Celestyal launches Arabian Gulf cruise incentive for travel advisors

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Cruise line Celestyal has launched a new incentive programme for travel advisors, offering the chance to win a complimentary Desert Days Arabian Gulf sailing ahead of its third consecutive winter deployment in the region.

Advisors will earn one entry into the prize draw for every Celestyal cruise booking made between January and March 2026. Eligible sailings include itineraries across the Arabian Gulf, Eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic, with group bookings qualifying under the promotion (tour operator bookings excluded).

The winning advisor will receive roundtrip flights and a seven-night Desert Days cruise for two adults in a junior suite cabin. Departing from either Doha, Qatar, or Dubai, UAE, the itinerary includes calls at Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Sir Bani Yas Island – the UAE’s largest natural island, home to more than 17,000 free-roaming animals – plus two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai.

With the current Arabian Gulf season wrapping up in March, Celestyal said the initiative aims to build momentum for next winter’s sailings and reward advisors for their continued support.

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“We think this is a fun way to reward our trusted advisor partners for selling Celestyal and to help them better understand our premium casual brand,” said John Diorio, Managing Director and Vice President of Business Development for North America at Celestyal. “We hope one lucky winner will get to experience our unique Desert Days seven-day itinerary firsthand.”

Alongside the seven-night itineraries, Celestyal’s 2026–27 winter season programme also features three-, four- and seven-night Iconic Arabia cruises from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha, Khasab in Oman, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas and Ras Al Khaimah. Travellers and agents can experience an enhanced shore excursion programme featuring new small-group tours, including a full-day guided excursion through Ras Al Khaimah’s desert dunes and mountain villages with visits to the royal camel racing stables and a traditional date farm.

As part of its upcoming season, Celestyal has also added two Formula 1-themed week-long itineraries combining three-night port stays in Doha or Abu Dhabi with access to the full race-weekend schedules while exploring Gulf highlights. Fares start from AED 3,300, with pre-registration available via the cruise line’s agency sales team.

In the lead-up to next season, two new seven-night repositioning cruises from Athens, Greece, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will depart in November 2026. The seven- and eight-night itineraries include calls at Port Said and Safaga in Egypt, Aqaba in Jordan, and—on select sailings—Kusadasi in Türkiye, plus a Suez Canal transit en route to the Arabian Gulf. Fares start from AED 3,050 per person.

For more information, visit www.celestyal.com; for all the latest cruise news, bookmark www.connectingtravel.com/cruise

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Supporting the growth of the cruise industry, Connections Cruise Arabia will return to Dubai in the UAE in 2026, following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025. The two-day event, taking place from 28 to 29 September, will welcome more than 500 travel trade professionals from across the global cruise ecosystem. To register your interest in attending, contact Connections.