For This Greek Cruise Line, The Journey Is All About the Destinations

Despite being based in Vancouver, a central cruise hub, I’d never been on a cruise before. By the end of my trip on board Celestyal Journey, I discovered that Celestyal’s destination-focused approach was an excellent introduction to life at sea.

Life on board Celestyal Journey

I boarded Celestyal Journey at the Piraeus port in Athens for its seven-day Heavenly Greece, Italy, and Croatia itinerary. With 13 decks, 630 staterooms, and a 1,260-passenger capacity, the ship strikes a comfortable balance: large enough to offer a variety of amenities yet small enough that it never feels overwhelming.

If you’re looking for a ship with the latest bells and whistles, Celestyal Journey may not be the right fit. Originally Holland America’s Ryndam, the vessel was acquired by Celestyal in 2023 and, after a $21 million refurbishment, was reborn as Celestyal Journey, the second addition to the cruise line’s fleet. While you might not find the newest or most luxurious facilities onboard, you’ll find a more authentic experience.

Common praise I heard from guests was that they appreciated the genuine experience. The cruise line embraces its Greek heritage with thoughtful touches that bring the culture aboard. From themed dance nights where guests are encouraged to dress in white to traditional gyros, tastings of ouzo and mastika (Greek spirits), and even live olive trees in the suites, Celestyal gives guests a taste of Greece throughout the journey. This sentiment extends to the excursions, as well, where the spotlight is on the destinations, moving beyond the ship-focused experiences of traditional cruises to offer deeper, more authentic adventures ashore.

I was relieved to find reliable WiFi onboard. While I needed to reconnect each night, the connection remained strong throughout the week for my browsing, emailing, and messaging needs. Additional data can be purchased if required, but the basic WiFi should be more than enough for most.

WiFi is included in the Celestyal One fare, along with dining (buffet, dining room, and deli), basic beverages (coffee, tea, water, soda, and juice), onboard activities and entertainment (including evening shows), and all port fees and gratuities. Specialty dining, premium coffee, and select cocktails come at an additional cost. Guests can pay by charging expenses to their onboard account or using CelestyalPay — a prepaid food and drink tab that can be loaded with funds, with a bonus for those who pre-purchase in advance.

Comfortable cabins and spacious suites: Staterooms on board Celestyal Journey

Celestyal Journey has five stateroom types. Guests have the choice between an interior cabin, which features curtains to create the illusion of windows, and an exterior cabin, which, in some cases, also includes a bathtub. The bed types in the cabins include a mix of queen, double sofa, and single upper bunk beds.

Suite options begin with the Junior Dream Suites (290 square feet) and Grand Dream Suites (570 square feet), both of which have a separate seating area and a private balcony. The most elevated option is the two-bedroom Stargazer Penthouse Suite, which is an impressive 1,140 square feet and includes a private dining area and a jet tub.

I stayed in one of the Grand Dream Suites, and it was spacious enough that I forgot I was on a cruise ship at times. My suite was furnished with a king bed, sofa, vanity desk, and walk-in wardrobe. While some interior and exterior staterooms featured US outlets, all the outlets in the suite were European, so bringing an adapter is a must. The bathroom was a good size — nothing fancy but clean and stocked with the basics like shampoo and shower gel, although there was no conditioner. What took me by surprise, though, was the massive balcony. It easily fits a round table with chairs and two loungers for taking in the sea views.

Beyond the extra space, booking a suite comes with some additional perks. Guests staying in a Junior Dream Suite enjoy priority check-in and access to Smoked Olive, one of the specialty restaurants. Grand Dream Suite guests receive the same perks, plus dedicated concierge services, daily canapés, access to the suite-exclusive sundeck and lounge, complimentary access to the thermal suite, and happy hour drinks at Fizz Club, one of the bars on board. The occupants of the Stargazer Penthouse Suite enjoy all the same benefits, plus complimentary minibar access, in-room dining, and laundry services.

Swim, pamper, and play: Amenities and activities on board Celestyal Journey

While the emphasis is on simplicity over luxury for the ship, there’s still plenty to do on board between ports. Guests who want to stay active can do so at one of the two pools, the gym, or the basketball and tennis courts. There are also various activities, such as quizzes or language, dance, and art lessons. Although the ship’s family-friendly facilities are limited, a kids’ club and a simple video arcade can be found on board. In terms of entertainment, there’s a modest casino, theater, and disco for dancing and karaoke.

I booked a Swedish massage for the end of the trip, which was excellent timing after a week of excursions. After the massage, I relaxed in the thermal suite, which features five heated loungers, two saunas, and a jacuzzi. Access to the thermal suite is complimentary for Grand Dream and Stargazer Penthouse guests and costs nine euros (around $10) for all other passengers.

Dining and drinking on board Celestyal Journey

There are three dining options included with the Celestyal One fare. For something fast and flavorful, the Greek Deli serves up pork and chicken gyros — best enjoyed with a generous drizzle of tzatziki sauce. The main dining room, Thalassa (meaning ocean), combines Mediterranean and international cuisine, featuring a daily rotating menu. Guests can also find the standard, self-serve buffet at Taverna.

Celestyal also has some specialty options at an additional cost. Smoked Olive features contemporary Mediterranean dishes, serving the same menu as the main dining room but in a more upscale and quieter environment, as it’s primarily for suite guests. For a taste of the East, Pink Moon serves a variety of South Asian dishes, including Thai udon and Vietnamese phở. Chef’s Table provides a more intimate option for private or group dining, with multi-course menus.

At Grill Seekers, meat and seafood take center stage, so I opted for the surf and turf for the best of both worlds. The meal was followed by a standout dessert: warm kunafeh, a sweet, salty, and crunchy oven-baked Middle Eastern pastry stuffed with cheese. There’s also Fig & Honey, where I grabbed a smoothie most mornings — though the juice bar also offers açaí bowls, milkshakes, fresh juices, and gelato.

With nine bars and lounges spread throughout the ship, there’s no shortage of places to sip and socialize. While Fizz Club is available to all guests, suite occupants enjoy complimentary drinks and bites daily from 6 to 6:30 PM. For something bolder, bartenders at the Blue Bar & Lounge concoct alchemy cocktails — beautifully crafted drinks that taste as impressive as they look. Located at the heart of the ship, Martini Piano Bar & Lounge is a cozy spot for cocktails and live entertainment — one of the liveliest nights onboard was the magic show.

Tucked away within the Martini Bar is the unassuming Champagne bar. For those who prefer to enjoy their drinks poolside, both Halara Cove and Galazio pools have their own bars. At Horizons Bar & Disco, guests can enjoy cocktails and live music. When it comes to caffeine fixes, Cafe Nation serves up a variety of specialty coffee options. Rounding out the list is the wine bar Grapevine, which offers a selection of both local and international varieties to enjoy.

Landscapes and local delights: Excursions from Celestyal Journey

Celestyal’s carefully curated itineraries allow travelers to experience both popular and lesser-known destinations. Although none of the places we visited were particularly high on my travel list, I would now gladly return to any of them.

Over seven days, we visited six ports: scenic Kefalonia in Greece, historical Dubrovnik in Croatia, breathtaking Kotor in Montenegro, charming Bari in Italy, and back to Greece for vibrant Corfu and Katakolo, where we visited the storied ruins of Olympia. At each destination, various excursions are available for different interests and activity levels. The excursion brochure details the duration and difficulty, but it’s a little vague. For example, the difficulty was rated a four for the off-roading excursion in Kotor, but there was no mention of the hike.

While you’ll find the typical guided walking tours among the excursions, there are also more adventurous options for those seeking something more adrenaline-inducing. While the crowd skews older (50+), I also noticed many multi-generational families on board, and the diverse range of activities caters to this mix, delivering something for every age and interest. Despite the excursions feeling somewhat rushed — a common reality of cruise itineraries — I appreciated that all the excursions we took aimed to provide a meaningful glimpse into the local culture while still allowing travelers time to explore independently.

Diving into the destinations: A gateway to great escapes

My cruise’s first stop was Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian islands. After docking at Argostoli, the island’s main port, we headed to Drogarati Cave, descending 160 steps to an astounding display of stalactites and stalagmites over 100 million years old. The vast cave measures approximately 213 feet by 148 feet and is roughly 66 feet high – unsurprising, given that the geological formations grow one centimeter every century, but no less extraordinary. Next, we headed to Melissani Lake and the Cave of the Nymphs, where a rowboat ferried us through the cave’s mesmerizing waters, which are most vibrant between noon and 2 PM.

Next, the ship sailed to Dubrovnik, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. The limestone-covered Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is layered with history and architectural styles. Our excursion began with a walk through the city, where many of Dubrovnik’s local specialties were on display – rožata (custard pudding), candied lemon and orange peels, sugared almonds, and grappa (a type of brandy distilled from grape pomace), to name a few. From there, we visited two wineries to sample local liquor. Dubrovnik was the only stop with a late-night departure, so there was plenty of time after the tour to explore at our own pace and experience the city at night without the crowds.

The next stop was the town of Kotor. The journey through the narrow fjord is incredibly scenic (although I missed our early morning arrival, I caught the stunning views when we departed in the afternoon). Kotor’s small port only fits one ship at a time, so we docked farther out and took a tender to shore. Then we filed into buggies that took us along the famous serpentine road with its 25 hairpin turns, then up the rocky mountain paths. The off-roading adventure was a highlight of the trip, offering both thrills and spectacular scenery as we climbed higher up the mountain. At a clearing, we enjoyed local cheese and ham before continuing to take in panoramic views of Boka Bay.

The next stop was Bari, where the locals have a saying to illustrate the city’s character and charm: “If Paris was by the sea, it would be like a small Bari.” Our first stop, however, was nearby Alberobello, another UNESCO World Heritage site that’s famous for its Trulli houses, which are traditional stone dwellings with unique cone-shaped roofs. The town’s name means “beautiful tree,” a nod to the forest that once covered the area. Wandering through the narrow streets lined with these distinctive structures, I picked up a handmade hand towel adorned with an olive tree, symbolizing the many varieties in the Puglia region. Before leaving, we headed back to Bari’s idyllic old town to explore.

Our penultimate stop brought us back to Greece — to Corfu (Kerkyra), the greenest Greek island, thanks to its high rainfall and humidity. The day began at Achilleion Palace, built for Austrian Empress Elisabeth (known as Sisi) and home to many Greek statues and sculptures. Next was Kanoni, one of Corfu’s most photographed spots, offering postcard-perfect views of the Panagia Vlacherna church and Mouse Island (Pontikonisi), named for its tiny, mouse-like shape. In town, we browsed the stalls and stores of local artisans. Corfu is a popular holiday destination, and we passed by the square where giant red vases are famously smashed during Easter celebrations. Before heading back, we stopped by the popular Papagiorgis Patiserie-Gelateria, where treats feature local ingredients such as kumquats and almonds. The namesake gelato is a house specialty: vanilla with seasonal wild strawberry, cinnamon, and almonds.

Our final stop was Katakolon, where we visited the ruins of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. This stop was probably the most crowded, but that didn’t take away from how incredible it was to see the landmarks steeped in myth and history — like the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic flame was once lit using mirrors to reflect the sun, and the former site of the colossal statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The day concluded at a local winery, where we tasted four wines paired with cheese, tomatoes, cured meats, and biscuits made with grape syrup.

After a week on board Celestyal Journey, I came away with countless memories and one final takeaway: For first-time cruisers, Celestyal offers a solid introduction to cruising — intimate, immersive, and all about destinations.