The new Celestyal Journey (formerly Holland America Line’s 1994-built Ryndam) will be joining the Greece-specialized Celestyal Cruises fleet on Sept. 2 — and now, a number of renderings released by the line showcase what cruisers can expect onboard.
Following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, Journey will mirror “the sense of wanderlust, adventure and exploration of its customers,” according to Celestyal. Highlights will include 149 balcony suites, seven dining venues, eight bars and lounges, a pair of conference spaces, a multipurpose amphitheater, two pools, sun decks and a wellness deck.
Cabins and Suites
Journey will offer clients a total of 630 Dream Suites and Cosmos Cabins, and the cherry on top will be the line’s first-ever penthouse with a private terrace, the Stargazer Suite. Rounding out the veranda suites will also be 120 Junior Dream Suites and 28 Grand Dream Suites. Altogether, 80% of the ship’s accommodations will be outside cabins.
Guests in Grand Dream Suites can take advantage of Celestyal’s Concierge Service, which includes a priority check-in counter, expedited embarkation and express luggage delivery, plus unpacking assistance and access to the exclusive Compass Lounge, with dedicated concierge service.
Dining Options
Among the seven restaurants and culinary experiences onboard will be a private chef’s table and live cooking demonstrations, as well as Asian food at Pink Moon; Greek at Fig and Honey; and Mediterranean at Smoked Olive. Thalassa will offer moonlight dining, and Grill Seekers, as the name implies, serves up grilled delights.
As for watering holes, Fizz Club will be home to Champagne and signature cocktails, and The Grapevine Wine Cellar will pour various vintages. Elsewhere, the Blue Bar & Lounge will serve libations and tickle the ivories.
Onboard Entertainment
Besides piano and other live music around the ship, Journey will also showcase The Amphitheatre, a double-decker show lounge, as well as an assortment of entertainment, enrichment lectures and two conference rooms. There will also be a dedicated kids’ club and arcade, among other activities for children.
Spa and Wellness
For the utmost in rest and relaxation, Celestyal will present The Sozo Experience, named after an ancient Greek tradition of collective mind, body and spirit wellness. Central to the wellness deck will be the Sozo Spa and its sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and Dream Den relaxation area, plus Glow Bar. A gym will offer exercise equipment, weights and a fitness instructor, while tennis and basketball courts and a jogging track will promote additional physical activity.
Outdoor deck spaces will be further punctuated by two pools, one with a retractable roof for inclement weather, and bonus whirlpools. What’s more, guests reserved in a Dream Suite will have exclusive access to The Beach Club outdoor area, complete with ice cream stations and juice corners.
Itineraries
When Journey sets sail, it will first follow the line’s seven-night “Idyllic Aegean” route heading to Athens, Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion (Crete), Santorini, Mykonos and Milos. Then in October, it will embark on the “Steps of Paul” itinerary visiting Athens, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Istanbul, Dikili, Kusadasi and Patmos. Later, the weeklong “Three Continents” circuit will not only feature Greece, but also Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey.
For the holiday season, there will also be an 11-night Christmas voyage including Thessaloniki, Izmir, Crete, Antalya, Limassol, two days in Alexandria (Egypt) and an overnight in Haifa (Israel) for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Holy Land. Afterward, the ship will sail an eight-night New Year’s celebration going to Heraklion, Rhodes, Kusadasi, Istanbul (overnight) and Volos.
“We are very excited to be able to share more details about our new enhanced sailing experience onboard the Celestyal Journey,” said Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestyal Cruises. “We have used invaluable feedback from our guests, as well as industry research, to elevate our existing quality product and deliver a new premium stay-in-style experience for guests of our new ship.”
The executive added that by introducing the curated likes of an expanded penthouse, a wide variety of Mediterranean cuisine, a chef’s table, a wellness deck and additional cultural adventures, the company hopes to meet its “guests’ desire for a sense of adventure, providing them with authentic, memorable moments that fulfill their search for personal growth and improved quality of life.”
