CELESTYAL EXPERIENCE

General information

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Latest news

Cruise debut in March 2021

The 'Costa NeoRomantica' has been renamed as 'Celestyal Experience' by the Celestyal Cruises after having been sold by Costa Crociere. The first cruise is due to start on March 6 in Piraeus with calls in Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus and Rhodes. Starting on April 3, one week cruises with calls at Athens, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Milos, Mykonos and Kuşadasi will be offered.

Cruises cancelled due to coronavirus

Citing urgent guidelines from the Chinese goverment to combat the spread of the coronavirus, Costa Crociere, MSC, Royal Caribbean and Genting Cruise Lines have immediately suspended cruise operations in mainland China. Costa has cancelled sailings on the 'Costa Serena' for Jan. 25 and 31, 2020; the 'Costa Atlantica' on Jan. 27 and 31; the Costa Venezia' on Jan 26. and Feb. 2 and the 'Costa neoRomantica' on Jan. 25, 30 and Feb. 2. Costa Cruises said guests are eligible for a full refund; or can choose an alternative sailing date before the end of the year along with a $50 onboard credit. MSC cancelled its Jan. 28 departure aboard the 'MSC Splendida' from Shanghai, which was scheduled to sail four nights; while Royal Caribbean cancelled its Jan. 27 sailing on the 'Spectrum of the Seas', also scheduled to depart from Shanghai. Travel agencies have been instructed to stop group tours, which make up most of the Chinese cruise industry. In addition, China halting outbound group could have an effect on the industry's reliance of China as a source market for ships sailing in Europe, Alaska and North America. Genting's Dream Cruises brand has cancelled a turnaround call in Guangzhou for the 'World Dream', but will continue to operate from Hong Kong, according to a statement as the ship interports between both homeports. Other operators with a presence in China during the winter included the 'Astro Ocean', which has yet to issue any statements regarding close-in deployment, but could follow suit during the high-yielding weeks of Chinese New Year.

Crew member arrested due to suspected rape

After the "Costa Naoromantica" berthed at Port Louis in the afternoon of March 17, 2017, one of its 600 crew members was arrested by police officers of the departmental security which were on the quay at the arrival of the ship. The Nepalese national was suspected of a rape perpetrated during a previous stopover in Marseilles. A complaint was lodged with the public prosecutor's office in Agen which opened a judicial investigation entrusted to an investigating judge. Believing that the evidence in his possession was sufficiently serious and consistent, the investigating magistrate issued an arrest warrant against the man. The Nepalese was taken to the courthouse of Champ Fleuri to be placed under arrest warrant. He was incarcerated while awaiting his transfer by aircraft to Agen.