Celestyal Ships Navigate Suez Canal Without Passengers Ahead of Arabian Gulf Deployment
Celestyal Cruises has announced that its vessels, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, will transit the Red Sea without passengers ahead of their upcoming winter operations in the Arabian Gulf for the 2025-2026 season. Although the Middle East season is still scheduled as planned, the repositioning itineraries have been adjusted for safety reasons.
Both ships will embark from Piraeus-Athens and make their way to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with passengers on board until arriving at the port. Following this, they will continue their journey through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait without guests, reflecting a cautious stance due to ongoing regional security concerns.
Celestyal Journey is set to leave Athens on November 22, 2025, followed by Celestyal Discovery on November 28. Each vessel will offer a 7-night itinerary with port calls at Kusadasi, Sharm El Sheikh, and Aqaba, culminating in a full transit of the Suez Canal before disembarking passengers in Jeddah. Afterward, they will head to the UAE without any guests.
This decision aligns with similar route changes made by other shipping operators in response to security issues in the southern Red Sea, but Celestyal remains committed to its Arabian Gulf program. Celestyal Journey will launch its Gulf voyages on December 6, 2025, starting with the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix and follow up with 7-night cruises from Doha, visiting Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dubai. Celestyal Discovery will begin its service on December 12, offering itineraries ranging from 3 to 7 nights out of Abu Dhabi to Doha, Khasab, Dubai, and Sir Bani Yas Island.
The company has stressed that the decision to reposition its ships without passengers was made to ensure operational safety and pave the way for a seamless start to the winter season in the Arabian Gulf.
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At CruiseShip.net, our editorial team is made up of passionate travelers, seasoned cruisers, and maritime industry enthusiasts who live and breathe life at sea. From the latest ship launches and destination spotlights to detailed reviews and onboard tips, we are dedicated to helping readers discover the joy of cruising. Our mission is to make every article both inspiring and useful, whether you are planning your first voyage or your fiftieth. We research, fact-check, and collaborate with cruise insiders around the world to bring you accurate, up-to-date, and exciting coverage of the global cruise industry. Join us as we chart new horizons, exploring one port, one ship, and one unforgettable experience at a time.
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