Celestyal has announced the cancellation of its upcoming 14-night repositioning cruises, ‘Ancient Athens to Dazzling Doha’ and its counterpart sailing ‘Dazzling Doha to Ancient Athens’. The sailings were scheduled to depart on October 26, 2024, and March 8, 2025, respectively, onboard Celestyal Journey.

The decision has been made following the recent escalation of political unrest in the original path of passage via the Red Sea. To uphold its commitment to the year-round programme and ensure the success of Celestyal’s first Arabian Gulf season, Celestyal Journey will instead embark on 34-night non-commercial repositioning cruise to and from Doha, Qatar.

To accommodate the longer repositioning cruises, the first three scheduled ‘Desert Days’ itineraries, set to depart from Doha on November 9, 16 and 23 will be cancelled.

On Celestyal Journey’s return to Europe, the first three 2025 ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ itineraries, set to depart on March 22, 29 and April 5, 2025, have also been cancelled.

Celestyal Journey’s maiden voyage in the Arabian Gulf will now be a slightly amended seven-night ‘Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix’ voyage, sailing round trip from Doha departing November 30, 2024. This voyage will be in Doha port for the first three days to cover the Qatar Grand Prix, travelling onto an overnight in Dubai Marina and also calling at Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. This voyage will be followed by a slightly amended seven-night ‘Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’ cruise, now sailing round trip from Dubai, departing December 2, 2024, with a full day and late-night stay in Abu Dhabi on December 8, to accommodate guests attending the Grand Prix race.

Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, said: “We recently announced our full cruise programme through to March 2027 to build simplicity and assurance into our offering. In light of the current geopolitical climate in our original path of passage to this year’s winter season, we have decided to operate longer non-commercial repositioning sailings to and from Qatar. Celestyal Journey will continue to proudly homeport from Doha, Qatar from November 2024, for the next three winter seasons.

We apologise for the inconvenience that today’s cancellation of a small number of our itineraries may have caused. Our impacted guests have all been offered alternative cruise options and/or reimbursement. We remain steadfast in our commitment to our global year-round operation in the Greek islands, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf, and would like to thank our valued guests and trade partners for their understanding and support. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard Celestyal Journey for her inaugural Arabian Gulf season in late November this year.”

Celestyal Journey’s inaugural Arabian Gulf season now comprises nine seven-night ’Desert Days’ sailings departing between November 2024 and March 2025, with the option to embark in either Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi or Dubai, UAE. Plus, two special Grand Prix voyages, departing November 30, 2024, sailing round trip from Doha and December 2, 2024, sailing round trip from Dubai.

All affected guests have been notified and provided with alternative cruises and reimbursement.

All travel partners have been notified, assured protected commission and provided with updated information and guest rebooking options. All booking system changes will be updated over the next two weeks.