Brand Backstory
Born of a post-war desire to share his love of his home country with the world, historian Diogenis Venetopoulos first began organising small group trips around Greece in 1949. Variety Cruises, which today operates eight small ships and has branched out to sail the Seychelles and Tahiti, was founded in 2005 when Lakis Veneopoulos, Diogenis’s son, merged the then Zeus Tours & Yachts with Hellas Yachts. Each small ship carries between 34 and 72 guests, and because the company is still run by the family that started it, everything feels intimate and passenger-focused. The real beauty of these small, local-expert-led sailings is that they reach secluded bays and hidden coves that can’t be reached any other way.
Ship Snapshot
Our home at sea for our Unexplored Greece cruise was the 173-foot Panorama, which sleeps 49 guests and between 16 and 18 crew members. The three-masted sailing ship was built in 1993 and has an old-world charm to it, featuring polished wood panelling and soft fabrics. I loved the retro hooks by the manager’s desk where you leave your cabin keys when you disembark for the day.
The ship was dry-docked and rebuilt in 2001, but still retains its nostalgic heart. Variety’s fleet is mostly around the same size, though their character varies. The Panorama stays close to home and only sails the waters of Greece, also including the Jewels of the Cyclades cruise and the Wines of Greece.
Onboard Amenities
Life onboard the Panorama consists of lounging around on the sun deck with a book and a glass of wine from the cosy indoor bar, and enjoying the daily swim stops. Snorkelling equipment and a kayak are provided, and guests can take to the water directly from the swim deck or take the tender boat to the tiny beaches near each stop. Visiting those little bays where we were the only people around and had the sand and the sea all to ourselves was the highlight of each day for me.
Beach towels, water bottles and sunscreen are provided, and indoors, there are books and games in the little library. The dining area offers constant sea views from its large windows, and the space is quite intimate. On our last night, the captain’s table included all 24 of us passengers.
Staterooms
On the upper deck, eight category A cabins have double beds, windows, and plush furnishings. These cabins are more spacious than the category B cabins on the lower deck, which also have double beds or two singles. The category C cabins, which I had, are also on the lower deck and have two single beds and a porthole. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning. All cabins also have a TV, and bathrooms are well stocked with toiletries.
What’s Included
The real pull of a Variety cruise is the exploration aspect. I loved visiting those small bays, but we also docked each afternoon or evening at a small Greek island yet to be swamped by tourists. On some of the islands, it felt like our little ship of people were the only tourists there, even though it was high season when we sailed. We visited a family-run winery, took a walking tour of the old streets, including hidden gardens, and drank the local raki. We bathed in natural spring waters on a blue zone island, visited monasteries, and climbed all the way to the top of hills to sip local lemonade in the ‘chora’ (the town).
Onboard meals are buffet style, but while soft drinks are included, note that alcoholic drinks are to be paid for. Evenings are laid back and quiet if you’re on the ship, but often you’re off exploring the local bars and restaurants of the next port. I loved the Greek night onboard Panorama when local folk dancers came onboard, and we all joined in.
Tea and coffee machines offer free hot drinks all day at no charge, and wine and fruit are left in each cabin for guests to enjoy. Gratuities are not included, and these are paid anonymously before you depart the ship. The Panorama sails from Piraeus, Athens. We spent a couple of days at each side of our cruise in Athens, exploring the historic city.
Food and Drink
The onboard chef serves up an extensive buffet at breakfast and either lunch or dinner, depending on the day’s itinerary. The local dishes of stuffed peppers and chicken skewers with Greek salad and baklava to finish were a delight, but there are also other nationalities’ cuisines, like pastas and burgers. The feta and spinach pies and the apple pastries at breakfast were my personal weakness.
Dinners were typically casual, with the exception of the last dinner, when it was the captain’s table. Because tables are limited, as on most cruises, you will most likely be sitting with other guests for meals. With the intimate nature of this cruise, with so few passengers, meant we all got to know each other very well, and it never felt awkward. We left the cruise feeling like we’d made friends for life.
Fast Facts
Location: Greek Islands
Vibe: Casual and intimate.
Rating: 4 stars.
Starting Rate: From $2900 per person (2026 prices).
Room Count: 24
Our Favourite Thing About the Ship: The sun deck.
Dining: Buffet is prepared freshly by the onboard chef each day.
Amenities: Kayak, snorkelling equipment, small library.
Closest Airport: Athens.
