Abu Dhabi Cruise Hub Strengthened As Celestyal Discovery Becomes Homeported

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi has confirmed that Celestyal Discovery will homeport in the emirate, supporting Abu Dhabi’s status as a regional cruise hub. The deployment adds new Arabian Gulf itineraries through March 2026 and strengthens long-term links between the emirate, Celestyal and AD Ports Group.

The move aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets sustainable growth and more diverse visitor experiences. Cruise guests sailing from the capital gain direct access to cultural districts, coastal nature reserves, desert landscapes and urban attractions, with itineraries designed to connect these assets with key Gulf ports.

The latest announcement builds on the steady expansion of Celestyal’s regional operations and follows the vessel’s maiden call in Abu Dhabi. Senior figures from DCT Abu Dhabi, Celestyal and AD Ports Group attended a ceremony that underlined the emirate’s intention to anchor long-term cruise partnerships across the wider maritime sector.

Haitham Ali Khamis, Director of Tourism Product Development at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, "The homeporting of Celestyal Discovery in Abu Dhabi is a strong vote of confidence in the emirate’s cruise infrastructure and long-term vision. It reflects our focus on building a robust cruise ecosystem that delivers seamless port operations, meaningful visitor experiences and sustainable growth for our partners and the wider destination."

A mangrove planting initiative at Jubail Mangrove Park formed a core part of the maiden call agenda, highlighting shared priorities around environmental responsibility. Delegates planted mangroves to support coastal conservation and to draw attention to Abu Dhabi’s sensitive marine habitats, which play a key role in local biodiversity and climate resilience.

The programme at Jubail Mangrove Park also served as an educational element for participants. The activity demonstrated how tourism stakeholders in Abu Dhabi incorporate nature-based projects into cruise deployments, linking new itineraries with practical steps that protect shorelines and promote long-term environmental stewardship in the Gulf.

Abu Dhabi cruise itineraries on Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey

From Abu Dhabi, Celestyal Discovery is scheduled to run new three-, four- and seven-night "Iconic Arabia" cruises on a roundtrip basis. The itineraries include calls at Doha in Qatar, Khasab in Oman, Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE, plus first-time visits to Ras Al Khaimah, with departures operating through March 2026.

During the same season, Celestyal Journey will sail a separate seven-night "Desert Days" itinerary. These voyages operate roundtrip from either Doha or Dubai and include stops at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, adding another option for travellers interested in combining Gulf cities with natural and heritage sites.

Abu Dhabi cruise leadership and industry collaboration

The event was attended by Captain Nikos Vasileiou, captain of the vessel; Chris Theophilides, CEO of Celestyal; Captain George Koumpenas, chief operating officer; Alexios Economou, vice president of hotel operations and passenger services; Mohamed Wagdy, vice president of cruise and marina leisure development; and Haitham Ali Khamis, director of tourism product development at DCT Abu Dhabi.

Chris Theophilides, CEO at Celestyal, stated, "Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting cruise hubs in the world, and this long-term partnership marks an important milestone in Celestyal’s growth across the region. We are delighted to work with AD Ports Group to support the emirate’s ambitious vision and to deliver exceptional experiences for visitors from across the globe."

The homeporting of Celestyal Discovery supports Abu Dhabi’s aim to provide reliable port operations, strong collaboration with cruise lines and distinct experiences on board and ashore. As more itineraries depart from the emirate, Abu Dhabi’s profile as a cruise destination in the Middle East continues to strengthen across regional and international markets.

With inputs from WAM