Celestyal Adds Two Athens-to-Jeddah Cruises in November 2026

Celestyal Cruises has scheduled two new repositioning voyages from Greece to Saudi Arabia in November 2026, moving Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery to Jeddah ahead of the line’s 2026-27 winter deployment in the Arabian Gulf.

The sailings, set one week apart, add longer, destination-led itineraries that connect the Eastern Mediterranean with the Middle East, and they come as Celestyal also rolls out Formula 1-themed cruises and updated Gulf-season plans through March 2027.

New Athens-to-Jeddah sailings add longer Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East routing

Celestyal said the new voyages build on demand for the Athens-to-Jeddah routing. “The strong demand for our Athens to Jeddah sailings last year confirmed the growing appeal of longer, destination-led voyages that connect both iconic and lesser-known ports,” said John Diorio, Celestyal North America’s managing director and vice president of business development.

“Building on that success, these new sailings allow us to offer guests a truly unmissable journey while seamlessly transitioning into our Arabian Gulf season,” Diorio added.

Repositioning itineraries, dates, and entry-level pricing

Both voyages sail from Piraeus (Athens) to Jeddah, with calls in Egypt and Jordan; the Celestyal Journey itinerary includes a Suez Canal transit. Celestyal Discovery’s sailing also adds a Turkey stop, and the cruise line is offering embarkation in Kusadasi on that voyage.

• Celestyal Journey (Nov. 14, 2026): A seven-night repositioning cruise from Piraeus to Jeddah, priced from $789 per person, with calls at Port Said (Egypt), Safaga (Egypt), and Aqaba (Jordan), and a Suez Canal transit.
• Celestyal Discovery (Nov. 20, 2026): An eight-night repositioning cruise from Piraeus to Jeddah, priced from $909 per person, calling at Kusadasi (Turkey) plus Port Said (Egypt), Safaga (Egypt), and Aqaba (Jordan); embarkation is also available in Kusadasi.

Cancellation and rebooking for the Nov. 20, 2026 Greek Islands sailing

Celestyal said the three-night Iconic Greek Islands sailing previously scheduled to depart on Nov. 20, 2026 has been canceled to accommodate Celestyal Discovery’s new eight-night repositioning itinerary.

The cruise line said travel partners with affected guests have been notified, that commission will be protected, and that updated details and rebooking options are being provided to impacted travelers.

How the repositioning voyages feed into Celestyal’s 2026-27 Arabian Gulf operations

After arriving in Jeddah, both ships are scheduled to continue into the Arabian Gulf for Celestyal’s winter 2026-27 program. Diorio described the timing as supporting “a seamless transition” into Celestyal’s third consecutive Arabian Gulf season.

Celestyal has said its commitment to the region runs through March 2027, when both ships are set to return to Greece to resume summer deployments in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. The company also noted that the two ships recently met while operating in the Gulf during their second and third winter seasons, respectively.

• Celestyal Journey (Desert Days): A seven-night Desert Days cruise sailing roundtrip from Doha, calling at Dubai (including an overnight), Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Bahrain.
• Celestyal Discovery (Iconic Arabia): A mix of three-night, four-night, and seven-night Iconic Arabia itineraries sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, with calls that include Doha, Khasab, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sir Bani Yas Island.

Formula 1-themed cruises with three-night stays in port

Celestyal is also planning two dedicated Formula 1 itineraries for the 2026-27 season, built around three-night stays in port designed to let guests attend practice sessions, qualifying, and race day events.

“Our previous F1 sailings have been some of the most successful and talked-about itineraries we have ever operated,” said Lee Haslett, Celestyal’s chief commercial officer.

• Doha F1 cruise (Celestyal Journey): Departs Nov. 27, 2026, as an eight-night sailing priced from $839 per person, featuring a three-night stay in Doha before continuing to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Bahrain.
• Abu Dhabi F1 sailing (Celestyal Discovery): Departs Dec. 4, 2026, as a seven-night sailing priced from $899 per person, featuring a three-night stay in Abu Dhabi before visiting Doha, Ras Al Khaimah, and Khasab.

What fares include, and optional add-ons for F1 sailings

Celestyal said its Gulf-season offerings include all-inclusive packages covering meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees, and gratuities. For the F1-themed cruises, race tickets are available as an optional add-on purchase through Celestyal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When do Celestyal’s new Athens-to-Jeddah repositioning cruises depart?

Celestyal Journey is scheduled to depart Piraeus on Nov. 14, 2026 (seven nights), and Celestyal Discovery is scheduled to depart Piraeus on Nov. 20, 2026 (eight nights).

Which ports are included on the Athens-to-Jeddah repositioning voyages?

Both itineraries call at Port Said and Safaga in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan. Celestyal Discovery’s eight-night voyage also includes a call in Kusadasi, Turkey, and Celestyal is offering embarkation in Kusadasi on that sailing. Celestyal Journey’s itinerary includes a Suez Canal transit.

What is included in Celestyal’s cruise fares for these sailings?

Celestyal said fares include meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees, and gratuities. For the Formula 1-themed itineraries, race tickets are available as an additional purchase through Celestyal.

What happens to the Nov. 20, 2026 Iconic Greek Islands sailing?

Celestyal has canceled the three-night Iconic Greek Islands sailing that had been scheduled for Nov. 20, 2026, because Celestyal Discovery is now operating the eight-night repositioning voyage to Jeddah. The company said affected travelers and travel partners have been notified, commission is being protected, and rebooking options are available.

What itineraries will the ships operate after the Arabian Gulf season ends?

Celestyal said its Arabian Gulf deployment runs through March 2027, after which Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery will return to Greece to resume summer operations in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.

The first of the new repositioning sailings departs Piraeus on Nov. 14, 2026, followed by a second departure on Nov. 20, 2026, before the ships continue into winter Gulf operations and the late-November and early-December Formula 1-themed itineraries.