2 November 2015 

Celestyal Cruises Announces New 7-Day Cruise from Izmir 

 In keeping with its commitment to bring its passengers to new destinations every season, Celestyal Cruises announces a new 7-Day itinerary departing from and returning to Izmir in Turkey that combines incredible iconic and idyllic Aegean destinations. This new cruise is a testament to Celestyal's growing strength in the Mediterranean cruise industry and core to its strategy to expand its portfolio of spectacular destinations, many of them inaccessible to larger vessels. With three new destinations, the new 7-Day cruise from Izmir brings the total of new destinations Celestyal has added since the 2014 season to 19.

The cozy Celestyal Nefeli, the newest addition to the Celestyal Cruises fleet, will sail the from Izmir on May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 2016, with calls at new ports and marquee Ionian and Aegean destinations, with stops at Mytilini, Athens (Lavrion), Nafplion, Syros, Chania, Cesme, Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes.

From architecturally homogenous Nafplion, one of the most beautiful towns in the Peloponnese and one of Greece's most romantic cities, passengers can enjoy excursions to Agrolis to the Sanctuary of Epidaurus, a therapeutic and religious center dedicated to Asklepios and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to Mycenae, one of the greatest settlements of the Mycenaean civilization.

This unique itinerary also includes also half-day in the Turkish Riviera port of Cesme, where passengers will have the opportunity to visit Ancient Ephesus, one of the world's largest open-air museums, as well as “quality time” on lovely Mytilini and at three of the Aegean's “greatest hits,” Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes. Unique to the 7-Day cruise from Izmir is a stop in exquisite Chania, Crete, one of the island's most charming ports.

Like all Celestyal cruises, the new 7-Day Cruise from Izmir provides passengers with the real Greek experience: authentic Greek cuisine, superlative hospitality, special themed events that take passengers deep into Greek culture and history, and thrilling entertainment. This 7-Day cruise can be easily combined with a terrestrial holiday in Turkey.

About Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal Cruises is the only home porting cruise operator in Greece and the preeminent cruise line for the Greek Islands and Turkey. Celestyal Cruises' new brand, Cuba Cruises, provides passengers with an authentic Cuban cruise experience, the best of Cuba on impeccable seven-day voyages. At the 2015 Greek Tourism Awards, Celestyal Cruises was awarded a Gold Award for Themed Events, a Silver Award for Contribution to the National Economy, a Silver Award for Contribution to Local Economies and a Bronze Award for Promotion of Local Cuisine. Since 2011 Celestyal Cruises has been a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a worldwide cruise industry alliance that promotes a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. Following the successful ISO 9001/14001 auditing of two of the company's ships and the company's office, Celestyal Cruises operations are now certified in accordance with ISO 9001/14001 standards: this relates to the entire spectrum of cruise ship management including technical, hotel and crew management (the certifying authority is DNV-GL which is by far the biggest and most respected classification society in marine industry). The Celestyal logo evokes the sea, the sun and the wind. It reflects the company's commitment to its Hellenic roots, and to supporting the economy and preserving the environment of each destination it visits. For more information, please visit CelestyalCruises.com.