Celestyal Journey Reviews

Overall well organised budget cruise. The ship felt very empty because there were some large groups of Eastern Europeans who generally didn't mix with the westerners. Consequently some of the venues were deserted. Prom deck was always empty. We ate in the Smoked Olive and had excellent service from our waiters Jeffrey, Jerwyn and Yayang (wine). The maitre d' was usually around too. Buffet food was not as appealing but the chilli con carne was good and there was a good salad bar. The desserts looked interesting but we stuck with the fresh fruit due to dietary issues. Entertainment was low key to appeal to all on board and the dancers and singers were very good. The classical violinist was also good but perhaps not appreciated. Other bar entertainers were a little too loud for the spaces. Cabin was good but the cable for the hairdryer was weirdly short especially as it was secured in a drawer.

Great ship, with plenty of bars and restaurants. The entertainment team are really talented. Food was excellent. Staff were very attentive. Would definitely travel with Iglu and Celebrity cruises again.

The excursions were good & nicely organised, space was a little limited within the cabin itself. Internet connection not very good & expensive, spa facilities absolutely amazing, massages brilliant big shout out to Gina who is lovely & very professional.

I came aboard Celestyal Journey with no prior experience of the cruise line and no particular expectations beyond curiosity. As a solo traveller who values good food, a cool and quiet cabin, and a certain level of traditional service, this felt like a useful experiment. Overall, I’ve found the experience to be a mixed but generally positive one — with some clear strengths, a few frustrations, and a sense that this is a cruise line that knows what it is, even if it won’t suit everyone. The Ship & Cabin The ship itself is comfortable rather than showy. Cabins are well laid out, well maintained, and — crucially for me — reliably cool. Air conditioning has been excellent, and the ability to retreat into a genuinely cold, quiet cabin has been one of the highlights. Housekeeping has been consistently cheerful, efficient, and unobtrusive, which matters a great deal when travelling solo. The stewards are clearly well trained and take pride in their work. Public spaces are generally pleasant, though some areas can feel crowded at peak times, particularly around the pool and bars. There is, however, always somewhere quieter to retreat if you are willing to explore a little. Food & Dining Food has been one of the stronger aspects of the cruise, though not without quirks. The main dining room offers formal service in the traditional sense — attentive waiters, table service, and a calm atmosphere — which I appreciated. Menus are broadly Mediterranean in influence, with a noticeable emphasis on fish. Although I love fish, it gets a little too much when two thirds of the main choices have fins. I often found myself carefully navigating the options, though there were usually workable alternatives. When the menu hit the mark, it did so very well: soups, roasts, and desserts were often excellent. Portion sizes were sensible, presentation was thoughtful, and service in the dining room was generally polished. The buffet, while less exciting, was reliable and flexible, especially on port days when schedules changed. Bread, cheese, soups, and salads were consistently good — which, frankly, matters more than endless novelty. Pricing for drinks is not cheap, but occasional promotions (not always clearly advertised) offered reasonable value. Wine by the bottle made far more sense than buying by the glass. Service & Atmosphere Service across the ship has been friendly, sometimes warmly so. Crew members are generally approachable and keen to help, though there are moments when communication falters — particularly in bars, where language barriers and staffing pressures occasionally led to confusion. One notable bar incident highlighted how quickly small problems can escalate when staff are unsupported, though credit where it’s due: issues were ultimately resolved in the guests’ favour. The atmosphere on board is lively, international, and more family-oriented than some cruise lines. There is a strong presence of multigenerational groups, and the ship caters well to them. As a solo traveller, I appreciated the effort made to connect solo guests without forcing interaction — though at times the enthusiasm of staff to “help” could feel a little persistent. Entertainment & Programming Evening entertainment appears diverse and very popular, judging by attendance and audience reaction, though I did not attend the theatre shows myself. Descriptions ranged from themed productions to tribute-style performances, and they clearly drew a crowd most nights. My own experience of entertainment was primarily in the cafés and bars, where the quality was consistently high. In particular, the duo Havana Ritmo in the Blue Bar were excellent — lively, skilled, and well suited to the space, playing Latin-style music (salsa-inspired, I think) that created atmosphere without overwhelming conversation. These smaller venues felt like the ship’s real social heart. Daily programming can feel repetitive, especially for guests staying aboard while others embark or disembark at intermediate ports. That said, if you enjoy choosing your own pace and are happy to retreat with a book, this is easily managed. Ports & Excursions The itinerary itself is interesting, but excursions tend toward the generic: 4x4 desert tours, short cultural stops, and tightly timed museum visits. For travellers new to the region, these will be appealing. For those who have visited before or prefer deeper exploration, independent time on board may be more rewarding. Celestyal does not push excursions aggressively, which I appreciated. Solo Travel Verdict As a solo traveller, I felt safe, comfortable, and generally well looked after. While the ship is not designed specifically for solo cruising, it is accommodating enough if you are independent and content in your own company. There is space for solitude as well as opportunities for sociability — though you may need to assert your preferences gently but firmly. Overall Impression Celestyal Journey is a cruise line that prioritises warmth, informality, and a strong Mediterranean identity. It excels in creating a friendly, communal atmosphere and offers solid food, comfortable cabins, and hardworking staff. It is less strong on polish, consistency in bar service, and excursion variety. Would I sail with Celestyal again? Yes — particularly for itineraries that suit my interests, and with the understanding that this is a cruise best enjoyed at one’s own pace, with realistic expectations.

Food was excellent , drinks are expensive the new celestyal pay makes drinks more than a drinks package would be plus 20 percent service charge on every drink after you paid gratuities is expensive . The excursion were cancelled with no notice and the shore exception desk knew nothing about each port we went to , staff and entertainment team were excellent nothing was to much trouble

We had a lovely time on Celestyal Journey to the Greek Islands. The ship was a good size (not enormous, thankfully) and plenty of lounge space for all passengers. Excursions were well managed and timed for extra time ashore afterwards. Food was of a good standard especially in the main restaurant, but buffet was rather chaotic because of seating space. Overall it was well organised.

The room was extremely good, very spacious and had a bath which my wife loves. We didn’t do any excursions as we,d been to the places several times before. Food was very good especially the buffet in the evenings, no complaints. Only downside for us was the lack of dancing opportunities , there was a lot of karaoke and slow music, other cruises have free style dance during the day and liver music more often in the evenings.

Delighted to return to Celestyal Journey exactly a year after the same cruise - Idyllic Aegean in 2024. This year it is called Idyllic Greece, around the Aegean Sea. What really makes it for us is the Celestyal people, Absolutely friendly, remembering names and preferences within 24 hours. Most evident in the Smoked Olive Restaurant. We enjoyed the 2 shows that we saw; only booked one excursion as we have "done" these destinations several times before. Unfortunately the "sea" part of that excursion was cancelled due to strong winds. Entirely understood and accepted. Apparently, the week before us, actual sunbeds were being blown across the back of deck 10. Great value for money - we were fortunate to have booked early enough to enjoy the Premium Drinks package called Sky High, This is not available anymore. The Junior Suite was exactly as expected. , although a kettle was sorely missed. Other observations about space usage:- I am sure that the central area of deck 6 could be made better use of. Rays on deck 14 is not monitored for Suite only guests - we do not mind this. It would however benefit from a bar / bar service. Below Rays is the Horizons Bar (a crows nest position on most ships) on deck 12. , (no deck 13 exists), however this is closed until 9pm each day. This leaves the front end isolated from bar service - the nearest being a deck down in the centre of the ship. There is a humorous sign on the port side of the Galazio Pool and terrace area (deck 10) that says NO SMOKING. In front of this tables are set out with ash trays. Amusing rather than an issue (for us). Another laugh was how a few people can turn up for the compulsory safety drill, without a life jacket, at the wrong lifeboat station. Embarkation and delivery of suitcases was astonishingly quick - within 45 minutes. Speedy Boarding indeed. I have read the same in other reviews. None of this "pack a deck bag" necessary as with the big ships - where you can wait several hours. Incidentally there were delays both ways with the easyJet part of the package - but not a part of this Celestyal Review of course. Great to have a good mixture of nationalities amongst the guests. We are already considering one of the two 7 night cruises that focus on the Adriatic sea, for next year. Once again, thank you Celestyal.

We had a wonderful cruise. Our suite was superb, the concierges were very helpful, the cabin stewards were excellent and the waiter, the wine waiter and the head waiter were all outstanding. The Celestyal Journey ship was just right - not too many passengers, so always plenty of seating in whichever area we wanted to be. Particularly nice was the cocktail lounge with a pianist or a violinist where we we given a free cocktail of the day each night together with a free hors d’oeuvres. We would recommend this cruise to anyone.

Good Cruise . Only disappointing aspect was the queuing for drinks at the Buffet , and all drinks being in awful plastic tumblers. I'm sure a better system could be established / Swiping our own cards prior to obtaining a drink - in a glass glass . Also - would have appreciated some exercise or aqua classes