Celestyal Discovery adds 47...

Ship’s premium capacity increases 50% for December sailings

Celestyal Discovery will make its Arabian Gulf cruise debut in December 2025 following a winter refit that has added 47 new staterooms.

The ship’s premium capacity has increased by 50%, with 30 Junior Dream Suites and two Grand Horizon Suites with balconies added above the bridge, plus 15 Cosmos Cabins, increasing overall capacity by 7% to 1,360 guests.

New Grand Horizon Suite with balcony

The premium cabins were enhanced to meet “growing demand for more space and comfort, while retaining the small-ship service", according to Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal.

Each new accommodation incorporates elements inspired by the regions the ship visits, including Arabian design details.

New Grand Horizon Suite

The ship, which has four restaurants, seven bars, a swimming pool and a spa, will sail the Mediterranean before heading to the Gulf for the first time where it will join sister vessel Celestyal Discovery, which returns to the region on 6 December 2025 with an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sailing.

Both ships will offer three-, four- and seven-night cruises from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha through to March 2026 and will return for the next three years. The refreshed Celestyal Discovery will homeport from Abu Dhabi, following a three-year agreement with The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

Celestial Discovery’s Iconic Arabia winter itineraries include a weekly, three-night roundtrip cruise from Abu Dhabi calling at Dubai and private nature reserve Sir Bani Yas Island. Sailings are Friday to Monday and start from US$339 (AED1,245), part of Celestyal's summer promotion which runs until 31 August 2025.

A four-night cruise, sailing from Monday to Friday, calls at Doha, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Khasab in Oman, with prices starting at US$429 (AED1,560). Both sailings can be combined into a seven-night journey, costing US$689 (AED2,530).

Sister ship Celestyal Journey in Dubai last season

The addition of Ras Al Khamiah in the north of the UAE is based on feedback from passengers and travel agents, with the operator recently signing a three-year partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority to promote the emirate as a premier cruise destination.

More itineraries are including Middle East ports as cruise tourism in the region is on the rise and set to be further accelerated and improved by Connections Cruise Arabia. The game-changing two-day cruise event, taking place in March 2026, will bring together more than 300 senior cruise leaders and influencers from across the global to shape the future of the sector.

For more information, visit www.celestyal.com; for all the latest cruise news, bookmark www.connectingtravel.com/cruise