AP report: Celestyal Cruises resumes cruise operations with first sailings

Αssociated Press reports from Athens that Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning, number one choice for cruise travelers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, announced on June 14 that it has successfully resumed operations with its signature seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary on the Celestyal Crystal. This Greek island itinerary calls upon Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Santorini, Lavrion, Mykonos, Milos, and Crete.

“Following a most difficult and challenging year, we are beyond thrilled to be welcoming guests back on board this summer on our most popular and signature Greek island itinerary: the Idyllic Aegean. This was no small task and is due to the unwavering dedication and unified teamwork of the Celestyal team, both shoreside and on board, and the support from our strategic partners, both large and small. We are all excited to be welcoming guests back onboard to experience our award-winning, warm and genuine Greek hospitality that only Celestyal can deliver and to come back stronger than ever!” said Celestyal Cruises’ CEO, Chris Theophilides.

"It is with great pride for all of us working in the Greek tourism industry to see the return of Celestyal ships to the Greek seas this summer,” said Greece’s Minister of Tourism, Harry Theoharis. “The resumption of cruising, under our new health and safety guidelines, and the strong commitment to Greece from the cruise industry at large is further proof of how resilient Greece is and how quickly we can bring back a sense of normalcy -- just in time for the summer travel season.”

The beginning of the summer season with the deployment of the Celestyal Crystal will be followed by the deployment of the Celestyal Olympia, which will set sail on June 28 through August 30 on Celestyal’s new, seven-night “Legendary Archipelago” from the cruise line’s dedicated terminal at Lavrion Port and Marina (Athens), located just 16 miles from the Athens Airport and a similar driving time from the city center as the Piraeus Port. The “Legendary Archipelago” itinerary will introduce Thessaloniki as well as call upon Mykonos, Santorini, Agios Nikolaos (Crete), and Rhodes in Greece and Limassol in Cyprus. Celestyal is the only cruise line calling on a regular basis to Thessaloniki.

As of August 30, the Celestyal Olympia will operate her scheduled three- and four-night “Iconic Aegean” and “Iconic Discovery” itineraries from Lavrion Port and Marina for the remainder of the season. In the fall Celestyal Crystal will sail on Eclectic Aegean, Steps of Paul and Three Continents, as per her previously announced program.

For more information or to book visit: https://celestyal.com/us/.

Read more at thenationalherald.com

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