Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises is a Greek cruise line specializing in culturally focused voyages around the Greek islands and the wider Eastern Mediterranean.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Celestyal Cruises is a Greek cruise line based in Athens and focused on destination-intensive itineraries in the Greek islands, Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean. The brand was formed in 2014 as the successor to Louis Cruises and Louis Cruise Lines, businesses developed by Cyprus-based Louis plc. Although the Celestyal name is relatively recent, its operating heritage reaches back to the 1970s, when Louis began chartering ferries for short cruises from Cyprus, and to 1987, when it purchased the ferry MV Prinsessan and renamed it MV Princesa Marissa for cruises linking Limassol with the Greek islands, Egypt and Israel. Louis expanded through vessel acquisitions, charter arrangements and partnerships. In the 1990s and 2000s it chartered ships to operators including Thomson Cruises, later Marella Cruises, and developed a presence in both the short-cruise and international charter markets. It also became involved with Royal Olympic Cruises, although that company ultimately collapsed in 2004. Following the collapse, Louis acquired two former Royal Olympic vessels and established Louis Hellenic Cruises for the Greek market. The fleet was subsequently reshaped through acquisitions, charters, disposals and modernization requirements associated with SOLAS 2010. The modern Celestyal brand has concentrated on shorter, port-rich cruises rather than competing primarily through large-ship resort experiences. Its programs have included three-, four- and seven-night voyages from Greek embarkation points, with calls at destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Patmos, Thessaloniki and Kusadasi. The company has promoted a value-oriented proposition built around an inclusive onboard experience, Greek hospitality and access to historically and culturally significant ports. It has also used overnight or extended stays in destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini to differentiate its Aegean programs. Celestyal operated in Cuba for six seasons before withdrawing in 2018 to concentrate on demand generated by its Greek operation. It also explored seasonal expansion beyond its core market, including a planned Adriatic program from Venice. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a broad suspension of sailings beginning in March 2020. Operations resumed in 2021 but were again curtailed later that year because of changing travel restrictions. The company announced a staged restart for March and April 2022. In 2020, Celestyal acquired the former Costa neoRomantica and renamed it Celestyal Experience, but the vessel was later sold as the company prioritized liquidity and chose not to enlarge its fleet during the pandemic. In November 2021, Searchlight Capital Partners acquired a 60 percent stake through a transaction involving Celestyal Holdings. The financing package included senior debt, a revolving credit facility and potential additional development funding. The current operating model is centered on the MS Celestyal Discovery and MS Celestyal Journey, with Athens serving as the principal base. Celestyal remains positioned as a specialist Eastern Mediterranean cruise company with a strong emphasis on Greek destinations, regional culture and relatively compact itineraries.
History
Celestyal Cruises emerged from the cruise operations of Louis plc, a Cyprus-based travel and tourism group founded in 1935. Louis entered cruising during the 1970s by chartering ferries for short voyages from Cyprus. In 1987 it purchased the MV Prinsessan from Birka Line for approximately $4 million, renamed the vessel MV Princesa Marissa, and placed it into service under the newly established Louis Cruise Lines name. The ship operated routes from Limassol to the Greek islands, Egypt and Israel. By the mid-1990s, Louis had acquired additional vessels and was active in both direct cruise operations and ship chartering. The company chartered ships to major holiday operators, including Thomson Cruises, and expanded its fleet through acquisitions during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It acquired an interest in Royal Olympic Cruises in 1999, but that operator was ultimately unable to survive the combined pressures of financial difficulty and the post-September 2001 collapse in cruise demand. After Royal Olympic failed in 2004, Louis purchased two former vessels and created Louis Hellenic Cruises for the Greek market. Fleet development continued through purchases and charters involving vessels such as Calypso, Aquamarine, Orient Queen and Sea Diamond. The sinking of Sea Diamond off Santorini in April 2007 became a major negative event in the history of the Louis business. Most passengers were evacuated, but two people died and the incident generated substantial criticism and publicity. Temporary replacement ships were used while Louis introduced Louis Cristal into service. The company also acquired and chartered ships connected with Thomson and other operators, although some proposed purchases were canceled, including the planned acquisition of Norwegian Dream in 2008 because of reported technical issues. Louis Cruise Lines changed its name to Louis Cruises in 2009. During the following years the fleet was reduced and modernized in response to operating conditions and SOLAS 2010 requirements. Older ships including Sapphire, The Emerald, Calypso and Coral were eventually sold or scrapped. In 2014 the company introduced a refreshed Louis livery, while the Celestyal Cruises identity became the principal consumer-facing brand for its Greek and regional operations. Celestyal invested in its remaining ships in 2015, adding balconies to Celestyal Crystal and refurbishing cabins and suites on Celestyal Olympia. It temporarily paused calls at Turkish ports in 2016 after the failed coup in Turkey. The company expanded distribution through partnerships with agencies and tour operators, launched a redesigned website in 2017, and extended its Greek season with longer Aegean itineraries. It withdrew from Cuba in 2018 after five seasons and concentrated on Greece. The pandemic caused Celestyal to suspend sailings from March 2020. The company acquired the former Costa neoRomantica during the pandemic and renamed it Celestyal Experience, but later sold the vessel rather than expand the fleet while demand remained uncertain. Celestyal resumed limited cruising in June 2021, paused again amid renewed restrictions, and announced a staged restart for 2022. In November 2021, Searchlight Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Celestyal Holdings, with Louis plc becoming the minority partner. The company now operates as a specialist Greek and Eastern Mediterranean cruise line, centered on compact itineraries, regional destinations and an inclusive value proposition.
- 2021
Searchlight becomes majority owner
[1]Searchlight Capital Partners acquires 60 percent of Celestyal Holdings and provides financing for the business.
- 2020
Pandemic suspension and brand refresh
[1]The company suspends cruises during the pandemic, introduces a refreshed identity and acquires the former Costa neoRomantica as Celestyal Experience.
- 2018
Cuba program ends
[1]Celestyal withdraws from Cuba after five seasons to focus on its Greek operation.
- 2015
Fleet refurbishment
[1]Celestyal adds balconies to Celestyal Crystal and refurbishes cabins and suites on Celestyal Olympia.
- 2014
Celestyal Cruises is formed
[1]The Celestyal Cruises brand is established as the successor to Louis Cruises and Louis Cruise Lines.
- 2009
Louis Cruise Lines becomes Louis Cruises
[1]The company changes its operating name as it continues restructuring its fleet and brands.
- 2007
Sea Diamond sinks off Santorini
[1]The Louis-operated Sea Diamond sinks near Santorini; most passengers are evacuated, but two people die.
- 2004
Louis Hellenic Cruises is established
[1]After Royal Olympic Cruises collapses, Louis acquires two former ships and creates a Greek-market cruise brand.
- 1987
MV Princesa Marissa enters service
[1]Louis purchases MV Prinsessan, renames it MV Princesa Marissa and launches cruises under the Louis Cruise Lines brand.
- 1970
Louis enters cruise chartering
[1]Louis begins chartering ferries for short cruises from Cyprus.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented, culturally focused regional cruise line offering intimate, port-intensive voyages centered on Greece, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Cruise ship
Celestyal Discovery
One of Celestyal's two operating cruise ships. It supports the company's regional model, carrying guests on itineraries centered on Greek islands, Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Cruise ship
Celestyal Journey
One of the two ships identified as part of Celestyal's current fleet. It is used for destination-oriented voyages in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Cruise itinerary
Idyllic Aegean
A signature Aegean itinerary linking Greek island destinations and nearby regional ports. The program has been offered in shorter and longer formats and is built around cultural visits, scenic destinations and extended port experiences.
Cruise itinerary · 2021
Legendary Archipelago
A regional itinerary introduced with Celestyal Olympia that included Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, Agios Nikolaos, Rhodes and Limassol. It illustrates Celestyal's emphasis on multi-port Eastern Mediterranean journeys.
Cruise ship · 2020
Celestyal Experience
The former Costa neoRomantica, acquired during the pandemic and renamed Celestyal Experience. Celestyal later sold the vessel rather than expand its fleet while the effects of COVID-19 continued.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Experience Life, Experience the Journey
International
Celestyal introduced a refreshed logo and brand identity intended to express Greek cultural character and a modern interpretation of the company's identity.
Outcome. The refreshed branding was planned to debut on Celestyal Experience, although that ship was later sold.
- 2019Cruising with Jane McDonald: Idyllic Aegean
United Kingdom · Greece
A later series featured Celestyal's Idyllic Aegean cruise and Greek island itinerary.
Outcome. The program provided destination-focused television exposure for the Greek operation.
- 2017Celestyal Inclusive Experience
International
Celestyal promoted its value proposition through the Celestyal Inclusive Experience and redesigned its website to combine cruise information, company news and program details.
Outcome. The program became part of the brand's value-oriented positioning.
- 2017Cruising with Jane McDonald
United Kingdom · Cuba
Celestyal was featured in Channel 5's Cruising with Jane McDonald, including a Cuban voyage visiting Havana, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba and Montego Bay.
Outcome. The television exposure showcased Celestyal's Cuban cruise product to a UK audience.
- 2017REC music-video production
Greece
Greek urban pop band REC filmed material onboard Celestyal Olympia.
Brand decisions
2021
Searchlight Capital Partners investmentM&ABackground
Celestyal required capital and financial flexibility during the prolonged pandemic disruption.
Action taken
Searchlight Capital Partners acquired 60 percent of Celestyal Holdings. The transaction included €30 million in senior debt financing, a €10 million revolving credit facility and provision for up to an additional €30 million in funding.
Aftermath
Celestyal became a separately structured business with Searchlight as majority owner and Louis plc as minority partner.
Financing facilities. €30 million senior debt financing, €10 million revolving credit facility, and up to €30 million additional funding (2021 transaction)
2020
Acquisition of Costa neoRomanticaProduct launchBackground
Celestyal sought to acquire a vessel during the COVID-19 period and planned to introduce it under the refreshed brand.
Action taken
The former Costa neoRomantica was renamed Celestyal Experience.
Aftermath
Celestyal later decided not to enlarge its fleet and sold the ship, which was subsequently renamed Antares Experience before being scrapped.
2020
Suspension of cruise operationsStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions severely disrupted international cruising.
Action taken
Celestyal suspended cruises from 13 March 2020 and extended the pause as uncertainty continued.
Aftermath
Limited cruising resumed in June 2021, followed by another suspension of autumn and winter operations and a planned restart in 2022.
2018
Withdrawal from CubaStrategyBackground
Celestyal had operated in Cuba for five seasons while demand in its Greek business was growing.
Action taken
The company ended its Cuban cruise program and redirected attention toward Greece.
Aftermath
Celestyal concentrated its network and marketing on Greek and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries.
2016
Temporary suspension of Turkish port callsStrategyBackground
The failed coup in Turkey created uncertainty around port operations and travel conditions.
Action taken
Celestyal temporarily paused calls at Turkish ports.
Aftermath
The company continued developing Aegean itineraries that included Turkish destinations when operating conditions permitted.
Recent events
Celestyal Cruises announces partnership with Versonix[2]
Celestyal Cruises announced a strategic partnership with Versonix, which will provide Celestyal with the Seaware Reservations Platform.
Celestyal Cruises announces Christmas cruise sale[3]
Celestyal Cruises announced a Christmas sale on qualifying 2021 all-inclusive cruises, with fares starting at €279 per person and bookings available until January 10, 2021.
Celestyal Cruises launches Black Friday and HERO’S discount offers[4]
Celestyal Cruises launched a Black Friday campaign for selected 2021 and 2022 cruises and a HERO’S discount offer for qualifying first responders, healthcare workers and their immediate family members.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Sources5 sources
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