CELESTYAL CRUISES EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH ARK OF THE WORLD TO SUPPORT REFUGEES OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE

Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning, number one choice for cruise travelers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, has expanded its ongoing partnership with Athens-based Ark of the World, a non-profit organization committed to providing care and protection to children, who come from single-parent families or are without parent and who experience difficult circumstances, neglect, abandonment, lack of medical care and an uncertain future. Celestyal Cruises has been working in partnership with Ark of the World since 2016 to support their work with abandoned and abused children. Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, according to United Nations’ estimates, more than 40,000 refugees have come to Greece and more than 11,000 of them are children. Celestyal Cruises and Ark of the World have once again joined forces to help this vulnerable young population and provide them with a distraction of the horrors of war and make them feel more at home in Greece.

From June 20-25, Celestyal hosted 40 refugees, mothers and children from Ukraine, onboard a cruise on the Celestyal Olympia together with volunteers from Ark of the World and its founder, Father Anthony, so they could experience destinations in their “home away from home,” such as Ancient Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion and Santorini. The educational cruise provided the children with the opportunity to visit key landmarks, monuments, archaeological sites and taste the local flavors, while also enjoying other recreational on-board activities.

"We are pleased to partner with the Ark of the World, supporting their work and contribution to the vulnerable groups affected by the war in Ukraine. In these extremely trying and unpredictable times worldwide, it is values such as humanity, solidarity and hospitality that matter the most," said Frosso Zaroulea, head of public relations. Celestyal Cruises.