Celestyal Discovery

Celestyal Discovery is a mid-sized cruise ship built in 2003 by the German shipyard Aker MTW in Wismar. She spent twenty years with AIDA Cruises as AIDAaura before being sold to Greek line Celestyal Cruises in November 2023 and entering service under her new name in March 2024. Carrying around 1,266 guests, she's genuinely intimate compared with the mega ships that dominate much of the industry today, and comes equipped with bars, lounges, a library, and a two storey theatre.

She was christened AIDAaura by international model Heidi Klum on 12 April 2003 in Warnemunde, and that playful, accessible spirit seems to have stuck with her. What really sets her apart now, though, is a thorough reinvention. A 2025 refurbishment added 47 new cabins, lifting overall capacity by 7.4 percent, while 32 new suites boosted premium accommodation by 52 percent.

Dining spans relaxed to refined. She offers four restaurants, including two complimentary main dining rooms, Thalassa and The Taverna, both with open seating. The Smoked Olive, added in 2025, is a suite guest exclusive restaurant offering complimentary meals alongside select a la carte options, while Grill Seekers is a specialty surf and turf steakhouse that doubles as a VIP private dining venue, serving regional dishes inspired by the itinerary.

Across her 12 decks, 10 of which are passenger accessible, the gym now features new cardio and strength equipment, including MyRide indoor cycles with virtual trainers, and a new Art Gallery showcases works by artists including James Rizzi, Romero Britto, and Udo Lindenberg, with art auctions held regularly onboard.

Her cabins run the full range. The largest staterooms are two Grand Horizon Suites above the Navigation Bridge, each measuring 58 square metres, followed by two Grand Dream Suites on Deck 7 at 57 square metres. In 2025, the ship added 30 new Junior Dream Suites, each 31 square metres, while cabins overall range from 13.5 to 32.0 square metres, with 60 offering a balcony.

Celestyal Discovery suits travellers after a mid-sized ship with character, a strong focus on good food, and the kind of genuine intimacy larger vessels simply can't offer.

Cruised aboard this reinvented classic? Log your Celestyal Discovery voyage on The Cruise Globe to trace the precise route that your specific cruise took!