CELESTYAL RINGS THE CHANGES FOR CUBA IN 2018

It's all change next year for Celestyal Cruises' Cuba operation next year, as current Cuba stalwart, Celestyal Crystal, makes a return to the Aegean. Once back in Piraeus, it is expected that the 1200 passenger, 1980 built ship will resume her former summer long programme of three and four day cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey, with some possible seven night runs in high season.

Her place will be taken by the 40,000 ton Celestyal Majesty, currently sailing under charter to Thomson Cruises (TUI) as the Thomson Majesty. The charter to Thomson ends in November and, after some refurbishments, the 1992 built, 1400 passenger ship will sail to Cuba to begin year round cruise service from Havana and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

She's a ship with an interesting history; built in 1992 for the nascent Majesty Cruise Line as the Royal Majesty, the ship was employed on seven night Bermuda cruises in summer, and longer Caribbean runs in winter. Acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1997, the ship was restyled as the Norwegian Majesty. Cut in half in a mjor dry dock refit, a mid section was added that brought the ship up to her current size, after which she returned to her Bermuda and Caribbean cruises.

In 2008 she was bought by the as-then Louis Cruises, for who she did some Mediterranean cruises. There followed a charter to Thomson Cruises and, naturally, she was restyled for them as the Thomson Majesty, For them, the ship sailed mainly in the eastern and western Mediterranean, and also the Canary Islands in winter.

With newer and larger ships coming on line, Thomson declined to renew the charter after November, and thus the ship reverts to Celstyal ownership. She now sports a handful of upper deck balcony suites and cabins, and an extra, enclosed after deck buffet restaurant. What changes Celestyal might now intend is not currently known.

This move to Cuba gives Celestyal a newer, better equipped ship with which to counter the rising tide of new Cuba bound competitors, with Carnival, MSC, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean now entering the lucrative market in additon to Celestyal themselves. Embarkation for each seven night round Cuba cruise is possible in both Havana, where the ship stays docked overnight, and also at Montego Bay in Jamaica.

While she may not be the biggest or newest of this Cuba bound flotilla, the Celestyal Majesty is an intimate, pretty little ship, and Celestyal's all inclusive fares cover all on board drinks and a choice of shoree excursions at each port of call.

Now, if the company would only galvanise itself to offer a dedicated fly/cruise package to lure UK passengers as well, that would make for the ideal holiday package option. Fingers crossed.....