Cruise Talk: Celestyal Odyssey

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Topic: Celestyal Odyssey

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 06-14-2015 06:02 AM

Celestyal Odyssey sailed on her inaugural cruise last Monday on a 4-day cruise after being brought into service by Louis remarkably quickly since the start of her charter from the German bank which owns the former Explorer of Semester at Sea. I was one of only 90 multi-national passengers who first boarded in Lavrion (with which Louis has a preferential berthing arrangement) and another 350 (it would appear mostly Spanish speaking) joined at Kusadasi the following day. The ship was therefore less than half full and it just perhaps has made me see everything through rose-tinted glasses.

Everything vastly surpassed my expectations but I suspect I will have felt differently had the ship been full. Service was outstanding as was the predominantly Greek food. Some refurbishment of the vessel is required most notably of the aft decking and the Night Club.

Louis are going to great lengths to re-position themselves as THE Greek cruise line (albeit with Cypriot roots) and I wish them every success with their Celestyal re-branding! From what I have seen, they are doing the right things!

I have uploaded a large selection of pics of both her interiors and of other ships seen on this cruise on my Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/50194818@N05/

Best

Tony

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 06-15-2015 03:34 PM

Superb photos

She looks good. Love the photos at Patmos especially. I watched Celestyal Odyssey depart Piraeus on 1 June and wondered why I could only see a handful of people aboard. Didn't realise she wasn't yet sailing.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 06-15-2015 03:53 PM

Thanks Pam!

CO sailed on two shakedown cruises with Louis/Celestyal shore staff and then undertook a charter before starting commercial service on 8 June. When you saw her in Piraeus on 1 June, that was her last call there for the foreseeable future as she is either based out of Lavrion or Izmir for the rest of the summer season.

Best

Tony

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 06-15-2015 05:40 PM

Thanks.. she looked good anyway, even if she did cross right across the harbour before turning, sending the tug rushing around to her bow

You can't tell on these small pics but there are about 4 people on the stern decks. One looks as if he's wearing a chef's hat and another looks like a waiter.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Aussie1
First Class Passenger
Member # 25

posted 06-15-2015 09:56 PM

What speed does the ship travel at now given she was originally built to bolt around the Med at 26 knots?

Posts: 493 | From: Sydney,NSW, Australia | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 06-16-2015 09:06 AM

16 to 17 knots is the most she does now to meet the demands of her present schedule.

Best

Tony

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

RANGERVR6178
First Class Passenger
Member # 3946

posted 06-20-2015 05:04 PM

Thank you for sharing! I haven't posted in years, but your review compelled me to chime back in.

I sailed on the MV Explorer during her time with Semester at Sea. I am surprised by seeing your pictures as to how much remains exactly the same as it was before becoming the Odyssey. Especially seeing the world maps on the wall in each room!

Thank you again, glad to see she has a new home in the Med!

Posts: 243 | From: Sarasota, Florida | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

cruisemole
First Class Passenger
Member # 2459

posted 06-26-2015 03:44 AM

Shockingly poor name though.

Posts: 343 | From: dear ol'blighty | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES
First Class Passenger
Member # 5641

posted 06-26-2015 07:19 AM

Email Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES

No worse than some other cruise ship names these days.

Posts: 2355 | From: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 30 miles north of London | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

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