Celestyal, a Greek cruise line with largely Greek itineraries, will simplify its fare offering and introduce a commissionable prepay option for non-inclusive dining and beverages.
Effective for bookings starting Dec. 11 for cruises departing from March 21, Celestyal will replace the Experience and Experience Plus packages with Celestyal One.
Celestyal One includes basic WiFi strong enough for browsing and social media; filtered coffee, tea, water and juice throughout the day; unlimited soft drinks in the main restaurant; and port fees, taxes and crew gratuities.
With the change, Celestyal is effectively including basic WiFi in the fare for every guest. Currently, only buyers of the Experience Plus package get basic WiFi included.
Unlike the Experience bundles, the new Celestyal One bundle does not include discounted prices for excursions booked in advance. Experience Plus also includes select alcoholic beverages with meals.
However, Celestyal will discontinue all beverage packages, instead introducing the CelestyalPay digital wallet for specialty dining and alcoholic drinks. Travel advisors who sell Celestyal Pay will earn 10% commission.
Guests who load the digital wallet before their cruise will earn bonus credits. For instance, guests who load 1,000 euros will receive a bonus of 250 euros.
With the change, Celestyal has made more onboard eateries complimentary. In addition to main restaurant Thalassa and buffet restaurant Taverna, complimentary dining includes the Greek Deli and Pizza Oven (only on the Discovery) in the afternoons.
Celestyal's specialty eateries are the South Asian-inspired Pink Moon, Mediterranean restaurant Smoked Olive and the Grillseekers steakhouse.
More cabins on Celestyal Discovery
In a ship refit, Celestyal will add 47 cabins to the Celestyal Discovery, including two Grand Horizon Suites with expansive balconies. They will be located above the bridge.
Other additions are 30 Junior Dream Suites, a new stateroom category, and 15 more interior Cosmos Cabins.
The expansion will result in a 7.4% increase in capacity to 1,300 guests. The Discovery refit will be completed in April. New cabins go on sale Dec. 10.
In other changes, Smoked Olive will become a complimentary restaurant on the Discovery for all suite guests. Also, there will be a pop-up evening restaurant with a bookable private dining area with cuisine inspired by the ship's itinerary.
Guests in premium staterooms on both of Celestyal's ships will receive new amenities, including a sail-away party for balcony and suite guests and daily hosted cocktail hours. Guests in the Grand Dream and Grand Horizon suites will get exclusive access to Ray's Sundeck and Cabanas.
Grand Suite guests on the Celestyal Journey will receive complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suite with a private hot tub, steam room, sauna and private relaxation area. Stargazer Penthouse guests will get a "bottomless" in-room minibar.