Newly-launched Celestyal Journey’s Three Continents cruise from Greece calling at Israel as well as Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus next March has been dropped.

Instead, guests are being offered alternative cruises.

The ship, launched last September, will operate a new seven-night cruise from Greece to Croatia, Montenegro and Italy, departing on 2 March.

Maiden calls will be made to Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor (Montenegro), Corfu, Bari (Italy) and Katakolo (Greece).

The new seven-night Heavenly Adriatic cruise will include full days in each destination, as well as a late-night stay in Dubrovnik. The itinerary will appear again in 2025, with details to be confirmed later.

Celestyal Journey will sail its seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean itinerary on 9  and 16 March. Departing roundtrip from Athens, the ship will call at Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion, Mykonos, Santorini and Milos. 

It will then embark on a series of Aegean voyages up to December.

Celestyal is switching pre-booked guests to the new voyages at current promotional rates, and giving them a free Three Continents cruise to thank them for their loyalty.

Its trade team is liaising with agents who have customers set to travel with the updated information, it said.

Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett added: “We really do take the time to listen to feedback, and Italy, Croatia and Montenegro are consistently popular with the trade and our guests. 

“These itineraries are ideal for anyone looking to discover new horizons with more than a dash of history, culture and beauty. 

“And we couldn’t help ourselves by going a little bit further for our customers, so hope they enjoy their free cruise as a thank you for their unwavering support. 

“We are equally committed to our travel partners, so will be preserving agent commission on all rebooked cruises.”

Agents holding reservations on the updated March 2024 itineraries will be contacted by Celestyal over the coming days, so they can reaccommodate customers on the updated sailings on Celestyal Journey or another suitable option.

Guests who retain their booking dates on the March itineraries will be eligible for the free cruise offer, which can be applied to equivalent sailings over the next three years. 

All agent commission will be preserved on retained and reaccommodated bookings, said Celestyal.

The updated cruises are available as part of Celestyal’s Black Friday promotions. The Heavenly Adriatic is on sale from £449pp and the Idyllic Aegean from £529pp.