Celestyal Cruises vs Nicko Cruises

The core difference

Celestyal Cruises is a Greek-owned ocean cruise line operating two mid-size ships — Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, each carrying around 1,200 passengers — from a year-round homeport in Athens. The focus is exclusively on the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Adriatic, with 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries visiting Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos, and beyond. The pricing is genuinely all-inclusive, bundling meals, drinks, shore excursions, and gratuities at rates that start under $400 for a short sailing. Celestyal is an ocean experience — open seas, island hopping, and the Greek coastline.

Nicko Cruises is a long-established German river cruise operator with 30 years on Europe’s waterways. The fleet of around 20 river ships covers the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Elbe, Douro, Rhone, and several more far-flung rivers, carrying 170 to 220 passengers per vessel. The company also operates the ocean-going Vasco da Gama. Nicko’s guiding philosophy is “time to discover” — a slow-cruising approach that prioritises extended port stays and independent exploration over herded excursion programmes. Ships dock in town centres wherever possible, allowing guests to walk off the gangway into the heart of medieval old towns and riverside villages.

This is not a traditional like-for-like comparison. Ocean cruising and river cruising are fundamentally different travel experiences — different ship sizes, different scenery, different daily rhythms, different relationships between the vessel and the destination. The comparison is relevant for Australian travellers planning a European holiday who are deciding how to incorporate a cruise component: a Greek Islands ocean sailing or a European river voyage. Both Celestyal and Nicko represent excellent value within their respective categories, and both serve as compelling add-ons to a broader European itinerary.

What is actually included

Celestyal’s all-inclusive fare covers meals in the buffet and a-la-carte restaurants, a classic drinks package (beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks), two select shore excursions per voyage, port charges, onboard entertainment, and gratuities. The included excursions visit headline archaeological and cultural sites — Ephesus, the Acropolis of Lindos, the Monastery of St John on Patmos — adding genuine educational value. Seven-night sailings start under $900 per person, and the 3-night Iconic starts under $400.

Nicko’s fare typically covers accommodation, meals in the main restaurant with regionally inspired cuisine, and some beverages (varying by sailing and booking class). Shore excursions are offered but priced separately, and gratuities are not included — Nicko suggests 10 to 13 euros per passenger per night. The pricing sits noticeably below premium river cruise brands like Viking, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways, making Nicko an appealing option for value-conscious river cruise enthusiasts.

Celestyal is the more inclusive option at the base fare level. The bundled drinks, excursions, and gratuities simplify budgeting and eliminate end-of-voyage surprises. Nicko’s lower base fare reflects the European river cruise convention of separating excursions and gratuities, which allows guests to be more selective about what they add. For Australian travellers planning a fixed budget, Celestyal’s all-inclusive model is more predictable. For travellers who prefer to choose their own excursions and explore independently — which Nicko’s town-centre docking actively encourages — the a la carte model works well.

Dining and culinary experience

Celestyal’s dining draws from its Greek heritage. The a-la-carte restaurant serves Mediterranean menus with regional specialities — moussaka, grilled octopus, fresh seafood, and lamb — alongside international options. The buffet provides a broader selection. Greek cooking classes, olive oil tastings, and themed Greek evenings add cultural context. The food is regionally authentic and well-suited to the short, port-intensive itineraries.

Nicko’s dining reflects the river being sailed. Austrian specialities feature on Danube voyages, Alsatian dishes on Rhine sailings, and Portuguese cuisine on Douro itineraries. The main restaurant serves multi-course dinners with regional wines, and the dining atmosphere is relaxed and sociable. Nicko’s flagship NickoVision features a split-level dining room with extensive glass, creating a genuine sense of space and connection to the passing landscape. Dinner on a river cruise is inherently scenic — the riverbank glides past the window as you eat, and the experience of dining while watching medieval castles, vineyards, and illuminated cityscapes is unique to river cruising.

Both lines connect their dining to their geography, but the experiences differ in character. Celestyal delivers Greek Mediterranean cuisine in an ocean setting where the view is open sea between island stops. Nicko delivers regional European cuisine in a river setting where the scenery is continuous — every meal offers a changing panorama of riverbank, village, and landscape. For food-motivated travellers, both lines prioritise regional authenticity over culinary innovation, and both deliver honest, well-prepared meals that complement their itineraries.

Suites and accommodation

Celestyal’s cabins range from interior staterooms to balcony cabins and suites across both ships. The vessels are older and refurbished, with functional cabin dimensions appropriate for 3- to 7-night sailings. In-cabin experience tablets were introduced fleet-wide in early 2026. The cabin is a base for sleeping and refreshing between port calls.

Nicko’s cabins are all outside-facing with windows or French balconies across the fleet — a standard feature of modern river cruise ships where interior cabins are rare. Cabin sizes vary by ship class: the flagship NickoVision offers more spacious accommodation with panoramic windows, while smaller vessels on the Rhine and Moselle are cosier. Nicko classifies ships by a wave rating system (three to five waves), roughly equivalent to four- to five-star hotel standards on land. The NickoSPIRIT (170 passengers) on the Rhine and Moselle offers a boutique, intimate feel.

The accommodation philosophies differ by medium. Ocean ships offer interior, ocean-view, and balcony options across a wider price range. River ships typically offer only outside cabins because the ship is narrow enough that every cabin can face the water. Nicko’s guarantee of outside-facing cabins with windows or French balconies is standard for river cruising but represents a genuine advantage over Celestyal’s interior stateroom options. For travellers who value watching the scenery from bed — and river cruising makes this a constant pleasure — Nicko’s all-outside configuration is appealing.

Pricing and value

Celestyal’s pricing starts under $400 per person for the 3-night Iconic Greek Islands, all-inclusive with meals, drinks, two excursions, and gratuities. Seven-night sailings start under $900. For Australians, return flights to Athens add approximately AUD $1,500 to $2,500, making a complete Celestyal Greek Islands holiday achievable for under AUD $3,000 per person.

Nicko’s pricing sits noticeably below the premium river cruise brands. Seven-night Danube or Rhine sailings can start from approximately EUR $900 to $1,500 per person (roughly AUD $1,400 to $2,400), with excursions and gratuities additional. The pricing gap between Nicko and premium competitors like Viking (which typically starts from EUR $2,000 to $3,000 for comparable itineraries) is significant. For Australians, return flights to European embarkation cities add approximately AUD $1,500 to $2,500.

Both lines deliver strong value within their categories. Celestyal is the budget champion of Greek Islands cruising. Nicko is the value option for European river cruising. For Australians choosing between the two, the total holiday cost is comparable — both require long-haul flights to Europe, and both deliver competitive cruise fares once there. The choice is driven by destination preference (Greek Islands versus European rivers) rather than price.

Spa and wellness

Celestyal’s spa is modest — treatment rooms offering massage, facials, and body treatments alongside a fitness centre and pool deck. The Mediterranean climate supports outdoor relaxation. On short, port-intensive sailings, spa time is limited.

Nicko’s wellness facilities are proportionate to the river ship format. Smaller vessels may offer a small fitness area and sauna, while the larger NickoVision includes a more complete wellness zone. River cruise spas are necessarily compact — the ships are typically 11.4 metres wide to fit through European locks — but treatment rooms and saunas are available on most vessels. The wellness experience on a river cruise is inherently different: the gentle pace of the voyage, the absence of ocean swell, and the continuous scenic engagement create a naturally relaxing environment.

Neither line competes on spa facilities with major cruise operators. Both provide adequate wellness amenities for their respective ship sizes and travel styles. The relaxation value of a river cruise — gliding through vine-covered valleys and past medieval villages at walking pace — is a form of wellness that no ocean cruise spa can replicate. Conversely, the Mediterranean sun, the pool deck, and the opportunity to swim in the Aegean provide a different kind of physical renewal that river ships cannot offer.

Entertainment and enrichment

Celestyal’s entertainment is culturally immersive — Greek cooking classes, traditional dancing lessons, wine tastings, and live Greek music. Evening shows are modest, and overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos invite guests ashore for evening entertainment. The destination is the spectacle.

Nicko’s enrichment follows the river cruise model of destination-led programming. Guest lecturers cover the history and culture of the regions being sailed, and the “time to discover” philosophy prioritises independent exploration during extended port stays. Ships dock in town centres wherever possible — guests walk off the gangway into the heart of a medieval old town, a riverside market, or a vineyard village — eliminating the tender and transfer logistics of ocean cruising. Evening entertainment is low-key: live music, conversation, and the passing scenery.

Both lines share a destination-first entertainment philosophy. Neither offers production shows, comedy clubs, or high-energy nightlife. Both attract travellers who consider the destination the entertainment and the ship the vehicle. The key difference is the relationship between ship and shore: Celestyal requires tender or dock transfers at each island port, with set arrival and departure times. Nicko docks in town centres with a gangway to the street, often allowing guests to come and go freely throughout the day and evening. For independent explorers, Nicko’s town-centre docking is a notable advantage.

Fleet and destination coverage

Celestyal’s two ships sail year-round from Athens to the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Adriatic, with winter deployments to Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Itineraries range from 3-night Iconic sailings to 7-night voyages. The geographic focus is narrow and deep — Greek waters exclusively, with unmatched frequency and knowledge of the region.

Nicko’s fleet of around 20 river ships covers an extensive network of European waterways — the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Elbe, Douro, Rhone, and more. The fleet varies in size and style to match different river requirements: narrow-lock dimensions on the Main-Danube Canal demand different vessels than the broad lower Danube. The flagship NickoVision carries up to 220 passengers on the Danube, while smaller vessels like the NickoSPIRIT (170 passengers) cruise the Rhine and Moselle with a boutique feel. The ocean-going Vasco da Gama extends the range beyond rivers.

The fleet comparison is one of kind rather than scale. Celestyal covers one region deeply with two ocean ships. Nicko covers a dozen rivers with 20 specialised vessels, each adapted to the specific navigational requirements of its waterway. For Australian travellers planning a European holiday, the destination choice is genuinely different: Celestyal offers the Greek Islands by sea, while Nicko offers the European heartland by river — Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Basel, Porto, Cologne, and dozens of smaller towns along the waterways.

Where each line excels

Celestyal excels in:

Greek Islands value. All-inclusive fares starting under $400 for 3-night sailings with meals, drinks, excursions, and gratuities bundled. The most affordable way to cruise the Greek Islands.

Short taster cruises. The 3- and 4-night Iconic itineraries are perfect for adding a Greek Islands cruise to a European holiday without a major time commitment.

Overnight island stays. Overnight stops in Santorini and Mykonos allow guests to experience the islands after the day-trippers leave — sunset, dinner, and nightlife ashore.

Nicko excels in:

River cruise value. Pricing noticeably below Viking, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways for comparable European river itineraries. A solid four-star experience at three-star pricing.

Town-centre docking. Ships dock in the heart of cities and villages wherever possible, allowing guests to walk off the gangway into the destination — no tenders, no transfers, no logistics.

Destination depth. Extended port stays and the “time to discover” philosophy encourage independent exploration rather than rushed coach excursions. The slow pace suits travellers who want to linger.

European river coverage. Twenty ships across the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Elbe, Douro, and beyond — a network that covers the European heartland far more comprehensively than any ocean line.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Celestyal’s 3-Night Iconic Greek Islands (roundtrip Athens) is the standout for Australians fitting a Greek Islands cruise into a European holiday. Mykonos, Santorini, and Kusadasi with an overnight in Santorini, all-inclusive for under $400 per person. Fly to Athens from Sydney or Melbourne via Singapore, Doha, or Dubai.

Celestyal’s 7-Night Heavenly Adriatic extends the experience to Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Corfu alongside Greek ports. At under $900 per person all-inclusive, this is excellent value for a broader Eastern Mediterranean voyage.

Nicko’s Classic Danube (7 nights, typically Passau to Budapest or similar routing) is the signature European river cruise — the Blue Danube, Wachau Valley vineyards, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. NickoVision offers the most spacious experience with split-level dining and panoramic glass. Fly to Munich or Vienna from Australian gateways via the Middle East or Singapore, then transfer to the embarkation port.

Nicko’s Rhine and Moselle (7-10 nights, Basel or Amsterdam) brings guests through vineyard valleys, medieval castle country, and university towns including Cologne, Koblenz, and Heidelberg. The smaller NickoSPIRIT (170 passengers) offers a particularly intimate experience. Fly to Amsterdam or Basel from Australian gateways.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery (approximately 1,200 guests each) deliver a comparable experience. Choose by itinerary — the 3- or 4-night Iconic sailings for a taster, the 7-night Heavenly Adriatic for a fuller experience. Both ships received in-cabin experience tablets in early 2026.

NickoVision (up to 220 passengers, Danube) is the flagship river vessel. The split-level layout and extensive glass create genuine space, and the Danube itineraries visiting Vienna, Budapest, and the Wachau Valley are the most popular in Nicko’s programme. Choose for the classic European river cruise experience.

NickoSPIRIT (170 passengers, Rhine and Moselle) offers a more intimate, boutique river cruise. The smaller ship suits the narrower waterways and creates a cosier atmosphere. Choose for vineyard-country river cruising through the Rhine Gorge and Moselle Valley.

Smaller Nicko vessels on the Elbe, Douro, and Rhone cater to specific river requirements with adapted vessel designs. For Australian travellers venturing beyond the classic Danube and Rhine, the Douro through Portugal’s wine country offers a distinctive and increasingly popular alternative.

Note for Australian travellers: verify that your chosen Nicko sailing operates in English. Most departures are German-language, and English-language sailings are bookable through specialist agent Light Blue Travel in the UK.

For Australian travellers specifically

Neither line has significant Australian market presence, and both require long-haul flights to reach European embarkation points.

Celestyal requires flights to Athens — approximately 20 to 24 hours via one connection through Singapore, Doha, or Dubai. The short 3- and 4-night itineraries make Celestyal an ideal add-on to a broader European or Greek holiday. The line is best booked through specialist cruise agents familiar with the product.

Nicko requires flights to European embarkation cities — Budapest, Amsterdam, Basel, or Vienna — which are reached from Australian gateways in 18 to 24 hours via Middle Eastern or Asian hubs. River cruise embarkation points are often more conveniently located than ocean cruise ports, being in or near major city centres. Nicko’s English-language sailings are relatively new, so Australian travellers should confirm language before booking and consider booking through a UK-based specialist agent.

For Australian travellers with time for both, a combined Celestyal Greek Islands cruise and Nicko river cruise within a single European holiday is an appealing proposition. A 3-night Celestyal Iconic from Athens followed by a flight to Budapest or Vienna for a 7-night Danube river cruise delivers two fundamentally different European cruise experiences within a two-week holiday — island-hopping in the Aegean and gliding through the European heartland. The combined cost, including flights and both cruises, is achievable for under AUD $6,000 per person.

The onboard atmosphere

Celestyal’s atmosphere is warm, Mediterranean, and destination-focused. The passenger mix is predominantly European — Greek, British, German, and French travellers — with a relaxed, sociable energy. Greek music on the pool deck, regional cuisine, and the islands visible from the rail create an ambiance rooted in the Aegean. The dress code is casual to smart casual. Ships carrying around 1,200 passengers feel mid-size — large enough for anonymity if desired, small enough for recognition.

Nicko’s atmosphere is relaxed, unhurried, and distinctly continental European. The passenger base on German-language sailings is predominantly German-speaking, with English-language departures drawing a more international mix. The pace is slow by design — extended port stays, independent exploration, and the gentle rhythm of river travel create a contemplative atmosphere. Ships carrying 170 to 220 passengers are genuinely intimate — by the second evening, most guests know each other by sight. The dress code is smart casual, and evening conversation often revolves around the day’s explorations and the next morning’s port.

The atmospheric difference reflects the medium. Ocean cruising carries an energy that comes from open sea, sun, and island anticipation. River cruising carries a calm that comes from continuous scenery, gentle movement, and the proximity of the shore. Celestyal’s atmosphere is holiday-like — Mediterranean warmth, Greek music, and the excitement of approaching a new island. Nicko’s atmosphere is contemplative — the slow revelation of a new landscape around every river bend, the quiet pleasure of watching the world glide past from the sun deck.

The bottom line

Celestyal Cruises and Nicko Cruises occupy different categories of European cruising — ocean versus river — and the comparison is less about choosing between competitors than about choosing between fundamentally different travel experiences. Both are niche operators with strong value propositions and limited Australian visibility. Both reward travellers willing to look beyond the major brands.

Choose Celestyal for a Greek Islands cruise that delivers extraordinary value. Choose it for all-inclusive fares from under $400, for overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos, for included shore excursions to ancient sites, and for the simplicity of a short sailing from Athens. Accept the older ships, the modest entertainment, and the narrow geographic focus.

Choose Nicko for a European river cruise that prioritises destination depth over onboard luxury. Choose it for town-centre docking that puts you in the heart of Vienna, Budapest, and medieval Rhine villages. Choose it for pricing below the premium river brands. Choose it for the slow, contemplative pace of river travel through vine-covered valleys and past illuminated castles. Accept the compact ship dimensions, the limited onboard facilities, and the need to verify English-language availability.

For Australian travellers planning a European holiday, both lines offer excellent value as components of a larger trip. A Celestyal Greek Islands taster and a Nicko Danube river cruise within the same European journey deliver two perspectives on the continent that complement each other perfectly — and the combined cost is less than a single premium ocean cruise of comparable length.