Celestyal has unveiled a new programme of 190 shore excursions for its winter Mediterranean cruises, with experiences ranging from food and wine to hands-on workshops, local encounters and traditional sightseeing.

The new programme covers Celestyal’s expanded winter deployments in both the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, with excursions now available to book.

The launch includes 118 excursions for Celestyal Discovery’s new Western Mediterranean programme, operating during winter 2026/27 and 2027/28, and a further 72 excursions for Celestyal Journey’s winter 2027/28 Eastern Mediterranean sailings.

There are half-day, full-day and two-day experiences, giving passengers plenty of choice whether they want to spend a few hours exploring independently or make their shore day a major part of the cruise.

New experiences focus on local life

One of the most interesting additions is Celestyal’s expanded Authentic Encounters collection.

There are 27 new Authentic Encounters, designed around smaller groups and experiences that bring passengers closer to local people, food, traditions and attractions.

The cruise line has also introduced a new Community Connections category.

Rather than concentrating solely on the traditional sights of a destination, these experiences are intended to connect guests with local residents, producers and communities.

For cruise passengers who have already visited the major Mediterranean landmarks, this could offer a different way of experiencing familiar destinations.

Mamas and Tapas, Málaga

One of the new Authentic Encounters is Mamas and Tapas, a full-day experience from Málaga into rural Andalucía.

The excursion begins with a visit to an olive oil mill before continuing to the mountain village of Alfarnate.

Here, guests are welcomed into the homes of local residents for a traditional five-course lunch.

Prices start from £98 per person.

Artisan Cheese Tour and Workshop, Cádiz

From Cádiz, the Artisan Cheese Tour & Workshop heads into the countryside to the small town of El Bosque.

Guests meet local cheesemakers and take part in a hands-on workshop before sampling cheeses produced using milk from livestock farms in the surrounding Sierra de Grazalema.

The half-day excursion starts from £90 per person.

Citrus, spirits and a family-run plantation in Valencia

The new Carcaixent Citrus Plantation & Spirit Tasting is a half-day Community Connections experience that explores one of the region’s traditional industries.

The excursion travels from Valencia into the countryside around Carcaixent, where guests visit a family-run citrus orchard dating back to 1870.

The experience includes an introduction to traditional orange cultivation, followed by tastings of fresh juice, artisan jams and orange-blossom honey.

Guests then have the chance to sample regional citrus liqueurs.

Prices start from £72 per person.

More new Mediterranean experiences

The new programme covers a wide range of interests, with other highlights including:

A hands-on tagine cooking class in Tangier
A private flamenco and tapas experience in Cádiz
Fallas festival workshops in Valencia
A gastronomic tour of Palma’s Mercat de l’Olivar
A Taste of Istanbul experience
A journey aboard the historic mountain railway from Volos

The variety means that passengers can choose between food-focused experiences, cultural activities, hands-on workshops and more traditional sightseeing.

Why winter could be a good time to explore the Mediterranean

Celestyal is positioning its winter Mediterranean cruises as an opportunity to experience destinations at a different pace.

The cruise line says its new excursion programme is designed to make the most of the quieter winter season, when popular destinations can feel less crowded than during the peak summer months.

Janet Parton, Celestyal’s vice president of marketing, PR and customer experience, said the company’s approach is about going beyond simply visiting famous sights and instead meeting local people and experiencing the traditions of each destination.

The new Community Connections experiences are particularly aimed at this type of travel, while also supporting local people and businesses.

15% off selected new excursions

There is also an introductory offer for passengers booking the new Western Mediterranean programme.

Celestyal is offering 15% off excursions for Celestyal Discovery’s new winter 2026/27 Western Mediterranean programme when they are booked before 30 September 2026.

The offer applies to the new excursions included in the programme.

Celestyal winter Mediterranean cruise prices

Celestyal is currently promoting its Uncrowded, Unforgettable, Authentically Med campaign, which runs until 2 November 2026.

Seven-night winter Mediterranean cruises are advertised from £419 per person.

The fare includes:

Meals
Soft drinks
Wi-Fi
Port fees
Gratuities

Excursions are an additional cost, with the new experiences starting from the prices highlighted above.

The Lowdown

The new excursion programme gives Celestyal’s winter Mediterranean cruises a particularly strong focus on food, local culture and authentic experiences, rather than simply ticking off the biggest tourist attractions.

For repeat Mediterranean cruisers, the smaller-group experiences could be especially appealing. Visiting an olive oil mill, meeting local cheesemakers or spending time with a family-run citrus producer offers a very different experience from a standard coach tour.

The pricing also gives passengers a useful range of options, from the £72 citrus experience in Valencia to the £98 full-day Mamas and Tapas tour from Málaga.

With 190 excursions being introduced across the two winter programmes, there should be plenty of opportunities to explore the Mediterranean beyond the usual cruise-port highlights.

Celestyal launches 190 new winter Mediterranean shore excursions