The Celestyal Journey made her inaugural call at Agios Nikolaos, Crete on May 12, 2026. 

According to a statement, this port will replace a stop that was previously made in Heraklion during Celstyal’s seven-night “Idyllic Greece” itinerary.

Sailing roundtrip from Athens, the cruise calls at Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes; Agios Nikolaos; Santorini; Mykonos; and Milos. 

“Agios Nikolaos has a growing role as a cruise destination and is a fantastic addition to our ‘Idyllic Greece’ itinerary. It perfectly reflects the type of call our guests are increasingly looking for, combining iconic Mediterranean hotspots with rising star ports that offer a more authentic experience,” said Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal. 

“Our 2026 summer season is built around delivering authentically Mediterranean experiences through immersive itineraries, warm hospitality and our signature premium casual approach to cruising. We’re proud to continue expanding our presence across the Greek Islands and showcasing destinations like Agios Nikolaos to an international audience.”

Representatives from the destination and local authorities were welcomed onboard by the ship’s Captain Angelos Vasilakos and crew to mark the occasion. 

Agios Nikolaos is a resort town that Celesytal says is less frequently visited by cruise ships than some other, more traditional Greek ports.  

The ship is scheduled to call at the port an additional 21 times throughout the 2026 season, running until November. 

Fares for the “Idyllic Greece” itinerary starting at $959 per person are available as part of Celestyal’s “Iconic Sale” campaign running until June 30, 2026.  

The Celestyal Journey was one of the two ships from the cruise line’s fleet stranded in the Persian Gulf, the second one being the Celestyal Discovery. 

They returned to the Mediterranean in April, welcoming back guests in early May.