MV Gemini

MS Celestyal Nefeli cruise ship (previously "Gemini" for the now-defunct Quail Travel Group) was built in 1992 as "Crown Jewel" for Crown Cruise Line. Celestyal Nefeli is a luxurious passenger liner with a unique yacht-like design. Stylish lounges, cozy dining venues, and open promenades make the experience of sailing with the Louis Cruises line (renamed in 2014 to Celestyal Cruises) really memorable.

History - construction and ownership

Crown Jewel/Gemini is the largest cruise ship ever built in Spain (at Union Navale de Levante shipyard in Valencia). Crown Cruise Line used the vessel for cruises from the USA (NYC) to the Caribbean, Bermuda and Canada. In 1993, after being chartered to Cunard Line, the ship was renamed "Cunard Crown Jewel". In 1995, it was sold to Star Cruises, renamed "SuperStar Gemini" and homeported in Singapore.

In September 2007, Star Cruises announced that SuperStar Gemini had been sold and in December 2008 left the company fleet. Reportedly the new owner was Jewel Owner Ltd., a company in Bahamas-based Clipper Group of Denmark, which in 2009 chartered the ship to a new operator. In 2008, Clipper Group announced that it would rename the vessel the Vision Star and lease it to the Spanish operator, Vision Cruises. In March 2009, the Vision Cruises company ceased operations.

In early-2009, Mediterranean Classic Cruises was booking voyages in the Aegean Sea aboard Vision Star. However, these sailings were cancelled due to the non-availability of Vision Star (from Vision Cruises). Instead, SuperStar Gemini was renamed Gemini, and until 2011 had a Spanish operator, Quail Travel Group. Since the bankruptcy of Quail Travel in 2011, the cruise ship Gemini was laid up at Tilbury Docks (Essex England) awaiting charter or sale.

In July 2020, Miray International started its own brand ("Miray Cruises") by a multi-year chartering of MV Gemini (inaugural cruise for Miray was scheduled for August 31).

Cruise itinerary program

Celestyal Nefeli itinerary program offered Eastern Mediterranean cruises to Greece and Turkey. The 7-day itineraries are from Piraeus-Athens and Istanbul (overnight stay). From Izmir (Turkey) are offered Greek Islands cruises to Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete (Chania), Santorini and returning to Athens. Next photo shows the Nefeli cruise ship passing through Corinth Canal.

Miray Cruises specialises in short Aegean Sea voyages (3-4-night Greek Isles itineraries) leaving roundtrip from homeports Piraeus-Athens Greece and Cesme Turkey. The itineraries visit some of Greece's most popular islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Syros) plus Turkey (Cesme). Longer voyages additionally visit Rhodes.

Miray Cruises 2021 charter of MV Gemini is planned for the period April through October.

During layup periods (winter months) the vessel remains docked at Port Keratsini (suburb of Athens City).

Cabins

Celestyal Nefeli accommodates a maximum of 1,074 travelers and features 400 staterooms. Of all Celestyal Nefeli cabins, 10 are Suite-grade accommodations each with a private balcony. The ship has a total of 277 oceanview staterooms (including the 10 suites) and 123 interior cabins. Of all outside rooms, 12 are Executive Suites and 31 Junior Suites. Most Executive Suites open to private balconies. Junior Suites are with extra storage space.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

With two eating outlets to choose from, cruisers might enjoy the sumptuous Greek and Mediterranean kitchen onboard as well as twenty-four-hour room service. The Aegean Restaurant is the main dining room onboard Celestyal Nefeli. It is complimentary, features Greek cuisine specialties, and also has a dinner a la carte menu. The MDR restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Leda Casual Dining is the buffet-style venue for alfresco dining with outdoor seating area. Continental Breakfast (7:00 - 8:30 a.m.) and Afternoon Tea (4:00 -5:00 p.m.) are also served here.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Celestyal Nefeli 's standout feature is a 5-deck, glass-walled atrium with windows that are overlooking the sea. Onboard facilities include 5 bars, 4 lounges, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, Oscar's Beauty Center and a casino. The itineraries feature numerous events themed around Greek gastronomy and culture.