More than 80 participants have taken their first professional steps through the company’s long-standing internship programme since 2014.
Celestyal held the first Celestyal Intern Conference on July 16, with the participation of 11 young people from Greece, marking another important milestone in the evolution of the company’s long-standing internship programme. Since welcoming its first intern in 2014, more than 80 university and vocational students have gained first-hand experience of the multifaceted cruise and maritime environment, bridging academic learning with real-world professional experience.
The initiative began in summer 2014 through a partnership with the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport at the University of the Aegean, when the first student undertook a two-month placement with Fleet Personnel. This initial placement laid the foundations for an enduring relationship with the University of the Aegean, which remains the programme’s longest-standing and primary academic partner.
Over the years, the initiative has expanded to welcome young people from universities and educational institutions in Greece and internationally. These include the University of Piraeus, Athens University of Economics and Business, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ALBA Graduate Business School, ESCP Business School, Cyprus University of Technology, the University of Greenwich, the University of Sussex, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the University of St Andrews, as well as vocational education providers in Greece, Cyprus and Spain.
Through Erasmus+, students and trainees from European educational institutions have also joined Celestyal teams across its international markets. The company’s engagement with the educational community expanded into secondary education in 2019 through its participation in the Athens College Career Guidance programme (job shadowing), giving pupils the opportunity to observe the day-to-day operation of different professional fields.
More than 15 career pathways
Cruising is a complex ecosystem where shipping, tourism, hospitality, technology, commercial operations and guest service come together. This diversity is also reflected in the internship placements offered by the company.
Participants have been placed across Fleet Personnel, Marine Operations, Hotel Operations, Passenger Services, Shore Excursions, Travel and Experience, Business Development, Revenue Management, Reservations and Contact Centre, Finance, Accounting, Purchasing, People and Culture, Marketing and Public Relations, Digital and Information Systems.
With the guidance of Celestyal executives and mentors, interns become part of the teams’ day-to-day work and gain exposure to real professional responsibilities. Depending on the format of each intake, the programme also includes workshops, support with CV preparation and interview skills, as well as activities designed to introduce participants to the company’s product and the wider operation of the cruise industry.
For some participants, the internship has marked the beginning of a longer-term professional relationship with the company. According to available data, eight former interns went on to work with Celestyal, while five remain part of its teams today, across departments including Business Development, Travel and Shore Excursions, Accounting and Hotel Operations.
The 2026 intake and the first Celestyal Intern Conference
The 2026 programme includes ten students from the University of the Aegean, one student from the University of Piraeus and one student from IES Virgen de la Paz in Spain through Erasmus+. The latter joined Celestyal’s Business Development team in the Spanish market and completed his internship in May 2026.
The first Celestyal Intern Conference brought together this year’s interns, company executives and their mentors, creating a shared space for learning, dialogue and the exchange of experience. Through presentations, thematic discussions and the exchange of views and ideas, participants explored different aspects of the company’s operations, engaged with industry professionals and gained a fuller understanding of the career paths available to them.
Captain George Koumpenas, Chief Operating Officer, Celestyal, said: “For more than a decade, the internship programme has served as a meaningful bridge between education and the cruise and maritime industries. Our aim is to equip young people with knowledge, guidance and a rounded experience, while their creativity and fresh perspectives also contribute to our own development. Through the first Celestyal Intern Conference, we are further strengthening learning, collaboration and the exchange of knowledge.”
Irene Apostolou, Human Resources Manager, Celestyal, said: “From the outset, we believed in the potential of this initiative and invested in it with time, commitment and genuine care, approaching and supporting each young person as an individual. The results are reflected both in the programme’s lasting value and in the close, warm and meaningful relationship that has developed with the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport at the University of the Aegean in Chios. Over the course of this long-standing journey, we have had the pleasure of welcoming dozens of young people from different universities. At the same time, we have also been enriched by their ideas, knowledge, creativity and fresh perspectives. This experience has demonstrated in practice how important it is to connect academic knowledge with real professional experience. It has also shown that when we invest consistently in people, we create opportunities, nurture potential and help shape the workforce of tomorrow.
Taleen Tchalikian, VP People & Culture, Celestyal, has played a pivotal role throughout this journey. As its leader, she guided and supported the initiative, making a meaningful contribution to its development and long-term continuity. I am confident that this creative journey will continue with the same belief and momentum. Its true value is reflected in the young people it inspires, the foundations it gives them and the potential it helps them transform into prospects for the future.”
Professor Maria Lekakou, Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport at the University of the Aegean, said: “Our long-standing collaboration with Celestyal is a meaningful example of how university education can connect with today’s professional environment. Through this journey, our students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge, develop new skills and and bring forward the challenges they identify, so that these can provide valuable stimulus and feedback for new research initiatives. We warmly thank Celestyal for the enduring trust, consistency and care with which it has welcomed our students over the years.”
With consistency and a firm commitment to connecting education with the professional environment, Celestyal continues to develop its long-standing internship programme, expanding its partnerships and the opportunities it offers young people. At the same time, the company is planning the initiative’s next steps, with new activities designed to further strengthen the educational community’s engagement with the world of cruising and shipping.