by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Wed December 17, 2025
Celestyal Cruises is focusing on making a splash in the North American market. With two ships that operate over the summer season in the Adriatic and Mediterranean and over the winter in the Arabian Gulf, the cruise line is small but dedicated to ensuring passengers experience the destinations they visit in a meaningful way.
John Diorio, Vice-President and Managing Director, North America for Celestyal is particularly excited about working with travel advisors. “North America is a very, very key market for Celestyal,” Diorio told TravelPulse Canada in a small group media briefing. “Close to 60 percent of our travellers are from North America, and we're still trying to gain more brand recognition, especially within the Travel Advisor community.”
As part of that push, Celestyal is offering enhanced advisor training and an attractive wave season promotion.
Celestyal Stars Advisor Training
John Diorio (Photo Credit: Celestyal Cruises)What was previously the Celestyal Campus training program is now rebranded and revamped as Celestyal Stars. “Like most brands, we need the advisory community to really understand what makes Celestyal, Celestyal,” says Diorio. “We started thinking about how to really enhance that learning experience.”
The training grew from 10 modules that advisors could approach in any order to 16 modules that build on each other, progressing through bronze, silver, gold and platinum tiers, with recognition at each stage. In addition to helping advisors learn about the brand, its ships, the itineraries and activities, Celestyal Stars aims to demonstrate where their differentiators are and the things they do differently.
At each stage of completion, advisors will unlock rewards, such as exclusive access to exclusive rates and discounts on cruises and the chance to participate in giveaways for onboard credit. Celestyal wants the training to be fun and useful. Members of the sales team in North America will follow up with each advisor once they finish the training program to answer any questions and ensure advisors have the support they need.
“I know everyone talks about that, but the reality is, our brand is only going to succeed with the help of the travel advisory community in North America,” Diorio says.
Celestyal Stars can be accessed through the cruise line's trade portal, Celestyal Compass.
There are several bars and lounges onboard Celestyal Journey. (Photo Credit: Celestyal Cruises)
Wave Season Promotion
Diorio was also excited to share details of Celestyal’s wave sale, which launched last week and will continue until Feb. 5, 2026. Depending on the cruise length, itinerary and sailing, rates are discounted up to 50 percent, with up to 500 euros in “Celestyal Pay” shipboard credit which can be put towards things such as specialty dining and alcohol, and 200 euros in excursion credits.
While they are reserving the possibility of extending the sale, Diorio reassured the assembled media that booking sooner is the best bet. “The offer won't get better,” he said.
“We've gotten great early feedback from our partners, and we're expecting probably our best wave season ever.”
More details can be found at celestyal.com/us/deals/wave-season-deals.
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