our full cruise program through March 2027 to build simplicity and assurance into our offering. In light of the current geopolitical climate in our original path of passage to this year’s winter season, we have decided to operate longer non-commercial repositioning sailings to and from Qatar. Celestyal Journey will continue to proudly homeport from Doha, Qatar from November 2024, for the next three winter seasons,” said Haslett.

“We apologize for the inconvenience that today’s cancellation of a small number of our itineraries may have caused. Our impacted guests have all been offered alternative cruise options and/or reimbursement. We remain steadfast in our commitment to our global year-round operation in the Greek islands, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf, and would like to thank our valued guests and trade partners for their understanding and support. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard Celestyal Journey for her inaugural Arabian Gulf season in late November this year,” he added.

Celestyal Journey’s inaugural Arabian Gulf season now comprises nine seven-night ‘Desert Days’ sailings departing between November 2024 and March 2025, with the option to embark in either Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi or Dubai, UAE. There are also the two special Grand Prix voyages, departing Nov. 30, sailing roundtrip from Doha, and Dec. 2 sailing roundtrip from Dubai.

Haslett said all affected passengers have been notified and provided with alternative cruises and reimbursement.

He added that all travel partners have been notified, assured protected commission and provided with updated information and guest rebooking options. All booking system changes will be updated over the next two weeks.

For more information visit www.celestyal.com.