Celestyal has celebrated its first-ever visit to Dubai in spectacular fashion, marking the occasion with a traditional dhow escort, a plaque exchange ceremony, and a star-studded evening event.
The maiden call, held on 9 December 2024, was highlighted by a procession of dhows—traditional sailing vessels—escorting Celestyal Journey into port, symbolising the blending of tradition with the cruise line’s fresh beginnings in the Arabian Gulf region.
A celebration onboard
Local dignitaries, influencers, and Celestyal’s regional partners were invited aboard the flagship for an evening of celebrations. The event featured special performances by globally acclaimed DJ and performance artist Tinie, alongside DJ Charlesy, creating a lively atmosphere to commemorate the milestone.
Launch of the ‘Desert Days’ itinerary
This inaugural visit also marked the launch of Celestyal Journey’s seven-day ‘Desert Days’ itinerary. The roundtrip cruise from Dubai visits iconic ports including Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain, offering a mix of cultural immersion and stunning destinations for travellers.
Building a long-term relationship
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, expressed excitement about the line’s debut in Dubai.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our history, as we proudly call in Dubai for our first season,’ Haslett said. ‘The dhow escort into port was a magical moment and the perfect way to officially start our long-term relationship with this captivating destination. Dubai just had to be on our Desert Days itinerary as it is an iconic destination for our guests. As a truly global city, it provides the ideal mix of culture, immersion, and bucket-list moments.”
Plans for future seasons
Celestyal’s Arabian Gulf season runs until March 2025, with plans to return for a second winter season in November 2026. At the end of 2025, Celestyal Discovery will join Celestyal Journey in the region, home porting in Abu Dhabi and offering three-night and four-night roundtrip cruises under the ‘Iconic Arabia’ program. These itineraries will feature stops in destinations such as Doha, Sir Bani Yas Island, Fujairah, Muscat, and Khasab.
