Reviews & Ratings for the Celestyal-Discovery

As the summer season kicks off, passengers can look forward to the return of several prominent cruise ships in May. Starting on May 15, the 'Mein Schiff 5' from TUI Cruises is set to launch its summer voyages from Heraklion to the captivating Eastern Mediterranean. Following closely, on May 17, the 'Mein Schiff 4' will take to the waters from Trieste, establishing itself as the base for exciting Adriatic adventures. Beyond these popular TUI vessels, the 'MSC Euribia,' operated by MSC Cruises, is gearing up for its highly anticipated service commencement in Kiel on May 16. This ship will embark on its inaugural journeys to the stunning Norwegian fjords, albeit starting two weeks later than planned due to logistical constraints from a challenging three-week journey south around Africa. Meanwhile, Celestyal Cruises is busy repositioning its fleet from the Middle East back to the Mediterranean. The movements of both the 'Celestyal Discovery' and 'Celestyal Journey' remain somewhat mysterious, as their AIS systems have been turned off. There’s speculation surrounding their route—whether they’re navigating through the Red Sea and Suez Canal or opting for a southern path around Africa. Recent updates indicate that the 'Celestyal Discovery' is bound for the Suez Canal, while the 'Celestyal Journey' appears to be steering toward Cape Town. Both vessels are expected to begin their operations soon, with 'Celestyal Discovery' set to commence on May 22 from Lavrion, and 'Celestyal Journey' on May 23 from Piraeus. The 'Aroya,' a cruise ship under Aroya Cruises, marks the final vessel to depart the Persian Gulf, anticipated to reach Jeddah on April 27, after navigating the challenging Yemeni coast. If all goes smoothly, 'Aroya' will be ready to welcome guests at the port of Jeddah on May 14. Here’s a quick recap of the upcoming cruise ship launches: - May 14, 2026: Aroya (Aroya Cruises) in Jeddah; - May 15, 2026: Mein Schiff 5 (TUI Cruises) in Heraklion; - May 16, 2026: MSC Euribia (MSC Cruises) in Kiel; - May 17, 2026: Mein Schiff 4 (TUI Cruises) in Trieste; - May 22, 2026: Celestyal Discovery in Lavrion/Athens; - May 23, 2026: Celestyal Journey in Piraeus/Athens.

On April 17, the shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz were reopened by Iranian authorities, marking a momentous occasion for maritime travel. The first cruise vessel to embark from this route was none other than the 'Celestyal Discovery'. Departing from Dubai, the ship now navigates north of Oman at a cruising speed of 17 knots. Setting sail at 11:00 a.m. LT, the timing of the cruise ship's departure raises intriguing questions; was the Cypriot shipping company informed of the imminent opening of the strait or were they merely making an educated guess? Initially, the 'Celestyal Discovery's' AIS indicated Khasab as its destination, a port located prior to entering the strategically important passage. However, just before 6:00 p.m., roughly six hours after leaving Dubai, the vessel updated its destination to Muscat, having successfully passed Khasab. Maintaining an impressive speed of about 17 knots, it continued its journey along the coastal waters of Oman. Remarkably, the route taken is notably further south and hugs the shoreline more closely than the traditional shipping lanes used before the Iran-Iraq War. By 8 p.m., the 'Celestyal Discovery' had navigated past the critical juncture, officially marking its passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Its anticipated journey leads to the Suez Canal, with an estimated arrival time set for April 24. Additionally, preparations are underway for the resumption of cruise operations on May 1 at Lavrion, suggesting a smooth season launch in the Eastern Mediterranean. For this plan to materialize, the shipping company will need to finalize logistics and arrange for crew members to be flown in, ensuring that the 'Celestyal Discovery' is ready for its inaugural season in the region.

Since April 17, the maritime community has witnessed a significant milestone with the successful transit of five cruise ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Notably, the 'MSC Euribia' departed Dubai, completed its passage through the strait, and is currently making its way to Northern Europe. Both the 'Mein Schiff 4' and 'Mein Schiff 5' have also navigated this vital waterway, with TUI highlighting the commendable professionalism and prudence demonstrated by the captains and crews in ensuring safe passage during this challenging transit. All four vessels adhered closely to the Omani coastline during their journey, with Muscat scheduled as the next port of call. Meanwhile, the 'Celestyal Journey' made a brief stop a few nautical miles off Khor Fakkan before continuing its route. These recent passages follow the historic journey of the 'Celestyal Discovery', which marked the first cruise ship to transit the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts, departing Dubai on April 17. Each ship operated with reduced crew numbers for the passage, and the cruise lines are currently evaluating their European routing options, contemplating either the Red Sea and Suez Canal or the more extended path south around Africa. The timely arrival of the 'MSC Euribia' has allowed MSC Cruises to confirm that its upcoming sailings from Kiel on May 16 and Copenhagen on May 17 will proceed as originally planned, with subsequent voyages scheduled accordingly. Additionally, the 'Celestyal Discovery' is poised to resume its regular service in the Eastern Mediterranean on May 1, 2026, embarking on short cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey from Lavrion. Currently, the only ship remaining in the Persian Gulf is Cruise Saudi’s 'Aroya'.

In a significant development, all passengers aboard the 'Celestyal Journey' have successfully disembarked in Dubai following the disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The crew provided essential support to those affected, ensuring that arrangements for onward transport and hotel accommodations were made where needed. Meanwhile, travelers still on the 'Celestyal Discovery'—which is currently docked in Doha, Qatar—are awaiting updates regarding their disembarkation plans which will be communicated to them shortly. Authorities are advising all guests to reach out directly to their airlines and engage with their respective embassies for any necessary flight information and official updates. As the situation unfolds, remaining guests on the 'Celestyal Journey' in Doha will also receive guidance on disembarkation arrangements soon. Travelers are encouraged to stay connected with their airlines to facilitate their travel plans and to ensure they have access to repatriation assistance if required.

As of March 1, passengers aboard TUI Cruises' 'Mein Schiff 4', 'Mein Schiff 5', and the 'MSC Euribia' find themselves in a state of uncertainty while docked at ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. While all passengers have safely returned to their ships, the future remains unclear. The Persian Gulf has been a backdrop to heightened military activities, with unverified reports suggesting recent strikes have extended to the Iranian navy. This turmoil has resulted in the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz, effectively trapping vessels within the Gulf. Only ships associated with China or Russia have been able to navigate through the strait during this tumultuous period. The 'Mein Schiff 4', which was set to depart from Dubai on March 1 for Germany, was also scheduled to welcome around 2,000 new passengers arriving from Germany for a seven-day 'Magic of the Orient' cruise to Oman. However, these plans are now on hold due to the ongoing situation. Another vessel, 'Mein Schiff 5', has seen its passengers stranded in Doha since February 28, following the conclusion of their cruise. Some passengers were en route to the airport when their flights were abruptly turned back, leaving them stuck at the airport for over ten hours before returning to the ship. Amidst ongoing alerts regarding potential missile threats from Qatar’s Civil Defense, passengers aboard the 'Mein Schiff 5' have reported receiving notifications on their smartphones. The ship's captain confirmed ongoing communication with the German embassy and TUI's land operations, aiming to provide updates as they become available. As a precaution, many passengers chose to remain aboard, avoiding the chaos reported at Doha airport which was described as disorganized with long lines and minimal information. Passengers on the 'Mein Schiff 5' were forced to leave their luggage behind at the airport. Those unable to exit the ship were directed to the onboard shop for essential items, including toiletries and underwear, which quickly sold out due to demand. Originally slated to depart Doha at 10 p.m. on March 1 with new passengers, the itinerary remains in limbo. The 'MSC Euribia' has similarly been affected, docking in Port Rashid, Dubai, and also cancelled its planned cruise on March 1, following initial reports of escalating conflict. Additional vessels like the 'Aroya' from Aroya Cruises and the 'Celestyal Discovery' from Celestyal Cruises are also currently docked in Dubai, whilst the 'Celestyal Journey' is alongside 'Mein Schiff 5' in Doha. As developments unfold, the situation for cruise passengers in the UAE remains critical, with many awaiting further updates.