Our vision is to create a Better World at Sea

Why us

What separates us from the pack is our unique formula behind our seven-day life enriching immersive experiences at sea on board our small boats, engrained in our DNA since 1949.

Our Vision is to create a Better World at Sea ™.

A family business since 1949 - Our rich history and experience

Small ship benefits including swimming off the ship

Exclusive destinations - Access to remote areas approachable only by small ships

In-depth, small-group shore excursions led by our expert guides

Sustainable food sourcing supporting the local economies

SOLAS certified state of the art standards of safety

First cruise line to join TOURISM DECLARES CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Letter from the CEO

Variety Cruises is proud to serve you with our signature and limited collection 7-day life enriching experiences that go deeper into the destination connecting our team of experts with travelers from around the world, as we work together to positively impact the communities and natural habitat in which we visit, while adhering to our underlying ethos to create A BETTER WORLD AT SEA™.

Our signature 360º degree approach starts with designing and building state-of-the-art ships, to crafting and executing our detailed itineraries, while ensuring the safety and comfort of our guests on board their “home at sea.” From Greece to West Africa, from Egypt to the French Polynesia and beyond, travelers can discover authentic local and indigenous cultures, regional cuisine, ancient sites, remote villages and natural wonders only small ships can reach. All while ensuring our experiences reflect cultural and ecological sustainability and inclusiveness—a company priority—with sails that are in-depth and community-driven, yet go deeper and give back, while leaving a minimal footprint behind. All this while maintaining our small ship cruise spirit, hosting less than 100 guests in any given sail, offering the intimate experience that Variety Cruises is known for around the world since 1949. This is evident in our award winning services by USA TODAY’s readers-choice award, by thousands of satisfied guests.

So… we invite you to GO DEEPER into the destination as we enter our 3rd generation of small ship cruises; deeper into the scents, deeper into the local cuisine, deeper into the local communities, deeper into the history, and deeper into the moment.

Creating a ‘better world at Sea’™, since 1949.

Filippos Venetopoulos
CEO, Variety Cruises

Our mission is to provide
seven day life enriching
experiences at sea

And this is our story

1949

From the ashes of war, historian Diogenis Venetopoulos becomes the pioneer in educational group travel, with the vision of going deeper by sharing “his Greece” with international guests, while focused on protecting our archaeological heritage.

1968

The company expands at Sea, with our first baby, the week-long Classical Greece, on board the wooden caique Eleftherios, introducing our intimate, less-than-100 guests formula.

1978

The torch is passed to the 2nd generation, as Lakis Venetopoulos takes over the reins, with the vision of sharing his father’s signature formula with a wider audience & portfolio of destinations. Through a series of partnerships, the fleet is upgraded to meet the highest standards of safety by SOLAS, preparing for the next phase.

1996

Our seven day small boat formula expands its reach with the launch of a series of world-wide cruise destinations, celebrating our first one abroad in the Seychelles.

2005

Variety Cruises is founded, as Lakis Venetopoulos and Dimitrios Vassilakis merge Zeus Tours & Yacht Cruises and Hellas Yachts, expanding the fleet and the destination collection.

2012

The Variety Voyager is introduced announcing a new class of small boats.

2016

Variety is awarded USA TODAY’s reader’s choice award as the best boutique cruise line.

2019

Filippos Venetopoulos of the 3rd generation takes the reins from his father as the company’s fleet is placed in partial lockdown during the pandemic. A select number of vessels are allocated to provide repatriation missions and medical accommodation, in partnership with local governments and the United Nations.

2020

VARIETY CARES is founded, taking the original focus of protecting archaeological heritage a step further with the mission of clean oceans, gender equality, and education for all.

2022

Variety Cruises launches its adventure re-brand. Our mission continues to be providing seven day life enriching experiences at sea. Our vision is to create a better world at sea, and our goal is to absorb 1% of the cruise market into small ship eco-cruises, while always polishing our 360º from-inception-to-execution approach. All while continuing to go deeper into the destinations we visit, leaving a minimal or positive impact behind, with our guests, our team and the local communities at heart.

2023

Variety Cruises launches 7, 10 and 11-night Tahiti & French Polynesia itineraries aboard Panorama II.

2024

Variety Cruises has obtained carbon offset certification for the Galileo. By offsetting carbon, Variety Cruises supports Sustainable Travel International's Climate Impact Portofolio, a mix of verified carbon offset projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change impacts, and promote healthier environments and communities worldwide.