Mediterranean-focused cruise line Celestyal Cruises has officially entered the UK package holiday market with the launch of its new brand, Celestyal Travel. Announced during the prestigious Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards on July 10, this bold initiative marks a pivotal expansion for the cruise line, aiming to meet the growing demand for all-in-one travel experiences from UK consumers and travel agents alike.
Positioned as a fully integrated travel firm, Celestyal Travel will bundle together cruise itineraries with flights, hotels, and curated shore excursions—creating seamless holiday packages tailored for the modern traveller. The offering will primarily target UK holidaymakers looking to explore destinations such as the Greek islands and the Arabian Gulf, while alleviating the hassle of planning multiple travel components separately.
This strategic shift follows consistent feedback from UK travel agents calling for more comprehensive cruise packages that simplify the booking process. “We’ve listened to our agent partners, and this new venture allows us to deliver a complete holiday solution under one roof,” said Lee Haslett, Celestyal Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer. “It’s about empowering agents to sell more, with ease and confidence.”
New UK Office and Dedicated Support Hub in Surrey
As part of its commitment to the UK market, Celestyal Cruises has inaugurated a dedicated office in Guildford, Surrey, which now serves as the brand’s UK headquarters. The site includes a contact centre staffed by five experienced travel professionals, all of whom have personally toured Celestyal’s ships—Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey—to provide agents with first-hand insights and reliable customer service.
The Guildford centre is designed exclusively for UK-based travel agents, enabling faster, localised support. “We’re responding directly to what our agents have been asking for,” said Janet Parton, Vice President of Business Development at Celestyal Cruises and newly appointed Managing Director of Celestyal Travel. “They now have a knowledgeable UK-based team backing them, as well as a product that gives them a competitive edge.”
Seamless Holiday Packages: Cruises, Flights, Hotels, and Shore Experiences
The new Celestyal Travel platform allows travel agents to sell bundled holiday experiences in one straightforward transaction. Gone are the days when agents had to book flights, hotels, and cruise components separately. Instead, Celestyal Travel’s platform delivers an all-inclusive product, simplifying the workflow for agents and offering greater convenience for customers.
The move aligns with a broader trend across the UK and European travel markets: an increasing preference for pre-packaged, immersive, and stress-free holiday experiences. According to a 2024 ABTA report, over 67% of UK travellers prefer all-inclusive or multi-element packages when booking international holidays—making Celestyal’s expansion particularly timely.
The brand’s partnership with Hays Travel Independence Group further strengthens its ability to scale. The collaboration enables Celestyal to integrate third-party flight and hotel inventory into its platform, offering flexible departures from various UK airports and curated stays at top-rated hotels in Athens, Santorini, Doha, and other embarkation ports.
A Strategic Boost for Travel Agents and the UK Cruise Market
For travel agents, the introduction of Celestyal Travel opens up new selling opportunities. The brand’s focus on high-quality cultural immersion, especially in iconic Mediterranean destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete, provides a value proposition that extends far beyond traditional cruise offerings.
Janet Parton added, “Celestyal Travel will help agents offer memorable experiences, not just trips. The added support, competitive pricing, and all-in-one packaging will drive repeat business and customer satisfaction.”
The company is expected to launch an exclusive trade-focused campaign this September to raise awareness among retail travel partners, including in-person training sessions, FAM trips, and a new agent portal with instant package quotations.
Celestyal’s Vision for the Future
Despite being a niche player compared to mega cruise lines, Celestyal Cruises has steadily increased its UK market share in recent years. The brand has become synonymous with destination-focused cruising—offering longer port stays, immersive shore excursions, and a deep dive into Hellenic culture.
The introduction of Celestyal Travel is likely to accelerate this growth, enabling Celestyal to tap into a broader market that includes first-time cruisers, families, and culturally curious travellers seeking a hassle-free holiday option. The expansion also complements Visit Greece’s long-term tourism strategy, which includes promoting year-round island tourism and alternative experiences beyond Athens.
Industry insiders view Celestyal’s pivot into packaged travel as a game-changer for the mid-tier cruise segment. “Cruise travel is evolving, and so must we,” said Haslett. “This move positions us to serve the needs of today’s traveller—who wants choice, ease, and authenticity in one beautifully curated package.”
Looking Ahead: A New Era of Cruise & Stay Travel
As consumer expectations shift towards fully managed holiday experiences, Celestyal Cruises is seizing the moment with a scalable, agent-driven platform. The newly launched Celestyal Travel brand is expected to serve as the foundation for future innovations, possibly including bespoke packages, themed itineraries, and multi-country cruise extensions.
With its Surrey-based support team, strong UK distribution partnerships, and compelling value proposition, Celestyal Cruises is not just adapting—it’s leading a new wave in UK cruise holiday packaging.
For more information, travel agents and customers can visit the official Celestyal Cruises website or reach out via the newly established Guildford contact center.
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