Celestyal marked its inaugural call in Dubai with a dhow escort, a plaque exchange ceremony, and an onboard celebration, according to a press statement.
The celebration, held on December 9, featured a number of dhows, traditional one- or two-masted sailing vessels that guided the Celestyal Journey into port.
According to Celestyal, the escort represented a fusion of heritage and new beginnings in the region.
Local dignitaries and influencers were then invited aboard for an evening of entertainment and celebrations, which included special guests, including performance artist Tinie and DJ Charlesy.
The call marked the start of the ship’s seven-day “Desert Days” itinerary, which will take her roundtrip from Dubai to Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain.
“Today is a watershed moment in our history, as we proudly arrive in Dubai for our inaugural season. The dhow escort into port was a magical occasion and the ideal way to officially begin our long-term engagement with this engaging destination,” stated Lee Haslett, Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“We congratulate our regional partners and look forward to a successful first season and beyond. Dubai has to be on our Desert Days itinerary because it is such a popular destination among our guests. As a genuinely global city, it offers the perfect blend of culture, immersion, and bucket-list experiences for our clients,” he added.
Celestyal’s debut season in the Arabian Gulf began earlier this month and is planned to end in March 2025.
The company has already announced plans to return to the region for the following three years, with the Celestyal Discovery joining the Celestyal Journey by the end of 2025.
As part of a three-year collaboration, the vessel will provide three-night-long weekend cruises and a four-night midweek cruise departing from Abu Dhabi. The itinerary includes excursions to Doha, Sir Bani Yas, Fujairah, Muscat, and Khasab.
The Celestyal Journey will continue to offer seven-night sailings departing from Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, UAE.
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