Dhows, known locally as sailing boats Celestyal JourneyThe welcoming ceremony, accompanied by , was a reflection of the synergy between tradition and new beginnings in the region. The entertaining event, attended by local authorities, tourism office representatives, regional business partners and local agencies as invited guests, was accompanied by performances by famous DJ Tinie (formerly Tinie Tempah) and DJ Charlesy. A celebration under the lights took place with deck parties, drone shows in the harbour.

This stopover is the first stop on Jouney’s seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary. Celestyal will be making a return trip from Dubai to the Arabian Gulf, stopping at Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain.

Celestyal CCO Lee Haslett commented on the welcome at the new destination: “Today marks a significant milestone in our history as we proudly visit Dubai for our first season in the Arabian Gulf. It was a magical moment to enter the port and we officially kick off our long-term relationship with this fascinating destination. We would like to thank our regional partners and the local port management and look forward to a successful first season and beyond. Dubai is an iconic destination for our guests and an essential stop on our Desert Days itinerary. As a truly global city, Dubai offers a wealth of experiences and is a must-see.”

Celestyal will continue its first season in the Arabian Gulf until March 2025, and will follow this route for three years during the winter season. Discovery will join Celestyal Journey in the region at the end of 2025, with Abu Dhabi as its home port in a three-year partnership. Journey will operate three-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ long weekends from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha and Sir Bani Yas Island, and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ midweek cruises from Abu Dhabi, calling at Fujairah, Muscat and Khasab.

Source: HORECA TREND and Celestyal Journey

MSC Sinfonia, a ship belonging to MSC Cruises, one of the world's leading cruise companies, arrived in Istanbul for its first winter season voyages in Turkey. The ship anchored in Istanbul Port within the scope of the Aegean & Adriatic program, which appeals to the increasing interest of Turkish cruise passengers with its affordable price options and rich discovery routes.

A special launch was held for MSC Sinfonia at Galataport Istanbul on Wednesday, November 20, with the participation of important figures from the tourism and cruise worlds, as well as sector and media representatives. The traditional welcoming ceremony, held to celebrate the ship's first visit to the port, was attended by MSC Cruises Managing Director Norbert Stiekema and MSC Cruises Türkiye Country Manager Işın Hekimoğlu and her team introduced the ship and the winter season tour options. The event highlighted the extraordinary experiences that MSC Sinfonia offers, and detailed the affordable luxury and comfort options that await guests on board.

Enjoy a Cruise with MSC Sinfonia

MSC Cruises, the only cruise company with an office in Turkey, continues to offer unique experiences to thousands of passengers every year with its fleet of 22 ships offering high standards of service and destinations covering all corners of the world. Operating in Turkey during the summer season, the group will now provide year-round service to Turkish guests with the addition of MSC Sinfonia to the winter season, and will also be the only ship operating in Turkey during the winter season, offering cruise travel opportunities to Turkish guests.

Offering unique experiences to its guests, MSC Sinfonia promises unforgettable journeys with areas designed to meet every need and a rich range of activities. Throughout their comfortable journey, guests can benefit from many opportunities, from suites with sea views to cabins with balconies, from special restaurants offering selections from world cuisine to entertainment, shows and animations, from spa services to play areas for children.

An Unforgettable Journey of Discovery Departing from Turkey 

MSC Sinfonia's weekly voyages between November and April, from the ports of Istanbul and Izmir, which are easily accessible to Turkish cruise passengers, consist of a 7-night, 8-day program. The affordable voyages, starting at €379 per person, offer full-board accommodation with a wide range of entertainment options from concept restaurants and bars. The tour programs, where you will meet the wonders of the ancient world in the winter season, offer unique discovery experiences in interesting destinations without the hassle of carrying luggage.

MSC Sinfonia is visiting the extraordinary regions of the Eastern Mediterranean as part of the Aegean & Adriatic itinerary, departing from the ports of Istanbul and Izmir. The ship sets sail from the ports of Turkey into the Aegean Sea, and first stops at the Greek island of Corfu, known for its lush green landscapes, lively tavernas and rich cultural experiences. Other stops on the route include Bari, a port city on the Adriatic Sea in southeastern Italy, and the ancient port of Piraeus, the gateway to Athens, the birthplace of democracy. After the tour is complete, MSC Sinfonia returns to the ports of Istanbul and Izmir to disembark her passengers.

As part of the program, cruise passengers have the chance to experience the landmarks and local culture of the ports they arrive at after comfortable ship journeys equipped with many facilities. Guests who visit many historical structures such as Achilleion Palace, Palaiokastritsa Monastery and Corfu Castle in the blue paradise of the Adriatic, Corfu, can also enjoy delicious souvlaki, fresh seafood and olive oil appetizers. After a relaxing day at sea, passengers can visit many historical structures in Bari such as St. Nicholas Basilica, San Sabino Cathedral, Petruzzelli Theatre and Norman Castle. Guests also have the opportunity to taste and buy local, handmade pasta on the city's famous pasta street, Strada delle Orecchiette.

Next on the journey, the port city of Piraeus, which blends the ancient culture of Greece with modern city life, awaits curious travelers. In Piraeus, cruise passengers can visit impressive locations such as the City Theater, Themictoclean Walls, Megalo Port, as well as delightful museums. While visiting Piraeus, guests can also see famous landmarks of Athens such as the Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch and Panathenaic Stadium, which are very close by. The city also offers unique options for shopping or having a delicious snack. After this unique journey that will make passengers feel special, they return to the ports of Istanbul and Izmir with unforgettable memories.

This winter, discover the best of the Eastern Mediterranean, its historical buildings, magnificent flavors and incredible landscapes in the elegant comfort of MSC Sinfonia!

About MSC Sinfonia 

Blending the symphonies of great composers with the serenity of classical cruises, MSC Sinfonia makes its guests feel the comfort of home from the first step. Combining modern comfort with traditional elegance, this floating hotel opens the doors to a comfortable and elegant world.

One of the first members of the MSC Cruises fleet, MSC Sinfonia promises to revitalize and rejuvenate from start to finish, providing guests of all ages with a relaxing and enjoyable journey. The ship offers accommodation options to suit every need, from interior cabins to ocean view options, from balcony cabins to spacious suites and even connecting cabins for families. However, the luxury and comfort offered by MSC Sinfonia to its guests does not end with its accommodation options. Cruise passengers can enjoy the inviting waters of the pools on board, savour first-class cuisine, relax at the MSC Aurea Spa or pamper a new generation of cruise lovers in the kids’ clubs.

MSC Sinfonia offers first-class entertainment to keep everyone happy, as well as a variety of sports areas, delicious restaurants serving world cuisine and carefully designed comfortable spaces. From Teatro San Carlo, where Broadway-style shows are performed every evening, to themed bars and lounges; from boutiques to games rooms and golf simulators, the ship promises an endless variety of experiences for you to live your travels to the fullest. Moreover, MSC Aurea SPA, which offers personal care facilities such as spa, solarium and sauna, basketball and volleyball courts, tennis courts, walking track, shuffle board and a gym with a wide range of equipment overlooking the ocean are offered for the use of guests to have a pleasant time on board. In addition, children's clubs divided according to different age groups, which will double the pleasure of the trip for families, have the chance to have fun and learn with their peers, while parents have the chance to enjoy their holiday.

In addition to all the facilities it offers, MSC Sinfonia can easily access all ports thanks to its size. Therefore, the ship, which offers intimate experiences with its relatively small size, takes the cruise experience to the next level with the interesting destinations on its route.

Technical Specifications of MSC Sinfonia

Ship name: MSC Sinfonia

Gross tonnage: 65.542 ton

Maximum passenger capacity: 2.646

Crew: About 742

Number of cabins: 980 (Including 5 cabins suitable for disabled people)

Length/Width/Height: 274,9m / 28,8m / 54m

Maximum speed: 20,9 knots

Number of decks: 13 (9 of which are for guest use)

Source: HORECA TREND and MSC Cruises

The new preference of Turks who want to experience the comfort of a five-star hotel while also discovering new countries has become cruise tours. Once considered exclusive to people aged 40 and over with a “certain income level” due to high prices, cruise tours have begun to become the focus of attention for people from all walks of life as prices have reached the same level as hotels. With young couples, honeymooners and families with children also turning to cruise tours, the number of Turks who take cruise trips has reached 124 thousand according to figures from the Ministry of Transportation.

 There is a Great Demand for Early Booking

Stating that cruise tours are an exciting travel option that offers a wide variety of activities, Coral Travel Türkiye General Manager Mehmet Kamçı “Coral Travel offers its guests at least 15 different concept Cruise Tour alternatives in all countries with ports in the world, including Europe, Asia and America. With the developing tourism in Turkey, interest in cruise tourism has increased even more recently. We are especially experiencing high demand for Mediterranean coasts and Greek Islands tours. Cruise tours, which continue to offer early booking discounts, constitute an important part of our sales.”

The Number One Choice of Turkish Cruise Tourists is the Greek Islands

The proximity to Turkey, affordable prices and visa convenience have increased interest in the Greek islands. Approximately half of those who go on cruises prefer the Greek islands. You can visit many islands such as Kos, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Milos and Santorini on Greek Islands cruise tours.

After the Greek islands, the most preferred programs in the summer months are the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Norwegian Fjords tours. The Mediterranean and Adriatic Gulf, a classic cruise route, attract tourists from all over the world as well as Turkish tourists. The Norwegian Fjords tour, one of the most preferred destinations in the summer, offers the opportunity to discover Denmark and Norway.

The ongoing Schengen visa shortage has made the Far East and the Arabian Gulf attractive for the last two years. Visa-free Far East programs in particular are among the destinations that will gain the most popularity in 2025.

Five Star Hotel Comfort

One of the biggest factors in choosing cruise tours is the facilities offered. Cruise ships offer a wide range of food and beverage options. In addition to the main restaurants on the giant ships, there are open buffets, special restaurants and 24-hour cafes and bars.

There are different shows and entertainment events organized every evening on the ships, and many opportunities for passengers who love sports and active life, such as fitness centers, running tracks, basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools and water parks. Many services such as massage therapies, skin care, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi make your holiday even more enjoyable.

 1 Million 470 Thousand Tourists Came in Nine Months

With these features, cruise tours, which have attracted great attention around the world, have created a huge market of 2023 billion dollars by the end of 25. The size of the cruise sector, which has regained its pre-pandemic passenger level, is expected to reach 20024 billion dollars by the end of 30.

Turkey is also among the places visited by cruise tour enthusiasts. According to the Ministry of Transport, the number of cruise ships that visited Turkish ports between January and September reached 912, and the number of passengers reached 1 million 470 thousand people. Kuşadası Port was the most popular destination with 653 thousand passengers, followed by Istanbul with 337 thousand passengers and Izmir with 128 thousand passengers.

Source: HORECA TREND and Coral Travel Türkiye