Elixir Elysium yacht

The 1998-built Elixir Elysium yacht (formerly "Emerald Dream" and "Celebrity Xperience") joined the Celebrity CruisesGalapagos fleet in March 2017. The vessel features indoor and outdoor dining areas, a library, two bars, and a Sundeck with a Jacuzzi. Until 2020, she was part of the company's small "expedition fleet," alongside Celebrity Xpedition (2001), Celebrity Xploration (2007), and Celebrity Flora (2019).

History – construction and ownership

Celebrity Cruises (founded in 1988 as "Chandris Line") originated as a Greece-based, family-owned passenger shipping company operating between 1974 and 1996. In 1997, Royal Caribbean International merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to form "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL, now RCG – Royal Caribbean Group). The iconic "X" on the funnels represents the Greek letter chi, standing for "Chandris."

The 48-passenger Celebrity Xperience was marketed as a top-luxury Galapagos expedition yacht. In spring 2016, Celebrity acquired the tour operator "Ocean Adventures" and its two vessels – the 48-passenger yacht Xperience (formerly Eclipse) and the 16-passenger catamaran Xploration (formerly Athala II). With this acquisition, Celebrity expanded its Galapagos fleet capacity by 65%. Both vessels continued to operate on Ocean Adventures' itineraries until January 2017, when they were drydock refurbished by Celebrity. Xperience stood out as a more adventurous option compared to the larger vessels, accommodating just 48 passengers and offering active itineraries that appealed to younger, well-educated travelers.

In December 2020, Celebrity’s parent company RCG (Royal Caribbean Group) sold the Galapagos-based Celebrity Xperience to the Panamanian company "Emerald Blue Cruises." The 22-year-old vessel (IMO 8112902) operated under the names "Celebrity Xperience" (January 2016–March 2020), "MS Xperience" (April–November 2020), and "Emerald Dream" (2020–2021).

• After being acquired by Emerald Blue Cruises (May 2021), the yacht was reflagged from Ecuador (Guayaquil-registered) to Panama (MMSI 735057561/Colon).
• EMERALD BLUE CRUISES SA (Panama) was established on October 22, 2020, under Company Number 155698196. The company’s management includes Pedro Ortega Jones (President) and Ioanis Karnakis Kosmas (Director).

In May 2021, it was announced that the Emerald Dream’s new owner was Athens, Greece-based ELIXIR CRUISES (led by President and CEO Ioannis Termidos), operating as "Elixir Boutique Cruises." The vessel, renamed "Elysium," was scheduled to launch in the Aegean Sea with an inaugural summer season (8-day Greek Isles itineraries) running from June 26 to October 2021. The two themed programs – "Ancient Paths" (Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corinth Canal transit) and "Divine Cyclades" (visiting 14 islands including Mykonos and Santorini) – showcased Greece’s most iconic destinations.

In 2021, the yacht was renamed "Elysium" and reflagged from Panama to St. Kitts and Nevis (MMSI 341200000).

Decks and Cabins

Celebrity Xperience staterooms (24 total) are all outside/oceanview and fully air-conditioned. Cabins provide an intimate atmosphere, with amenities including wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, and binoculars to enhance guests’ Galapagos experience.

The yacht has five decks, four of which are passenger-accessible, with accommodations on two decks.

Shipboard amenities and activities

Celebrity Xperience offered excellent service, fine dining, and an intimate atmosphere for exotic voyages, while retaining many amenities of larger ships. Cruise fares included beer, liquor, soft drinks, house wine, gratuities, and shore excursions. Dining options featured a main restaurant with a casual yet elegant ambiance, an Early Riser continental breakfast, and open-air lunches with specialty drinks and music. On select evenings, guests could enjoy "Dinner Under the Stars."

The Lounge Bar, located on the Weather Deck, hosted daily briefings, lectures, movies, entertainment, and full bar service. The Reception area served as a gathering place before meals or shore excursions and housed Guest Relations and a Boutique. On the Boat Deck, the library offered books, table games, and video games. The outdoor relaxation area included a shaded lounge space, sunbeds, and a hot tub, along with two exercise bikes.

Celebrity Cruises itineraries (Galapagos)

Celebrity Xperience’s itinerary program featured year-round roundtrips (7- to 13-day voyages) across the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also introduced "Xperiential Galapagos" packages, which included cultural interactions, multi-night hotel stays, and expanded routes calling at Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island), Puerto Villamil (Isabela Island), Wall of Tears (Isabela), Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island), and Chinese Hat Island.

The following map of Galapagos itineraries shows the two main routes (inner and outer loops) and all island stops (ports and landing sites).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 the Elysium yacht began operating in the Eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea) under Elixir Cruises, calling at popular Greek islands such as Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini (Thira), and Milos (Adamas), with roundtrip departures from Lavrion.

Elixir Cruises itineraries

In summer 2024, Elixir Cruises introduced new 7-day Aegean itineraries (Lavrion roundtrips), featuring a Corinth Canal transit and visits to Itea/Delphi, Katakolon-Olympia, Gythion, Nafplio/Mycenae, Elafonisos Island, and Hydra Island.

Today, Elixir Cruises also offers the yacht for private charters, making her available for "sea parties" and special occasions, including destination weddings, honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, business meetings, conferences at sea, and educational voyages for students.