The return of Rhodes to Celestyal’s 7-night itineraries and the inclusion of Agios in the company’s programme as a regular port of call highlight two emblematic Greek destinations, with a significant contribution to the local economy, the enrichment of the tourism product and the sustainable development of cruising.
· 54 calls to Rhodes in 2026, with 30 calls by Celestyal Discovery and 24 by Celestyal Journey.
· 22 calls to Agios Nikolaos in 2026, with 28 calls annually during the 2027–2028 period.
· €75 million total contribution to Rhodes and 700,000 guests for the 2014–2028 period.
· €3.5 million annual contribution to Agios Nikolaos and 33,600 guests annually for the 2026–2028 period.
· €149.37 million total annual contribution by Celestyal to the Greek economy in 2025.
· 647,058 cruise guest visits, 118,114 homeporting guests and 568 total calls by Celestyal’s ships in 2025.
With Rhodes making a dynamic return to its 7-night itineraries and Agios Nikolaos, Crete, securing a steady position in its itineraries, Celestyal is strengthening its presence in two destinations with distinctive identity, tourism potential and meaningful value for Greek cruising. The official welcome events for Celestyal Journey in Rhodes and Agios Nikolaos were attended by the company’s senior leadership team, underlining the strategic importance Celestyal places on the two destinations, as well as by representatives of local government, port authorities and local stakeholders, who extended a warm welcome to the ship, its guests and crew.
Celestyal’s presence in Rhodes and Agios Nikolaos forms part of a broader development model that supports sustainable cruising, the promotion of authentic destinations and the geographical dispersal of tourism flows. The company invests both in established destinations with strong international appeal and in destinations with significant potential for further growth, creating value that remains within local communities and strengthens the country’s overall tourism offering.
In Rhodes, the reintroduction of the destination to Celestyal’s 7-night programme reinforces the company’s long-standing presence in the Mediterranean’s most recognizable destinations, with a strong historical, cultural and tourism identity. In 2026, the company has scheduled 54 calls to the island, including 30 by Celestyal Discovery and 24 by Celestyal Journey, while the programme is further strengthened with 68 calls in 2027 and 69 in 2028. Overall, for the 2014–2028 period, Celestyal is expected to have carried 700,000 guests to Rhodes, making 672 calls and generating a total contribution of €75 million to the local economy.
In Agios Nikolaos, the destination’s steady inclusion in Celestyal’s programme marks a new phase for cruise development in Eastern Crete. The company had already recognized the destination’s potential in 2021, when it operated 20 calls during the June–September period. Today, Agios Nikolaos has secured a stable position in the company’s seven-night programme, with 22 calls in 2026 and 28 calls annually during the 2027–2028 period, confirming its momentum as a rising cruise destination.
The selection of Agios Nikolaos is a strategic investment in a destination that combines natural beauty, authentic local identity, history, gastronomy and the potential for meaningful connection with visitors. With an estimated annual contribution of €3.5 million and approximately 33,600 guests per year for the 2026–2028 period, Agios Nikolaos is strengthening Eastern Crete’s position on the cruise map, creating opportunities for the local economy, professionals, producers and the wider region.
Across Crete as a whole, Celestyal’s contribution has been significant over time, with the company having carried more than 1.5 million guests to the island during the 2014–2025 period. The steady inclusion of Agios Nikolaos further expands this relationship, highlighting the eastern side of Crete as a destination with a distinctive identity and growing momentum.
The experience Celestyal offers in the two destinations begins onboard and continues ashore. In Rhodes, guests have the opportunity to discover the Medieval City, Ancient Lindos and its Acropolis, as well as the contemporary life of a place with historical continuity and international appeal. In Agios Nikolaos, the experience connects the sea with the Cretan land, through visits to olive groves, a traditional cheese dairy, local products and flavours, as well as Spinalonga, a place of particular historical and emotional depth.
Cooperation with local authorities, professionals, guides, producers and local communities plays a central role in this approach. Through these partnerships, Celestyal aims to enrich the tourism product of each destination, offer authentic experiences to its guests and support the local economy in a meaningful and sustainable way.
The event in Rhodes brought together key local stakeholders, including Mr Vasilis Vagianakis, President of the Municipal Port Fund of South Dodecanese; Mr Anastasios Konstantaros, Cruise Advisor to the Port Fund; Mr Nikos Pavlakidis, Tourism Councillor; and Mr Christos Michalakis, Deputy Regional Governor for Culture, who also attended in his capacity as President of the Association of Travel Agencies of Dodecanese.
The Agios Nikolaos event featured addresses by the Mayor of Agios Nikolaos, Mr Manolis Menegakis; Celestyal Cruises CEO, Mr Chris Theophilides; the Captain of Celestyal Journey, Captain Angelos Vasilakos; the President of the Municipal Port Fund of Agios Nikolaos, Mr Dimitris Agapitos; the Deputy Regional Governor for Lasithi, Mr Giannis Androulakis; the Cruise Advisor to the Municipal Port Fund, Mr Giannis Bras; and the Port Master of Agios Nikolaos, Lieutenant Commander HCG Mr Konstantinos Pattakos.
Mr Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestyal, said: “Rhodes and Agios Nikolaos are two destinations with distinctive identity, authentic hospitality and significant value for Greek cruising. The return of Rhodes to our 7-night itineraries and the steady inclusion of Agios Nikolaos in our programme reflect our commitment to investing in destinations that can offer meaningful experiences to our guests and real benefits to local communities. For us, every call is an opportunity to showcase Greece in an authentic, responsible and sustainable way, creating value that remains in the destination.”
The Mayor of Agios Nikolaos, Mr Manolis Menegakis, underlined that “cruising is one of the most important pillars of tourism for the region, with significant prospects for further development. Celestyal’s philosophy and characteristics are aligned with the identity and potential of Agios Nikolaos, while there is room to further strengthen our cooperation by highlighting more experiences and points of interest across the wider area. It is particularly important that this cooperation promotes the destination’s identity and showcases its competitive advantages.”
The Deputy Regional Governor for Lasithi, Mr Ioannis Androulakis, said: “Celestyal’s decision to include Agios Nikolaos in its itineraries is a vote of confidence in the potential of our destination and a recognition of the systematic and coordinated effort made by the Municipal Port Fund of Agios Nikolaos, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, cruise tourism professionals and the entire local community, so that the destination can offer services and experiences that meet the expectations of visitors and leading cruise companies. Lasithi has all the characteristics sought by the modern traveller: unique natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, authentic experiences, exceptional gastronomy and renowned Cretan hospitality. The presence of Celestyal Journey in Agios Nikolaos confirms that our destination can meet the demands of modern cruising and offer high-level experiences to its visitors.”
The President of the Municipal Port Fund of Agios Nikolaos, Mr Dimitris Agapitos, stated: “Celestyal is not simply a cruise company. It is one of the most important ambassadors of Greek cruising and a company that promotes Greece and its destinations around the world. The trust Celestyal places in our destination confirms that the efforts made in recent years are bearing fruit and that Agios Nikolaos is gaining an increasingly strong position on the cruise map of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our port, located literally within the city, the easy access to the most important sights of Eastern Crete, the authentic experiences and the local community that embraces cruising all create a distinctive experience for every visitor. We look forward to continuing and further strengthening this relationship in the years ahead.”
Mr Ioannis Bras, CEO of Five Senses Consulting and Seatrade Ambassador, noted: “The presence of Celestyal Journey in Agios Nikolaos is a clear message of confidence from a leading Greek cruise company that understands very well what modern travellers are looking for and which destinations can meet their expectations. In recent years, we have worked systematically to promote Agios Nikolaos as a destination that offers quality, authenticity and meaningful experiences to cruise visitors. Celestyal’s presence and the trust it shows in us are an important part of this journey.”
Celestyal continues to strengthen its presence in Greece, showcasing the diversity of Greek destinations and investing in a cruise model that combines authenticity, quality, cooperation and sustainable development. Through Rhodes and Agios Nikolaos, the company confirms its role as an ambassador of Greek hospitality and a strategic partner of local communities in the development of a more balanced, outward-looking and meaningful model of maritime tourism.