Elixir Elysium yacht

The 1998-built Elixir Elysium yacht (fka "Emerald Dream" and "Celebrity Xperience") entered the Celebrity Cruises' Galapagos fleet in March 2017. The boat features indoor and outdoor dining areas, a library, 2 bars, a Sundeck with Jacuzzi. Until 2020, the vessel belonged to the company's small-sized "expedition fleet" - with fleetmates Celebrity Xpedition (2001), Celebrity Xploration (2007), Celebrity Flora (2019).

History - construction and ownership

Celebrity Cruises (1988-founded as "Chandris Line") started as a Greece-based passenger shipping company/family-owned with operations between 1974-1996. In 1997, RCI-Royal Caribbean International merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to become "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL/now RCG-Royal Caribbean Group). The "X" on ship funnels is the Greek letter chi (standing for "Chandris").

The 48-passenger ship Celebrity Xperience was advertised as a top-luxury Galapagos expedition yacht. In spring 2016, Celebrity acquired the tour operator "Ocean Adventures" and its two boats - the 48-passenger yacht Xperience (formerly Eclipse) and the 16-passenger catamaran Xploration (fka "Athala II"). With the acquisition, Celebrity increased its Galapagos fleet capacity by 65%. Both vessels continued to sail on Ocean Adventures itineraries up until January 2017 (when were drydock-refurbished by Celebrity). Xperience was an adventurous alternative to the larger boats, with capacity just 48 passengers and active itineraries which attracted younger and better-educated tourists.

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

• Following the acquisition from Emerald Blue Cruises (May 2021), the boat was reflagged from Ecuador (Guayaquil-registered) to Panama (MMSI number 735057561/Colon).
• EMERALD BLUE CRUISES SA (Panama) is a new travel brand/company founded 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 was announced that Emerald Dream's shipowner is the Athens Greece-based company ELIXIR CRUISES (led by President and CEO Ioannis Termidos) marketed as "Elixir Boutique Cruises". The ship (renamed "Elysium") was scheduled to start operations in the Aegean Sea with an inaugural season for ELIXIR (8-day Greek Isles itineraries) starting June 26 and ending in October 2021. The company's two Greek Islands cruises are themed "Ancient Paths" (Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corinth Canal transit) and "Divine Cyclades" (visits 14 islands in the Cyclades archipelago, including Mykonos and Santorini).

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. All amenities offer an intimate atmosphere and all the gear you will need, such as wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, and binoculars, included to help guests fully experience the most amazing archipelago in the world.

The boat has 5 decks, of which 4 are passenger-accessible and 2 with cabins.

Shipboard amenities and activities

Celebrity Xperience cruise ship offers excellent service and food, intimate setting for exotic voyages, together with many of the larger ships' amenities. Celebrity Xperience cruise fares include beer, liquor, soft drinks, house wine, and all gratuities and shore excursions. The dining options feature a main dining room with an elegant yet casual ambiance. Guests can also enjoy an Early Riser continental breakfast and lunch under the open air shade canopy including specialty drinks and music, or on special nights, consider Dinner Under the Stars.

The Lounge Bar, located on the WeatherDeck, is where passengers get daily briefings, lectures, movies, entertainment, and full bar service. The Reception area is a gathering place before dinner time or prior to going ashore. It houses the Guest Relations area and a Boutique. Located on the Boat Deck, the library has a variety of books, table games, video games. The outdoor relaxation area offers a shade canopy, lounge chairs, and a hot tub. There are also two exercise bikes.

Celebrity Cruises itineraries (Galapagos)

Celebrity Xperience itinerary program was based on year-round roundtrips (7-13-day voyages) throughout the Galapagos region. In addition, Celebrity also started to offer the new "Xperiential Galapagos" packages, interactions with locals, multi-night hotel stays, expanded itineraries visiting Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island), Puerto Villamil (Isabela Island), Wall of Tears (Isabela Island), Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz Island), Chinese Hat Island.

The next map of the Galapagos Islands cruise ship itineraries shows the park's two main routes (inner loop and outer loop) and the archipelago's all island stops (ports/landing sites).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021, for Elixir Cruises the Elysium yacht operates in the Eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea) visiting popular Greek Islands like Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini (Thira), Milos (Adamas), with roundtrip departures from homeport Lavrion.

Elixir Cruises itineraries

In 2024 summer, Elixir Cruises introduced new Aegean Sea/Greek Islands itineraries (7-day Lavrion roundtrips) features passing through the Corinth Canal and visiting Itea/Delphi, Katakolon-Olympia, Gythion, Nafplio/Mycenae, Elafonisos Island and Hydra Island.

Currently, Elixir Cruises offers the boat for private chartering, making it available for "sea parties" and special occasions like including destination weddings, honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, business meetings and conferences at sea, educational voyages (for students).