Sponsored by Celestyal

If you have customers on the hunt for an Arabian adventure like no other, look no further than Celestyal’s range of short sailings to one of the world’s most enticing destinations

Last year, the Arabian Gulf recorded some of its highest cruise visitor numbers in its history. Qatar saw more than 378,000 passengers and 73 cruise calls, while Abu Dhabi welcomed record numbers with more than 100 visiting ships.

The region is a developing hub, with growth predicted to reach nearly 10 per cent through to 2032. This burgeoning desire from cruisers to uncover the gems of the Gulf has been pounced on by Celestyal. The cruise line, well-known for its range of immersive shoreside experiences and enticing onboard activations, has deployed Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery in the region to offer a series of destination-rich itineraries.

The line offers a seven-night Desert Days itinerary and three-, four- and seven-night Iconic Arabia cruises, giving guests the option between shorter breaks – ideal for new-to-cruise clients looking to test the waters – and week-long sailings for cruisers wanting to get beneath the skin of the destination.

The line’s vast array of shoreside excursions, meanwhile, sets it apart from the rest. The more clients book in advance, the more they save. Guests can enjoy 10 per cent off two pre-booked excursions, 15 per cent off three and 20 per cent off more than four.

All pre-booked packages earn commission, too. Here, we delve deeper into the line’s Arabian cruises, as well as its new Learning Management System (LMS), Celestyal Stars, designed to help you sell the region more effectively.

Sailing from Doha and Dubai, this seven-night itinerary onboard Celestyal Journey takes guests beyond the precipice to the likes of Sir Bani Yas Island and Bahrain. Travellers can journey along breathtaking coastlines where islands, mountains, fjords and endless golden sands come together in perfect harmony, while hearing tales of ancient civilisations and exploring historic sites.

Excursions include camel rides to stargaze among the golden dunes, or, for the adrenaline junkies in your database, 4×4 rides and racing events. The A Champion Day Out excursion takes guests to Ferrari World and offers the chance to sample an immersive 5D rollercoaster with the world’s first sideways drop.

For the competitive visitors, there’s also the chance to race friends, family and fellow passengers on a 290-metre-long go-karting track. Iconic Arabia Meanwhile, Celestyal Discovery offers Iconic Arabia sailings from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, featuring full days and longer stays in the coastal cities of Doha, the town of Khasab, Ras Al Khaimah and Sir Bani Yas.

During their cruise, guests have the option to join expert guides on a half-day cultural discovery tour through stunning Abu Dhabi. They’ll first stop in the presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates, the Qasr Al Watan Palace, where they can meander through the great hall and browse the opulence and glamour of the extensive gardens. Then, guides will take travellers to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is the largest of its kind in the country.

Rising out of the beautifully manicured gardens are tranquil pools, framed by the mosque’s stunning architecture which is inspired by several Middle East designs. Remind your clients to pack their cameras, as pictures here are a must.

Formerly known as Celestyal Campus, Celestyal Stars will launch on 1 December to give agents the opportunity to complete the training and brush up on their Arabian Gulf knowledge ahead of the upcoming wave period.

The refreshed programme introduces specially curated learning paths, where modules unlock progressively as agents advance through Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum certifications, earning one- to four-Star Navigator status along the way. Each level will feature unique incentives designed to reward engagement and achievement.

Training will cover everything from Celestyal’s brand identity and fleet to destination knowledge and business development content such as “How to Grow Your Celestyal Business.” All modules will be accessible via the cruise operator’s dedicated trade portal, Celestyal Compass.