Breaking: Celebrity Cruises unveils plans to tiptoe back into Europe sailings
Celebrity Cruises is joining the list of major cruise lines planning to restart operations in Europe in the coming months.
The Miami-based brand on Thursday announced it would resume Eastern Mediterranean sailings in June with a single ship sailing out of Athens, Greece.
Celebrity said its newest vessel, the 2,900-passenger Celebrity Apex, would offer two seven-night itineraries out of Athens starting on June 19:
- A Greek Islands and Cyprus itinerary that features stops in the Greek islands of Rhodes, Mykonos and Santorini as well as Cyprus.
- A Greek Islands and Israel itinerary that features stops in the Greek islands of Rhodes and Santorini, plus a stop in Haifa, Israel, that allows for a visit to Tel-Aviv or Jerusalem.
Celebrity said the trips would be open to travelers from any country, including the United States. A very limited amount of cruising has restarted in parts of Europe in recent months. But until now, it's been restricted to locals residents from selected European countries.
Celebrity said adults would be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to sail on the voyages. Children under the age of 18 will be able to sail with just proof of a negative COVID-19 test. All crew also will be required to have COVID-19 vaccinations to work on the ship.
The line suggested such restrictions could evolve over time.
The announcement comes as Greece prepares to reopen to tourists from all countries around the world by the summer.
It also comes just days after Celebrity announced it would resume sailings in the Caribbean in June with seven-night sailings out of the Dutch side of the island of St. Martin, known as St. Maarten. On those trips, too, adults will be required to have been vaccinated for COVID-19.
Celebrity Cruises is following such major lines as Royal Caribbean and Costa Cruises in saying it would resume sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean in the coming months.
Royal Caribbean recently said it would resume cruises to the Greek islands out of Haifa, Israel, in May -- albeit for Israeli residents only. Costa Cruises is planning to resume sailings to the Greek Islands out of Italy in May.
Greek Island cruise specialist Celestyal Cruises also has announced plans to restart cruises in the region in May.
Celebrity hasn't operated a single cruise departure in more than a year. Like every cruise line in the world, it shut down operations completely in March 2020 after the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic.
In a statement, Celebrity president and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said Celebrity's resumption of sailings in Greece was particularly poignant given its origins as a Greece-based company. Celebrity was founded in 1988 in Greece by the country's Chandris family, and the majority of the deck officers on its ships still hail from Greece.
“Celebrity Apex is such an exquisite ship, and for her to finally begin sailing in the beautiful Aegean, where it all began for our fleet, and after so long away, is incredibly meaningful," Lutoff-Perlo said.
The newly announced cruises will be the first ever for Celebrity Apex, which was completed more than a year ago but has yet to sail with paying passengers due to the coronavirus crisis.
Lutoff-Perlo also praised the government of Greece for giving clearance for the trips to begin.
“This is a very special homecoming for Celebrity Cruises made possible with the strong collaboration of the Greek government," she said. "I extend my enduring gratitude and wish them well.”
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Greek tourism minister Haris Theocharis said the country was eager for travelers to return.
“The positive economic impact that tourism brings to our country cannot be underestimated," Theocharis said. "I am very happy Celebrity Cruises is playing an important role in rebuilding this important economic pillar.”
Celebrity said it would operate the sailings with new onboard health and safety measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some of which would be announced at a later date.
The line said passengers would have to meet additional requirements being imposed by the government of Greece, which currently include presenting a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken 72-hours prior to arrival in the country.
The new Celebrity sailings will open for bookings on March 30.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.