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Luxury and opulence are attributes for which Dubai is famous, and when it comes to experiencing the Middle East while cruising, this is possible with the Celestyal Journey. Described as an ‘experience’ cruise, the Celestyal Journey provides luxury, relaxation, and excursions suitable for both frequent cruisers and those who have never gone on a cruise before. On what one should expect from the Celestyal Journey in Dubai, this article features a comprehensive analysis, a review from previous Celestyal Journey visitors, and FAQs.
Overview of Celestyal Cruises
Culturally immersed, and especially prominent in the Mediterranean, Celestyal Cruises has become rather well-known. Recently, they have added these few options to their existing and varied range of itineraries that the company offers to clients as well as one of them is Arabian Gulf and Dubai which is famous for its richness and towering buildings. The Celestyal Journey is expected to make visitors understand and appreciate the region’s history and provide them with beautiful accommodations, as well as the best amenities and wonderful tours.
When I initially thought of taking a cruise on the Celestyal Journey around Dubai, a few things about the trip caught my eye. The feeling of sailing through the unspoiled waters of the Arabian Gulf and at the same time touring one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world was a dream come true. The booking procedures were smooth from the onset and the comments I went through indicated high ratings on the quality of services and cultural tour offered on the cruise. Here are the most prominent features of this experience.
In this table, you can find all the tours of the Celestyal Journey departing from and arriving in Dubai.
| Tour | Ports of Call | Special Offers |
| 4-Night Arabian Gulf Adventure | Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE) | Tabby EMI Plan: 4 installments without interest (8% processing fee) |
| 4-Night Arabian Gulf Adventure | Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE) | Prices start at AED 1599 (inside the cabin) |
| 9-Night Desert Days Cruise | Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Doha (Qatar), Bahrain | $80 discount on shore excursions |
| 5-Night Persian Gulf Wonders | Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Muscat (Oman), Abu Dhabi (UAE) | Full-board meals included; prices from AED 1999 |
| 9-Night Arabian Gulf Grandeur | Dubai, Muscat (Oman), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Manama (Bahrain), Doha (Qatar) | Fly-in package available from major airports, $50 onboard credit |
The Itinerary: Exploring Dubai and Beyond
The Celestyal Journey cruise about Dubai normally takes 7 to 14 days, depending on your selected package. Certainly, one of the most memorable and appealing stops is Dubai which often acts as the starting/ending point of the journey. The cruise offers several shore tours in Dubai, including:
- Dubai City Tour: Discover the famous sights, like Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina.
- Desert Safari: An exciting off-road trip to the Arabian desert of Dubai, experiencing a camel ride, a jeep safari, and a meal with the friendly desert dwellers.
- Cultural Experiences: A tour of the Dubai Museum, Al Fahidi Historic District, and the Gold Souk markets.
In addition to Dubai, the cruise also covers other destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Khasab in Oman. These places offer a combination of cultural gems of antiquity, contemporary architecture, and geological attractions.
Onboard Experience: Luxury Meets Comfort
Accommodations
Perhaps, the element of the Celestyal Journey that people have focused on is the staterooms and suites offered on the ship. Regardless of which area of the ship you decide to stay in, whether it is an interior cabin or one of the large suites boasted by the ship with direct sea access, your room is equipped with all the up-to-date amenities. Some visitors mentioned that they have clean and large cabins with beautiful sea or cityscape views when the cruise ships are at anchor.
I decided to get a suite, and the sight of the room, seeing the Palm Jumeirah, and the vastness of the sea in the morning was breathtaking. The room service was exemplary, and the whole atmosphere ensured that our stay was unique and special.
Amenities for Children
With all the entertaining activities that Celestyal Journey offers, family-friendly amenities are no exception. They try so hard to also keep younger travelers entertained:
- Kids Club: Incorporation of playgrounds where children can engage in games, artistic activities, and other similar activities under supervision. The club is stratified by age since the children involved are supposed to engage in age-appropriate activities.
- Teen Zone: Teen Zone for children is appropriate for older children and adolescents wherein they can play games, and sports, or engage in other activities with their peers.
- Swimming Pools: Both pool facilities – one inside and the other outdoors – are family-friendly containing the leisure pool which features special consideration, like water that is not chest deep.
- Family Entertainment: The ship also provides family entertainment, such as shows and movies in the evening to entertain all members of the family.
Dining Options
The Celestyal Journey blueprint is meant to facilitate a holistic and lavish cruise vacation for its tourists. Below is a rundown of the services it provides for passengers on board including the seven restaurants, eight bars, and special facilities for children.
Restaurants
- Leda Casual Dining: A restaurant where guests can get various types of meals, the main theme is Mediterranean. The relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant makes it ideal for grab-and-go meals or less formal dining.
- Thalassa Restaurant: Relatively more elegant than the other eateries, the Thalassa offers Mediterranean / Middle Easter style cuisine with more focus on fresh locally sourced ingredients.
- Aura Grill & BBQ: This one is an open-air grill, situated near the swimming pool, where you can taste barbecued fish, various kinds of seafood, as well as juicy steaks.
- The Chef’s Table: For those who want to enjoy the food and drinks in a more private and personal setting, there is a chef’s table, a special tasting menu delivered personally by the restaurant’s executive chef specializing in exquisite food and wine.
- Fish Tavern: A restaurant specializing in seafood where you can order different types of shrimp, lobster, and traditional fish grilled to one’s taste with a hint of the Mediterranean.
- Asian Fusion: A modern eatery, which specializes in Asian cuisine, including raw fish, soups, and other Asian specialties.
- Olive Grove: An informal restaurant where the specialties are Greek salads, moussaka, and lambs prepared in the way it is done in the Aegean Sea islands.
Bars and Lounges
- Helios Bar: Located on the sun deck, this bar offers a variety of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages which are perfect for having in the afternoon while enjoying the sea view.
- Eclipse Lounge: An elegant nighter location for celebrating and taking great cocktails, beer, and wine plus enjoying excellent musical performances and dancing.
- Horizons Lounge: With a spectacular view of the sea, the Horizons Lounge serves a variety of wines and spirits and it can be an excellent place to get acquainted or even spend a quiet evening.
- Tropical Bar: Another sun deck favorite is the Tropical Bar which focuses on tropical and fruity drinks. So, after sunbathing, customers would find it perfect to grab a drink or two.
- Ouzo Bar: A different bar with a more traditional Greek look and feel where you can enjoy ouzo as well as other traditional Greek alcoholic beverages such as wine and other spirits.
- Lounge Bar: A sort of minimalist, unpretentious space ideal for a relaxing night with a good bottle of wine or a time-honored cocktail.
- Wave Bar: Located near the pool, Wave Bar serves light meals in the form of snacks, drinks, etc. for those who want to catch a tan.
- Sky Lounge: As a high-rise positioned at the top of the ship, guests of the Sky Lounge can watch captivating views and listen to music, while enjoying the peculiar cocktails.
Activities and Entertainment Onboard
Whether you like to relax or have a fun vacation, the Celestyal Journey will provide a range of activities to meet all your desires:
- Spa and Wellness: You can treat yourself to lots of herbal and traditional therapies in the onboard spa, or lie back and enjoy the sauna and hot tub followed by a massage after a day of sailing around.
- Fitness Center: If you are a fitness enthusiast, the ship comes equipped with personal training equipment, aerobics sessions, as well as, jogging tracks that overlook the marine scenery.
- Nightlife and Shows: During the nighttime, the Celestyal Journey cruise offers guests, music, cabaret, and themed nights. The casino is also a place of interest for those who would like to play various games and have a chance to win something.
One of the Celestyal Journey guests on TripAdvisor said about their experience: “The entertainment onboard was fantastic! The themed nights were especially fun, and we loved learning traditional dances from the region.”
Shore Tours in Dubai
Iconic City Tour of Dubai
The most common excursion that is regarded as the must-see one is an extended trip focused on the main attractions of Dubai. This tour ranges from the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, to the architectural wonder that is Palm Jumeirah, to portray the skyline and culture of Dubai.
Once I disembarked the cruise and got into the city of Dubai where the modernity blooms, I literally had the feeling that I was in a different world. The futuristic architectural design and mixing between Eastern and Western cultures were simply stunning. I suggest the evening city tour, which makes one see the beautiful face of the city with lots of lights.
Desert Adventure
One of the best tour options definitely is the Dubai Desert Safari. Some of the main things you will get include sand-SUV racing in the desert, camelback riding, and of course a view of the best sunset ever. The tour concludes with fireworks and a traditional Bedouin-style dinner accompanied by a belly dancing show.
Reviews of Celestyal Journey: What Travelers Are Saying
Those who experienced traveling with the Celestyal Journey cruise were overall satisfied. The most important points that they were mentioned included:
- Exceptional Service: Several travelers comment that the people working on board are courteous with customers who seek their services, and do extra efforts to ensure they make their patrons happy. One of my traveling companions said “The Celestyal Journey staff was excellent. As soon as we set foot on, we felt like we were being treated like royalty.”
- Cultural Immersion: There is an emphasis on the cultural options with many of their guests noting that the shore excursions helped them to gain a a better understanding of the culture of the destinations visited. A reviewer said, “Our tour guide did an excellent job in providing us with relevant information on the places that we visited, and the tours were properly coordinated to offer a good perception of the true culture of the Emirate of Dubai.”
- Entertainment and Relaxation: The entire experience from the theatrical nightly performances to the soothing spa and body treatments offers guests a variety of activities to interest themselves with. During our trip, I heard from some guests: “It was great that the ship entertained everyone: for those who wanted to dance, and for those who wanted to sip wine for the evening.”
TripAdvisor Reviews
In regards to feedback about Celestyal Journey, you can always go online to post your experience or read the other passengers’ experiences on TripAdvisor. As one of the customers said, “The Celestyal Journey exceeded all our expectations. The cabin – junior balcony suite, was spacious and comfortable. The food was delicious and plentiful. Fantastic bars and restaurants. Great waiters – special thanks to Hasan from Egypt! Great bartenders and a great magic bartender show! They made us so happy.”
Another traveler highlighted other features, “our stateroom steward was exceptionally attentive, prompt with getting the technical staff to address the venting unit and kept our room tidy and welcoming. We enjoyed all the restaurants, bars, various decks, the spa, and the thermal room, and although there is a small casino onboard, we will consider cruising with Celestyal again. This cruise was almost booked to capacity but I never felt “crowded.” Looking forward to our next cruise already!”
Pros and Cons of the Celestyal Journey
The Celestyal Journey, in particular, combines cultural discoveries with the provision of comfort, which means that luxury cruise holidays to Dubai and the Middle East are tourists attractive opportunity. However, as with any tour, it has its positive sides and things that can be worked on. Here, we will briefly assess what we have learned about the Celestyal Journey and weigh its advantages and disadvantages so you can determine whether it is an ideal choice for your next vacation.
Pros:
- Cultural Focus: Cruise lines continue to promote regional focus and authentic ground experiences which are vital to the Arabia region, especially in Dubai and other Arabian Gulf destinations.
- Exceptional Service: The staff are often complimented on their particular concern for the patients.
- Variety of Activities: Whether you come for entertainment or to have a rest, this place will suit you.
Cons:
- Limited Itineraries: If you search for numerous choices, the route in the Middle East has fewer choices than the Mediterranean.
- Older Ship: While they are luxurious, some passengers recommend that the ships be updated in some aspects.
4-Night Family Fun on Celestyal Journey From Dubai in the Gulf
7-Family Friendly Night on Celestyal Journey from Dubai
Conclusion
The Celestyal Journey in Dubai is a way to merge cultural discovery and experiencing comfort aboard a ship that can suit the expectations of people who’d like to discover the joy of Dubai both the ancient and the present days. With an excellent crew, clean and cozy rooms, tasty meals, and interesting entertainment, it’s not surprising that this cruise is loved by guests. A lot of fun activities characterize this stretch ranging from sandy desert nature adventures to the neon-lit horizon of Dubai at night. The Celestyal Journey could be an exceptional and unforgettable vacation plan.
FAQ
- How many hours does the Celestyal Journey in Dubai take?
With most of the packages, tourists set for a tour that takes between 7 and 14 days.
- What kind of shore excursions are available?
These include sightseeing and fauna viewing tours, desert expeditions, and cultural VXs that encompass historical landmarks and trading centers.
- Is the food served onboard prepared taking into consideration the tastes of other continents?
Of course, the restaurants are characterized by a large number of Mediterranean, international, and regional foods for each type of diet.
- How much will a Celestyal Journey cost me in Dubai?
The price depends on the chosen period and the tour type; however, tours start from around USD 1,500 per person for a 7-day program.
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