Celestyal Cruises pairs with National Geographic to offer port excursions that give passengers the chance to forge a deep connection with the peoples and cultures of the Greek and Croatian ports they visit.
Celestyal, a cruise line with a deep-rooted connection to Greece and the Mediterranean, has recently launched a series of shore excursions that give passengers an in-depth look into iconic ports of call frequented by the cruise line. The new offerings, which were just launched last month, pair luxury cruising with exclusive National Geographic experiences.
This series of seven National Geographic day tours feature one- and half-day experiences available to passengers sailing to the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. The tours, which are led by National Geographic-trained guides, are designed to immerse travelers in the local culture, nature, community and history of the destinations they visit.
“These unmissable new shore excursions, offered through National Geographic Tours, are the perfect addition to Celestyal’s onshore experiences,” said Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal. “Led by expert guides, they showcase the rich cultural and natural heritage of each destination, while also contributing to sustainable tourism practices worldwide.”
In the Greek capital of Athens, Celestyal is offering the History of the Olympic Games excursion, which takes guests on a tour of sites related to the Olympics and a visit with a former Olympian while visiting the city’s Olympic Sports Complex.
On the island of Rhodes, in Greece’s Dodecanese Islands, passengers can book one of three different excursions like Uncharted Discovery, a guided 4×4 jeep tour that explores the flora and fauna of the island, which is densely covered in greenery, unlike many of Greece’s other well-known islands like Mykonos and Santorini. The Fascinating World of Bees takes a deep dive into the role bees play in nature by visiting the Bee Museum of Rhodes and sampling local honey.
Blutopia — a Marine Biology Experience, also on the roster for Rhodes, gives visitors a personalized introduction to the island’s local community of scientists. Blutopia is a family-run business dedicated to supporting young scientists working in Rhodes to protect the sea and its marine life.
The National Geographic experiences also extend to tours that include Croatia on the itinerary with three shore excursions in Dubrovnik. Travelers can explore the country’s Konvale region to learn about a traditional Croatian art form with the Silk Production and the Tradition Behind Konvale Embroidery excursion. The Benefits and Flavors of Oyster Farming tour delves deep into the culinary scene of Dubrovnik by immersing guests in the oyster-farming industry with a visit to a working oyster farm.
Dubrovnik’s Highlights Through Your Lens allows cruise passengers to visit some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and some of its best-kept secrets under the guidance of a National Geographic photography guide who will guide guests in expert techniques for taking their own quality photos of their trip.
Each of these curated shore excursions aligns with National Geographic’s mission of exploration, research and education. In addition, each tour meets the strict criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international not-for-profit organization that sets the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism.
