Celestyal Cruises has just two ships, but they’re more different than you might think.
Celestyal Discovery is the newer of the two, yet Celestyal Journey is actually the bigger ship. And while both promise a more relaxed cruising experience than the giant megaships, there’s quite a difference in what you’ll find onboard.
After trying a Celestyal cruise myself, I can see why people love the smaller ships, especially when it comes to exploring the Greek Islands.
But which ship should you choose?
There Are Just Two Ships in the Fleet
Celestyal Cruises currently has two ships. The ships have all been purchased from other cruise lines and refitted to meet the needs of the Celestyal passenger – none have been custom-built for the cruise line.
Here’s a quick look at the two ships that make up the entire fleet:
| Ship | Built | Joined the Celestyal Cruises fleet | Gross Tonnage | Passenger Capacity | Length | Number of decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestyal Journey | 1994 | 2023 | 55,877 GT | 1,260 | 719 feet | 12 |
| Celestyal Discovery | 2003 | 2024 | 42,289 GT | 1,360 | 665 feet | 12 |
1. Celestyal Journey
Since joining the fleet in September 2023, Celestyal Journey has offered an exciting range of experiences while keeping the intimate, relaxed feel Celestyal is known for.
History
Celestyal Journey is another ship with a long history. She began life as the MS Ryndam for Holland America Line, launching in 1994 and remaining with the cruise line for 21 years of excellent service.
She then joined the P&O Cruises Australia brand as Pacific Aria, before being sold to Cruise & Maritime Voyages.
Before she could debut as the Ida Pfeiffer for the cruise line, it went into administration, and so she instead was sold to Seajets, sailing as Aegean Goddess for three years before joining Celestyal Cruises.
Accommodation
Celestyal Journey offers a range of accommodation options, including Interior and Exterior rooms that sleep between 2 and 4 guests.
There are three categories of Suite on the ship – the Junior Dream Suite, Grand Dream Suite, and a Stargazer Suite, which is the largest accommodation option in the fleet.
Dining
One of the biggest advantages to choosing Celestyal Journey is the wide choice of dining options on the ship. Main restaurant choices include the Thalassa Restaurant, the Grill Seekers surf and turf restaurant, and the Greek Deli snack bar. There’s also The Taverna buffet to enjoy.
Guests can also indulge at Pink Moon which offers South Asian cuisine, and Smoked Olive for more flavours of the Mediterranean. The Chef’s Table is the ultimate venue for special occasions. Additional charges apply to speciality dining, although some suite guests have dining privileges at Smoked Olive.
Bars & Lounges
Celestyal Journey hosts an increased number of bars and lounges compared to the older ships in the fleet that have since departed. The centrepiece is the Amphiteatro Show Lounge where live performances bring every night of the cruise to life.
There are three Symposium lounges on the ship too, if you want to enjoy fantastic musical performances, along with the returning favourite Horizons lounge and disco. Other venues include The Grill lounge (just outside the speciality restaurant), the Ocean bar, Helios bar and the Martini Piano bar.
Things to Do
In terms of daytime activities, Celestyal Cruises sticks to what it knows with Celestyal Journey – guests can look forward to relaxing spa treatments (the spa is much bigger than on the older ships), outdoor sports, shopping and photography. The outdoor pool has a retractable roof too, so can be used in all weather.
There is a casino, and there’s also an expanded kids’ area with an arcade to help keep younger guests entertained.
Destinations
Celestyal Journey primarily offers 7-night cruises, with some itineraries combined into longer 14-night sailings.
Destinations include the Greek Islands, Turkey and other Mediterranean ports, including stops in Italy and Croatia. The ship also offers Arabian Gulf itineraries, with departures from ports including Doha and Dubai.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Celestyal Cruises offers…
2. Celestyal Discovery
Celestyal Discovery is a more recent addition to the fleet, having joined in 2024. She’s also a newer ship than Celestyal Journey too, having been built in 2003.
History
The history of Celestyal Discovery is a little more straightforward than some other ships that have graced the fleet in the past.
She began life as AIDAaura, sailing for German cruise line AIDA Cruises, and she completed 20 years of service for that cruise line following her launch in 2003.
AIDA Cruises then announced that the ship was decommissioned, and Miray Cruises reportedly tried to buy the ship for their Life At Sea Cruises round-the-world sailing, with the ship due to be renamed Lara.
That fell through, and so in 2023 the ship was acquired by Celestyal ahead of a 2024 launch as Celestyal Discovery.
In 2025, Celestyal Discovery underwent a major refurbishment, adding 47 new cabins and suites, upgrading its accommodation options and increasing its passenger capacity to 1,360.
Accommodation
Celestyal Discovery offers six main accommodation categories, ranging from budget-friendly Interior Cosmos Cabins to spacious suites with private balconies.
Interior and Exterior Cosmos Cabins can accommodate up to four people, while Balcony Cosmos Cabins sleep two guests and provide private outdoor space.
For something more luxurious, there are Junior Dream Suites, Grand Dream Suites and Grand Horizon Suites. These offer additional space and amenities, with selected suites also providing concierge service and access to VIP areas.
Junior Dream Suites can accommodate up to four guests, making them a good option for families wanting a balcony.
Dining
You’ve got some great dining options available on Celestyal Discovery – you certainly won’t get bored.
The main restaurant is Thalassa, which serves a variety of Mediterranean and international dishes with table service. There’s also The Taverna, the ship’s buffet, offering a wide selection of cuisines.
The Greek Deli is the ship’s main snack option, with the Greek-style bagels being a particular highlight. And there’s Grill Seekers, a surf-and-turf restaurant that you’ll also find on Celestyal Journey.
There’s also Smoked Olive, which was introduced during the ship’s 2025 refurbishment. It offers dining for suite guests, with additional dining options available at an extra charge.
Bars & Lounges
There is a fantastic selection of bars and lounges on Celestyal Discovery, with a venue to suit every mood.
Feeling classy? Head to Grapevine for a wine recommendation, or sip on signature cocktails at the Martini Bar & Lounge.
Prefer something a little more casual and sweet? Fig & Honey offers juices and gelatos along with indulgent milkshakes and other treats.
And if you want to party the night away, check out the AFTer Disco Bar & Lounge, or take in a performance at the Amphitheatro Show Lounge.
Things to do
In terms of activities, Celestyal Discovery offers the same experience as Celestyal Journey. Expect to be able to relax by the pool or burn off some calories playing outdoor sports or in the onboard gym. You can then soothe the aches of activity away with a relaxing treatment in the spa.
There’s a casino, along with duty-free shops and a photography studio to help you capture the memories of your cruise.
Destinations
Celestyal Discovery tends to focus on shorter cruises, with 3- and 4-night sailings around the Greek Islands and the Arabian Gulf.
However, the ship also offers longer Mediterranean itineraries, including cruises visiting Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France and Italy.
Final Word
The ships in the Celestyal Cruises fleet are all fantastically maintained despite their age, and offer a wonderful cruise experience.
Both Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery offer a range of well-appointed accommodations, some great dining venues, and plenty of bars and activities to keep you busy – as if the itineraries won’t be enough!
Journey has a couple more dining options, but you won’t feel like you’re missing out if you choose Discovery. Your choice will likely come down to the itineraries you’re interested in, the accommodation you prefer and the onboard facilities that matter most to you.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Celestyal Cruises offers…
