Greek cruise line Celestyal is giving away a free cruise to every Australian athlete who won a medal at the recent Paris 2024 Olympics.
The cruise line – which has headquarters in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games – has launched the special offer* to celebrate Australia’s record-breaking success in Paris.
With 53 medals in total – 18 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze – it was a record haul for the Australian team at an overseas games, including the most golds, eclipsing the previous high of 17 in Athens 2004 and Tokyo 2020.
The offer cements the ties that bind Greece and Australia together in Olympics history, with Greece and Australia the only two nations with representatives at every modern Olympics since the first Summer Games in 1896.
All medal winners can choose from a selection of complimentary cruises including:
- A seven-night ‘Steps of Paul’ voyage, departing Athens on October 12, 2024, onboard Celestyal Journey, calling at Thessaloniki, Kavala, Istanbul, Dikili, Kusadasi and Patmos.
- A selection of seven-night ‘Desert Days’ voyages departing Doha on Celestyal Journey. Eight options are available sailing between December 2024 and March 2025, calling at Khalifa Bin Salman, Dubai, Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi.
- A selection of seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ voyages departing Athens on Celestyal Journey. With 14 options available sailing between May and October, 2025, calling at Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Heraklion (Crete), Santorini, Mykonos and Milos.
- A selection of seven-night ‘Heavenly Adriatic’ departing Athens in 2025 on Celestyal Journey. With four options available sailing between April and August 2025, calling at Kotor, Split, Venice or Bari and Katakolo for visits to nearby Ancient Olympia.
Celestyal’s Greece itineraries also offer the ‘National Geographic Day Tour – The history of the Olympic games in Athens’ shore excursion, led by National Geographic-trained guides. Guests trace the evolution of the Olympic Games on an in-depth tour of Olympic sites and discover how ancient Greek athletes continue to inspire the country today. The tour includes an opportunity to meet a former Olympic athlete for an exclusive viewing of the Olympic Sports Complex.
Onboard Celestyal Journey, athletes will enjoy the Sozo Spa experience, which features a series of Ayurvedic treatments, a fully equipped gym, thermal beds and steam rooms. Dining options include the Taverna and Thalassa restaurants, Grill Seekers with Australian lamb chops, modern Asian fusion at Pink Moon, plus poolside Mediterranean street food at the Greek Deli.
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “Following years of exceptionally hard training and the pressures of competing at an Olympic Games, both mentally and physically, there’s no better way for Olympic heroes to unwind and relax than on a Celestyal cruise. Onboard, they can enjoy our extensive wellness program, indulge in authentic and fresh cuisine and explore wonderful ports of call. We look forward to welcoming Australia’s medallists and their guests onboard with our renowned warm hospitality”.
To book their sailing, Australia’s medal winning Olympians can contact Celestyal via email at medalist@celestyal.com by September 30, 2024.
*The offer is for a cruise only including one complimentary guest – no flights are included, taxes and gratuities to be paid separately. Full T&Cs below.
For more information visit celestyal.com or call 1800 648 737.
Terms and conditions:
Valid for a cruise for two people sharing the same cabin that starts and ends in Athens,Greece or Doha, Qatar.
The cruise is valid for the following 2024-2025 departures only and at the operating periods officially announced by Celestyal:
October 12, 2024, December 7, 2024, December 14, 2024, December 21 2024, December 28 2024, January 4 2025, February 15,2025, February 22, 2025, March 1, 2025, April 26,
2025, May 3, 2025, May 10, 2025, May 17, 2025, June 7, 2025, June 14, 2025, June 21, 2025, June 28, 2025, July 5, 2025, July 12, 2025, September 6, 2025, September 13, 2025,
September 20, 2025, September 27, 2025, October 4, 2025, October 11, 2025, October 18,2025 and November 8, 2025.
Sailing dates and cabin categories are subject to availability.The prize includes: the cabin, all meals and select drinks during dining only, gratuities,entertainment onboard and a shore excursion discount per person of
A$120 valid for any shore excursion prebooked (at least 48h) prior to embarkation in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions.
Any other expenses not specifically outlined above are excluded. Any flights for the purpose of participation in the cruise, transportation to and from the vessel, travel insurance, onboard expenses such as room service, wi-fi, casino, duty free, beauty and wellness centre services, laundry etc. are not included in the offer. In order to book, contact medalist@celestyal.com or call 1800 648 737.
The cruise is not transferable and cannot be redeemed or exchanged for money or other gifts. The cruise and its performance are subject to the Conditions of Carriage, Booking Terms and Conditions and any relevant guidelines/protocols for embarkation. These are
available on the Celestyal website. It is advisable to check all the above as well as al government travel advice before booking and embarking on any travel and you and your guest are responsible for ensuring that you have, for the duration of your travel, valid passports, and any requisite visas, vaccinations (if required) and other travel documentation as may be required at your own cost.