Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal Cruises is a Greek-inspired ocean cruise brand offering voyages to Greece, the Aegean islands and other destinations in the eastern Mediterranean. Its boutique fleet comprises two mid-sized ships. The company describes its onboard and travel experience through regional cuisine, time ashore and its Sozo wellness concept.

Brand and history

The story behind the brand as it exists today begins with two distinct timelines. The Louis Group entered the cruise ship ownership and management business in 1986; after 1989, the division expanded and acquired a total of 13 ships. In 2014, Louis plc launched the independent Celestyal Cruises brand in Athens, focusing on Greek island and Mediterranean cruises. In 1996, Louis had chartered a ship to TUI’s Thomson Cruises for the first time—a significant early business move for the Louis cruise division, preceding the later launch of the Celestyal brand.

Connection to Louis plc

In November 2021, Louis plc announced a recapitalisation and a strategic partnership with Searchlight Capital Partners. The Louis Group website now describes Celestyal as an associated company, rather than a subsidiary of Louis plc. This makes it possible to distinguish the brand today from the Louis Group’s longer history of ship ownership and management.

Ships and concept

The current fleet consists of Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey. The cruise line states that each ship carries a maximum of around 1,260 passengers per voyage and describes both as mid-sized. Celestyal Journey joined the fleet in 2023 after an extensive refurbishment; Discovery completed the current two-ship fleet in early 2024. Destinations include Greece and the Greek islands, as well as Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy.

The dining options feature Greek and regionally inspired dishes alongside international cuisine. The Sozo concept brings a Greek approach to physical and mental wellbeing to the spa, swimming pools, sauna, steam room and fitness centre. These features complement the regional travel profile: for geographical context, see the overview of the Mediterranean and the more specific guide to the eastern Mediterranean. Italy is also among Celestyal’s stated destinations; the western Mediterranean routes offer a useful point of comparison within the same travel region.