Celestyal Cruises announced it has acquired the 2003-built AIDAura and will rename it the Celestyal Discovery.
This is Celestyal Cruises second addition to its fleet this year. In February the cruise line acquired what was the Ryndam for Holland America, then the Pacific Aria for P&O Cruises Australia. It received a $21 million refurbishment and relaunched as the Celestyal Journey in September. The complete fleet transformation is a “testament to the efforts and initiatives to position the brand as a small, premium ship experience with upgraded hardware and an upgraded range of accommodations,” said Brandon Townsley, vice president and managing director, North America.
Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey will both receive further refurbishments in Athens before they begin their sailing season of the Greek Isles in March 2024. Both vessels have the capacity for about 1,260 guests which will allow the vessels to continue offering the cruise line’s blend of “marquee destinations and secluded gems” they currently offer. They are taking over for Celestyal Olympia retiring this month and Celestyal Crystal which was retired in September. The newly renovated Celestyal Discovery will accommodate guests already booked on the Olympia when she debuts.
“Given strong market and business conditions, we are thrilled to have expedited the renewal of our fleet to welcome the Celestyal Discovery into the Celestyal family,” said Chris Theophilides, CEO. “Celestyal Discovery joins the Celestyal Journey to undergo an extensive refurbishment program over the winter period, signifying further our intent to keep delighting our customers. As a confident challenger brand, our team is excited to continue to make waves across the industry next season, with a refreshed fleet, brand, network, and a renewed sense of direction.”
The new Celestyal Discovery offers 633 staterooms and houses an amphitheater, a conference and event space, Grillseekers specialty restaurant, Sozo wellness retreat, a Greek deli, the Fig and Honey gelato and juice bar. The company will announce new offerings at a later date.
“The new Celestyal Discovery is a significant upgrade from the Olympia, in both guest-facing spaces and below deck,” said Townsley. “It offers a variety of restaurant outlets, and entertainment spaces, and we are very excited about the conference and meeting facilities it offers.”