Variety Cruises

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Onboard

While sailing aboard the six yachts under the Variety Cruises designation, passengers can expect attentive service, single-seating meals in elegant dining facilities, limited Internet service and swimming/sports platforms with snorkeling and kayaking equipment. Cabin appointments include flat-screen televisions, mini-fridges, individual climate control and contemporary bathrooms with shower or -- in the case of some of the suites -- Jacuzzi tubs. Deck space offers loungers in both sun and shade; there is a bar and an indoor lounge for reading or relaxing.

About Variety Cruises

Offering what the company refers to as "a total yachting experience," Athens-based Variety Cruises was founded in 2005 with a merger of Zeus Tours and Yacht Cruises (a venerable Athens operator in business since 1949) and Hellas Yachts, established in 1978. By 2006, Variety had established itself in the niche market of small-ship Mediterranean cruising with yachts ranging from four to 25 cabins.

Although many of the company's yachts lend themselves to private charter, Variety does operate several set cruise schedules throughout the year in the Mediterranean, the Arabian Gulf and in the Red Sea. Boasting the ability to cruise into "off the beaten track" ports and locales, the line provides passengers with an intimate experience unattainable on a larger ship. Most yachts also have watersports platforms for use in secluded coves or otherwise safe environments while the yacht is at anchor.

In early 2009, Variety Cruises entered a partnership with IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association), offering charter cruises to its members on the 49-passenger sailing yacht S/C Panorama.

Variety Cruises Fleet

Variety Cruises' fleet includes casual sailing vessels, small motor yachts for charter and elegant, upscale yachts designed for more discerning travelers. The yachts are divided into three categories:

Variety Cruises: This is the designation for the larger contemporary yachts in the fleet, ranging from 22 to 34 cabins. Three of the boats, M/Y Harmony V, M/Y Harmony G and M/Y Pegasus are motor yachts while S/C Panorama, M/S Galileo and S/Y Christiana VI are motor/sailing yachts. These yachts are distinguished by their more upscale private accommodation and spacious lounges.

Variety Yachting: Private yachts accommodating from eight to 12 passengers are available for charter.

Zeus Casual Cruises: The two vessels in this division provide comfortable, informal cabins, facilities and service. M/Y Zeus II has 16 cabins; M/S Viking Star has 24 cabins and the ability to cruise under sail.

Fellow Passengers

The set schedules from April to October include seven-night cruises from Athens or Crete calling at standard cruise stops such as Mykonos and Santorini but adding stops in places like Monemvassia and Spetses. Red Sea cruises are scheduled in April and embark in Sharm el Sheikh; port calls include Aqaba, Safaga, Hurghada and Taba. Arabian Gulf itineraries are available from November to May, originating in Dubai or Muscat with calls to Sohar, Nizwa and Khasab.