Sustainable Travel! Celestyal Cruise Ship The First To Sail In Greek Waters With Marine Biofuel
Celestyal Cruises just made sustainable travel history by being the first-ever cruise ship to operate in Greek waters using a marine biofuel blend. The announcement came with the delivery to the Port of Lavrion in southeastern Attica. The delivery was conducted in partnership with Celestyal and Coral Marine Products, SA, part of the Motor Oil Group.
Celestyal Cruises sails Greek waters with sustainable marine biofuel
The Celestyal Discovery was just refueled in the Port of Lavrion in Greece with a locally produced blend, combining conventional marine fuel with a second-generation biofuel, derived from used and recycled cooking oils.
The locally produced blend was created by Motor Oil’s subsidiary, Verd, and is fully compliant with the new ISO 8217:2024 standards. Moreover, the eco-friendly fuel is credited with reducing CO₂ emissions by around 21 percent.
‘Meaningful shift toward sustainable cruising’
Captain George Koumpenas, COO at Celestyal Cruises, said in a statement:
This initiative marks a meaningful shift toward sustainable cruising. We are proud that Celestyal Discovery is taking the lead in reducing the environmental footprint of the cruise sector in Greece.
From refreshing our fleet to expanding our itineraries, sustainability is central to our long-term vision. This pioneering use of biofuel is a proud moment for us and demonstrates what’s possible when local expertise and global ambition come together.
We’re committed to exploring further solutions that support our planet and enhance the cruising experience for future generations.
About the Celestyal Discovery
The 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery joined the fleet in November 2023 and has now completed her second, multi-million Euro refurbishment. Moreover, between April and November 2025, the cruise ship will offer three- and four-night “Iconic Greek Islands” cruises out of Athens, with port calls in Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes and Santorini. Affordable prices for the cruise start at $389 per person.
Following this, Celestyal Discovery will head to the Arabian Gulf, while operating her first season of three- and four-night “Iconic Arabia” cruises. These will depart from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and will make port calls at Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Islands, Doha, Khasab and Ras al Khaimah.
These cruises are priced from $718 for two guests, on a three-night cruise, and $918 for two passengers on a four night voyage. Learn more on the cruise line’s website here.
Celestyal’s sustainability
Meanwhile, Celestyal has been making other ongoing improvements besides biofuels across its operations to reduce its environmental footprint. According to TTW, the cruise line has introduced advanced waste management practices onboard its ships. Moreover, it is partnering with sustainable suppliers, while promoting responsible tourism and is dedicated to taking meaningful steps to protect the planet while continuing to offer world-class experiences to its guests.
Meanwhile, it is good to know that Celestyal’s efforts to reduce emissions and adopt environmentally-friendly fuel options like biofuels aligns with broader worldwide goals to mitigate climate change and reduce the cruise industry’s carbon footprint. With ongoing investments in sustainability, Celestyal is placing itself at the forefront of the global movement toward greener and more responsible sailing.