Following a multimillion dollar refit, Celestyal welcomed its second new ship in two years
Greek-owned cruise line Celestyal prides itself on providing passengers with an immersive and authentic experience of the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, an ethos which extends to the interior design on its latest ship, Celestyal Discovery.
Celestyal engaged Athens-based AMK Architecture & Design to transform the 1,266-passenger vessel, which joined the two-vessel fleet this March. The company’s principal interior designer Marina Philippides tells Passenger Ship Interior and Refurbishment Review, “The design team drew inspiration from the natural beauty of the Greek islands, incorporating elements such as earthy tones, natural colours and fluid lines to create a sense of serenity and tranquillity throughout the ship.”
Constructed at Germany’s Meyer Wismar shipyard in 2003 for Carnival Corp, the 42,289-gt vessel first sailed for AIDA Cruises as AIDAaura. After being acquired by Celestyal to replace Celestyal Olympia, it went into drydock in Greece ahead its inaugural 2024 season. The refit included updated cabins, the creation of new features and public areas and the addition of a new livery.
Since it was founded in 1974, AMK Architecture & Design has worked on 130 cruise ships, ferries and yachts, including Celestyal Olympia and Celestyal Crystal. It also designed 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey, previously Holland America Line’s Ryndam, which debuted for Celestyal last year after replacing Celestyal Crystal.
“With Celestyal Discovery, we wanted to create a timeless and elegant interior theme that would appeal to a wide range of travellers,” explains Mrs Philippides.
She says this involved carefully selected colour palettes, materials and furnishings that projected sophistication and refinement while remaining comfortable and welcoming.
“The design brief emphasised the importance of aligning the refreshed interior theme with Celestyal’s brand values,” Mrs Philippides continues. “This meant reflecting the line’s commitment to providing authentic, immersive and culturally enriching cruise experiences, as well as its Greek heritage and Mediterranean roots.”
The ship has 633 cabins, of which almost 10% have balconies. They include rooms that can accommodate a family of four and two-room Dream suites, sleeping up to three, which have separate sleeping and living areas and a balcony accessed from the lounge.
Mrs Philippides says, “Staterooms on Celestyal Discovery feature the Celestyal colour scheme with soft neutrals and Mediterranean-inspired hues, creating a soothing ambiance.”
This influence can also be seen in the ship’s two main restaurants, Thalassa and The Taverna. Thalassa is the more formal of the two, with waiter service, while the casual buffet-style Taverna embraces the Greek tradition of sampling and sharing a variety of different dishes. The Greek ambiance continues at the poolside Greek Deli and Fig & Honey.
“The interior of Celestyal Discovery features subtle nods to Greek landscape, art, and culture, with elements such as whitewashed walls, dominant blue accents reminiscent of the Aegean Sea with a sense of Greek-inspired sophistication,” adds Mrs Philippides.
There are five redesigned bars including the central Star Bar, the Ocean Bar which overlooks the back of the ship and the After bar and club on deck 10. Aligned with Celestyal Journey, the ship has a theatre and show lounge, the Sozo Spa based around Greek wellness and a large pool deck. Elsewhere, the refit includes the Grill Seekers surf and turf restaurant, new Cafe Nation coffee shop and Pizza Oven pizzeria.
As part of the drydock, Celestyal Discovery had a new livery which features a blue wave running along the hull, updated Celestyal logo and the line’s signature stars.
“The layout of the ship was carefully planned to ensure optimal passenger flow and usability,” explains Mrs Philippides. “Public areas were designed to seamlessly connect with one another, creating a sense of cohesion and continuity throughout the ship.
“Lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing the ambiance of the ship, with strategically placed fixtures casting a soft, inviting glow throughout the public areas. The use of light-coloured furnishings and smooth surfaces further amplifies the sense of space, creating an airy and welcoming environment for passengers to enjoy.”
She says careful consideration was given to the fixtures and fittings incorporated into the refurbishment.
“Materials used in the interior design were sourced with an emphasis on quality and sustainability, with a focus on natural feel elements such as wood and marble,” continues Mrs Philippides. “The main colour schemes draw inspiration from the serene palette of the Greek islands, with shades of blue, white and sandy beige dominating the aesthetic.”
The refurbishment of Celestyal Discovery was a multinational project and other contractors and suppliers involved in the refit include the UK’s Brintons Carpets, furniture from Potocco and Accento in Italy, and textiles from Delius in Germany and UK-based Panaz.
Sailing out of Athens, Celestyal Discovery has taken over Celestyal Olympia’s popular port-intensive sailings to Greece and Turkey which include the three- and four-night Iconic Aegean itineraries visiting Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Crete and Santorini. The ship also operates on the week-long Three Continents cruise which takes in Port Said, Egypt; Ashdod, Israel; Limassol, Cyprus; Rhodes, Greece; and Kusadasi, Turkey.
This year, sister ship Celestyal Journey will embark on Celestyal’s first-ever season of Middle East cruises. The ship will homeport in Doha, Qatar, and sail to Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab, Abu Dhabi and the island of Sir Bani Yas.
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