Celestyal is shifting its focus back to the Mediterranean after cancelling its planned Arabian Gulf deployment for winter 2026/27.
Instead, the cruise line will expand its Eastern Mediterranean operations and keep both ships sailing in the region through the winter season.
The move includes additional itineraries aboard both vessels, along with the launch of a brand-new Western Mediterranean program.
The 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery will add two extra Greek Islands cruises in November 2026, followed by four more departures in March 2027.
Meanwhile, the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey will operate four additional sailings in March 2027. The schedule includes two Greece, Italy and Croatia itineraries as well as two Greece-only cruises.
Celestyal also confirmed plans to debut Western Mediterranean cruises during winter 2026/27 and winter 2027/28 aboard Celestyal Discovery. Full itinerary details and pricing are expected to be announced shortly.
The company said plans for Celestyal Journey’s winter 2027/28 deployment will be revealed at a later date.
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said the revised deployment strategy reflects the line’s commitment to strengthening its Mediterranean identity.
“Following a review of our winter deployment, we have decided to focus on strengthening our authentically Mediterranean offering,” Haslett said.
“As a brand rooted in the region, these updates allow us to add more choice across some of our most popular itineraries and introduce brand-new Western Mediterranean sailings for the first time.”
The decision marks a strategic shift for the cruise line, which had previously expanded into the Arabian Gulf market as part of its broader international growth plans.
