ATHENS — The countdown is on for Celestyal Cruises, which will return to year-round cruising in March 2022.

The cruise line, which was able to resume limited sailings this past summer in the Mediterranean, has confirmed the resumption of three- and four-night cruises on March 14, 2022, followed by seven-night sailings on April 30. Celestyal, one of the only cruise lines to consistently call upon Turkey, will also return to Kusadasi when it sets sail in March. In addition, Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, will be added to the popular seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ itinerary.

As part of the same itinerary, Celestyal will also return to the less-discovered island of Milos, which was recently named the ‘World’s Best Island’ by Travel + Leisure magazine. In the coming year, the cruise line will extend its time in port in Milos from a half day to an entire day. Additionally, the itinerary will call upon Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Kusadasi, with all-inclusive pricing starting at $1,019 per person.

Also available is Celestyal’s seven-night ‘Eclectic’ itinerary, which includes Kavala, the centuries-old Greek port city on the Thracian Sea, often referred to as the ‘blue city’ for its crystal-clear coastal waters. Guests have the option to embark and disembark in Istanbul, with additional air connection options. All-inclusive pricing starts at $1,019 per person.

The end of 2022 will see the return of Celestyal’s seven-night ‘Three Continents’ itinerary, last operated in late 2019 and calling on Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Cyprus. This will be followed by two exclusive holiday sailings: the 10-night Christmas sailing calling on Thessaloniki, Izmir, Rhodes, Limassol, Alexandria and an overnight in Haifa where Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be spent; and the eight-night New Year’s sailing with visits to Heraklion, Santorini, Volos, Kusadasi and an overnight in Istanbul to take in New Year’s Eve fireworks. Both sailings can be combined for an 18-night holiday event covering the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean starting at $2,399 per person.

“This past summer, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Celestyal’s crew, we were able to demonstrate our ability to safely return to cruising,” said Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer Leslie Peden. “We are optimistic that our destination-centric itineraries to undiscovered and exciting destinations will continue to be well received by our core audience, which are travellers by nature.

“Our confidence is supported by strong levels of interest, inquiry and bookings already for these itineraries next year and into 2023, which has been the catalyst to returning to year-round cruising.”