Celestyal has confirmed newly-launched Celestyal Journey will visit three new countries and six new ports as part of its reshaped maiden 2024 season.

The 1,260-guest ship, which entered service in September this year, will call for the first time in Croatia, Montenegro and Italy from Greece, with maiden calls to Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Bari and Katakolo.

The updated itineraries replace the previous Three Continents route the ship was due to sail on. Celestyal is switching pre-booked guests to the new voyages at current promotional rates, and giving them a free Three Continents cruise to “thank them for their loyalty”.

The Celestyal trade team is liaising with agents who have customers set to travel with the updated information. Celestyal confirmed commissions will be preserved on all rebooked cruises.

The new itineraries include a seven-night Heavenly Adriatic sailing, which will depart 2 March and feature full days in each destination, as well as a late-night stay in Dubrovnik. The itinerary will appear again in 2025, with details to be confirmed in due course.

Journey will also sail a new seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary on 9 and 16 March, round trip from Athens calling at Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion, Mykonos, Santorini and Milos. The vessel will then embark on a series of Aegean voyages up to December.

Celestyal ‘more than finding sea legs on the global stage’

Celestyal CCO Lee Haslett said: “We really do take the time to listen to feedback, and Italy, Croatia and Montenegro are consistently popular with the trade and our guests. These itineraries are ideal for anyone looking to discover new horizons with more than a dash of history, culture and beauty.

“And we couldn’t help ourselves by going a little bit further for our customers, so hope they enjoy their free cruise as a thank you for their unwavering support.”

The announcements come after the line unveiled a fleet refresh last week. “We are more than finding our sea legs on a global stage and fast becoming known as a confident challenger brand,” Haslett added.

Travel partners currently holding reservations on the updated March 2024 itineraries will be contacted by Celestyal over the coming days, so they can reaccommodate customers on the updated sailings on Celestyal Journey or another suitable option.

Guests who retain their booking dates on the March itineraries will be eligible for the free cruise offer, which can be applied to equivalent sailings over the next three years. All agent commission will be preserved on retained and re-accommodated bookings.