Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal Cruises (formerly Louis Cruises and Louis Cruise Lines) is a Cyprus-based cruise line and currently the only company operating year-round from Greece. Its itineraries span the Greek islands, select Turkish ports, and even extend to the Caribbean, with a unique focus on overnight stays in Cuba and Jamaica.

Due to the age and layout of its ships, Celestyal does not feature large-scale venues or elaborate production shows. However, this limitation has become a creative opportunity. Entertainment is more intimate and often inventive, with themed nights and cultural programming earning praise from cruise critics for offering a more personalized and immersive onboard experience.

As a smaller cruise line, Celestyal is sometimes used by hiring agencies as a starting point for new crew members. It’s not uncommon for staff to accept lower-end salaries here as a way to gain initial shipboard experience before moving on to larger, more prominent cruise companies. As a result, many crew members only complete one or two contracts with Celestyal before advancing their careers elsewhere.