Celestyal has secured preferred supplier status with Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) as the Greek cruise line targets double the number of Australian passengers on its ships, with the announcement coming as two of its vessels return to service following weeks trapped in the Arabian Gulf.
The agreement gives Celestyal placement across Flight Centre, Cruiseabout, Travel Associates and Ignite. The vast majority of Celestyal’s Australian business comes through trade channels, the line said.
Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey were stranded in Dubai and Doha respectively after regional tensions forced the cancellation of all April 2026 departures. On April 17, Celestyal Discovery became the first cruise vessel to depart the Arabian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, with Celestyal Journey following the next day at the head of a wider convoy of cruise ships. Celestyal Discovery has resumed service with a three-night Iconic Greek Islands cruise departing May 1, with Celestyal Journey following on May 2 with a seven-night Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia sailing.
Last of cruise ships exit Strait of Hormuz to resume Northern Europe season
Celestyal director of business development Asia Pacific Jarrod Zurvas said the FCTG deal was central to the line’s local growth plans.
“We have ambitious plans to double the number of Australian guests we carry on our ships and know that sustainable growth is built through strong partnerships,” he said.
FCTG’s cruise & touring partnerships manager Rachael Lochhead said the addition broadened the group’s cruise offering. “Australians love to cruise so adding Celestyal to our portfolio strengthens our offering for travellers who are looking for unique itineraries, authentic Greek Island experiences and a great value proposition,” she said.
To mark the launch, Celestyal is offering guests who book a seven- or 14-night sailing through a Flight Centre agent up to €100 onboard credit per room, a complimentary shore excursion, and a bottle of wine and fruit in cabin, with suite bookings also receiving a five-course dinner for two at the Grill Seekers specialty restaurant. A sales competition running May 11 to June 15 gives top-performing Flight Centre stores the chance to win a store dinner, coffee machine or stocked bar fridge.
Celestyal operates roundtrip from Athens across three- and four-night Iconic Greek Islands cruises, seven-night Idyllic Greece and Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia itineraries, and 14-night Mediterranean Icons voyages.
