Idyllic Greece from Athens, 26 September 2026 (7 nights)

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

Good value for money. Staff were wonderful. Only downside was that they took away the tea making facilities and the water from the cafe after lunch