Celestyal Odyssey Cruise Ship Overview
The Celestyal Odyssey is a 25,000-ton, 836-passenger cruise ship, and one of the Celestyal Cruises brand of the Louis Group, which is a Cypriot-based travel company that has been in business since 1935. The company started Celestyal Cruises in 2014 and moved its five cruise ships from the Louis Cruises brand to this new one. The Louis Group continues to operate its ship charter business under the Louis Cruises brand.
In addition to the Celestyal Odyssey, Celestyal Cruises operates the Celestyal Crystal and Celestyal Olympia.
The Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship currently sails 3 and 4-day cruises of Greece and Turkey that can be combined into a 7-day cruise. Since the ship is smaller than many cruise ships operating in the eastern Mediterranean, it can sail to more authentic, less touristy islands and ports of call. The amazing itineraries, international guests, and Greek flavor of the ships are Celestyal's biggest appeal.
The Celestyal Odyssey was built in 2002 and originally named the Olympia Explorer. Before Celestyal chartered the ship in 2015, it operated as the M/V Explorer for the Semester at Sea program. The accommodations and common areas of the ship were significantly renovated when she was renamed.
This article and accompanying photo gallery provides a detailed look at the ship and its cabins, interiors, exteriors, and dining options.
Page 2 >> Celestyal Odyssey Cruise Ship Cabins >>
Celestryal Odyssey Cabins
The 418 cabins and suites on the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship are spread over four decks. Since the ship is older, only the 24 Grand Suites and Balcony Suites have a private balcony. These two categories also have a small sitting area with sofa. The 6 Junior Suites do not have a balcony.
The cruise ship has 4 categories of interior cabins and 6 categories of outside (oceanview) cabins with either a porthole or a window.
Some of the cabins have a third berth. Most of the cabins only have a shower in the bathroom, but the 30 suites also have a bathtub.
The accommodations and bathrooms are basic, but as noted earlier, Celestyal's appeal is its fascinating itineraries and Greek onboard atmosphere.
Page 3 >> Dining and Cuisine on the Celestyal Odyssey >>
Dining on the Celestyal Odyssey
The Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship has two main dining venues. Both serve three meals daily. The main restaurant is the Aqua Marine restaurant aft on deck 5. It features a buffet breakfast, but lunch and dinner are served from a menu. The menus include a selection of 4 or 5 appetizers, soups, and salads; 4 main courses, one of which is vegetarian, and a selection of desserts. The menu is a mixture of continental and Greek cuisine.
If none of the main dishes look enticing or you are extra hungry, the restaurant always has a pasta of the day with a choice of sauces.
The Garden Cafe is aft on deck 6. This casual spot serves buffet items for all meals and has indoor and outdoor seating. It's a good choice if you are in a hurry or don't want to take time to order from the menu.
Alcoholic drinks are not included in the basic price, but an "unlimited drink" package is available on the cruise ship for a reasonable price--less than 25 euros per day per person in 2015.
Page 4 >> Indoor Common Areas on the Celestyal Odyssey Cruise Ship >>
The interiors of the Celestyal Odyssey are classic and functional. You won't see neon, expensive artwork, or a lot of glitz. The furnishings are simple, but comfortable.
The reception area and atrium are mid-ship on deck 5. The cruise ship has a nice spa, beauty salon, and fitness center on deck 7. Guests can work off some of the calories consumed or treat themselves to a spa treatment.
For a small ship, there are several indoor lounges.
Starting at the top, the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship has a Panoramic Lounge and disco forward on deck 7. Along with disco, this lounge is also used for Karaoke in the evening.Â
One deck down, the main lounge, called the Amber Lounge, is also forward. This lounge features musical entertainment. One night features Greek music and dancing, while another is "Viva la Fiesta", or Latin night.
The small casino is aft of the Amber Lounge, and it also has a small bar. The Piano Lounge is mid-ship on deck 6. The music is usually quieter here.
Although most guests are off the ship exploring the ports of call during the daytime, the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship does have a limited program of daytime activities onboard such as Greek language lessons, dance classes, Origami lessons, flower making, and team trivia. For those who love (or need) to exercise, the ship has a fitness center.
Page 5 >> Outdoor Decks on the Celestyal Odyssey Cruise Ship >>
The Celestyal Odyssey sails in the gorgeous waters of the eastern Mediterranean, so it's not surprising that many guests spend a lot of time outdoors when on the cruise ship. The cruise ship has a small swimming pool aft on deck 7 near the pool bar and a volleyball court, table tennis, and basketball goal at the nearby sports deck area. Guests can access the forward outdoor area on deck 7 in front of the Panoramic Lounge.
This is a perfect place to stand when the ship is entering or leaving some of the spectacular ports of call like Santorini.
Aft of the Garden Buffet on deck 6 is a large outdoor sitting and lounge area, along with another outdoor bar. Access to the starboard and port outdoor decks is also available on deck 5 of the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship.
Although the Celestyal Cruise ships are comfortable and provide a traditional cruise experience of room, board, and entertainment, the ships are not the vacation destination as they are with some cruise lines. Celestyal Cruises is one of the few cruise lines that sails 3- and 4-day cruises in the Mediterranean, and it's also one of the few cruise lines to visit more than one island or port of call each day. Cruise ships like the Celestyal Odyssey arrive at the first port of call early in the morning, and the guests have about 4 or 5 hours ashore. The ship sails during lunch, arriving at another exciting port of call in the late afternoon (around 4 pm).
Guests go ashore for a few more hours, either arriving back at the ship in time for a late dinner or dining ashore.
These destination-focused itineraries don't leave guests with much time on the ship unless they wish to sacrifice their time ashore. So, don't look for water parks or lots of innovative onboard activities and venues on the Celestyal Odyssey or the other Celestyal cruise ships. However, this company's ships are not designed to be the destination; the focus is on the marvelous ports of call in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.
The Celestyal Odyssey is a 25,000-ton, 836-passenger cruise ship, and one of the Celestyal Cruises brand of the Louis Group, which is a Cypriot-based travel company that has been in business since 1935. The company started Celestyal Cruises in 2014 and moved its five cruise ships from the Louis Cruises brand to this new one. The Louis Group continues to operate its ship charter business under the Louis Cruises brand.
In addition to the Celestyal Odyssey, Celestyal Cruises operates the Celestyal Crystal and Celestyal Olympia.
The Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship currently sails 3 and 4-day cruises of Greece and Turkey that can be combined into a 7-day cruise. Since the ship is smaller than many cruise ships operating in the eastern Mediterranean, it can sail to more authentic, less touristy islands and ports of call. The amazing itineraries, international guests, and Greek flavor of the ships are Celestyal's biggest appeal.
The Celestyal Odyssey was built in 2002 and originally named the Olympia Explorer. Before Celestyal chartered the ship in 2015, it operated as the M/V Explorer for the Semester at Sea program. The accommodations and common areas of the ship were significantly renovated when she was renamed.
This article and accompanying photo gallery provides a detailed look at the ship and its cabins, interiors, exteriors, and dining options.
Page 2 >> Celestyal Odyssey Cruise Ship Cabins >>
Celestryal Odyssey Cabins
The 418 cabins and suites on the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship are spread over four decks. Since the ship is older, only the 24 Grand Suites and Balcony Suites have a private balcony. These two categories also have a small sitting area with sofa. The 6 Junior Suites do not have a balcony.
The cruise ship has 4 categories of interior cabins and 6 categories of outside (oceanview) cabins with either a porthole or a window.
Some of the cabins have a third berth. Most of the cabins only have a shower in the bathroom, but the 30 suites also have a bathtub.
The accommodations and bathrooms are basic, but as noted earlier, Celestyal's appeal is its fascinating itineraries and Greek onboard atmosphere.
Page 3 >> Dining and Cuisine on the Celestyal Odyssey >>
Dining on the Celestyal Odyssey
The Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship has two main dining venues. Both serve three meals daily. The main restaurant is the Aqua Marine restaurant aft on deck 5. It features a buffet breakfast, but lunch and dinner are served from a menu. The menus include a selection of 4 or 5 appetizers, soups, and salads; 4 main courses, one of which is vegetarian, and a selection of desserts. The menu is a mixture of continental and Greek cuisine.
If none of the main dishes look enticing or you are extra hungry, the restaurant always has a pasta of the day with a choice of sauces.
The Garden Cafe is aft on deck 6. This casual spot serves buffet items for all meals and has indoor and outdoor seating. It's a good choice if you are in a hurry or don't want to take time to order from the menu.
Alcoholic drinks are not included in the basic price, but an "unlimited drink" package is available on the cruise ship for a reasonable price--less than 25 euros per day per person in 2015.
Page 4 >> Indoor Common Areas on the Celestyal Odyssey Cruise Ship >>
The interiors of the Celestyal Odyssey are classic and functional. You won't see neon, expensive artwork, or a lot of glitz. The furnishings are simple, but comfortable.
The reception area and atrium are mid-ship on deck 5. The cruise ship has a nice spa, beauty salon, and fitness center on deck 7. Guests can work off some of the calories consumed or treat themselves to a spa treatment.
For a small ship, there are several indoor lounges.
Starting at the top, the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship has a Panoramic Lounge and disco forward on deck 7. Along with disco, this lounge is also used for Karaoke in the evening.Â
One deck down, the main lounge, called the Amber Lounge, is also forward. This lounge features musical entertainment. One night features Greek music and dancing, while another is "Viva la Fiesta", or Latin night.
The small casino is aft of the Amber Lounge, and it also has a small bar. The Piano Lounge is mid-ship on deck 6. The music is usually quieter here.
Although most guests are off the ship exploring the ports of call during the daytime, the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship does have a limited program of daytime activities onboard such as Greek language lessons, dance classes, Origami lessons, flower making, and team trivia. For those who love (or need) to exercise, the ship has a fitness center.
Page 5 >> Outdoor Decks on the Celestyal Odyssey Cruise Ship >>
The Celestyal Odyssey sails in the gorgeous waters of the eastern Mediterranean, so it's not surprising that many guests spend a lot of time outdoors when on the cruise ship. The cruise ship has a small swimming pool aft on deck 7 near the pool bar and a volleyball court, table tennis, and basketball goal at the nearby sports deck area. Guests can access the forward outdoor area on deck 7 in front of the Panoramic Lounge.
This is a perfect place to stand when the ship is entering or leaving some of the spectacular ports of call like Santorini.
Aft of the Garden Buffet on deck 6 is a large outdoor sitting and lounge area, along with another outdoor bar. Access to the starboard and port outdoor decks is also available on deck 5 of the Celestyal Odyssey cruise ship.
Although the Celestyal Cruise ships are comfortable and provide a traditional cruise experience of room, board, and entertainment, the ships are not the vacation destination as they are with some cruise lines. Celestyal Cruises is one of the few cruise lines that sails 3- and 4-day cruises in the Mediterranean, and it's also one of the few cruise lines to visit more than one island or port of call each day. Cruise ships like the Celestyal Odyssey arrive at the first port of call early in the morning, and the guests have about 4 or 5 hours ashore. The ship sails during lunch, arriving at another exciting port of call in the late afternoon (around 4 pm).
Guests go ashore for a few more hours, either arriving back at the ship in time for a late dinner or dining ashore.
These destination-focused itineraries don't leave guests with much time on the ship unless they wish to sacrifice their time ashore. So, don't look for water parks or lots of innovative onboard activities and venues on the Celestyal Odyssey or the other Celestyal cruise ships. However, this company's ships are not designed to be the destination; the focus is on the marvelous ports of call in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.