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ABOUT US

7-day adventures by small boat, since 1949
Variety Cruises's members
Filippos Venetopoulos, CEO, Variety Cruises
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
"We welcome you on board your next 7-day adventure by small boat, as our vision to create A BETTER WORLD AT SEA continues to guide us since 1949." - Filippos Venetopoulos
Filippos Venetopoulos, CEO, Variety Cruises
OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SEVEN DAY LIFE ENRICHING EXPERIENCES AT SEA
A Variety Cruises' member with a tourist on the deck
OUR
MISSION
OUR STORY
Diogenis Venetopoulos Port Captain
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.
A black and white photo of the Zeus Tours ventures at Sea as Zeus Cruises
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.
Black and white photo of a boat named "Lakis"
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.
Black and white photo of a small ship in the sea with tropical islands in the background
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.
Variety Cruises building's exterior
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.
Voyager a Variety Cruises ship anchored in an island
2012
The Variety Voyager is introduced announcing a new class of small boats.
Variety Cruises boat in black and white colours
2016
Variety is awarded USA TODAY’s reader’s choice award as the best boutique cruise line.
Variety Cruises's members
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.
Local people with Variety Cruises' members
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.
Underwater photo of Galileo yacht anchored in the serene waters of the Cyclades
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.
WHY
US
A Variety Cruises' ship floating on blue waters

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 secret recipe ingredients include:

  • A family business since 1949
  • Our rich history and experience
  • A variety of small boats to suit every style
  • Our diversity-driven team of experts and staff
  • Exclusive destination-driven partnerships
  • In-depth shore excursions and a’la carte options
  • Small boat benefits including swimming off the boat
  • Access to remote areas approachable only via small boats
Variety cruises flag on the boat
  • Mediterranean dining with local influences
  • Sustainable food sourcing supporting the local economies
  • Greek hospitality engrained in all our training and DNA
  • SOLAS certified state of the art standards of safety
  • Our 360º approach to overseeing every part of the process
  • First cruise line to join TOURISM DECLARES CLIMATE EMERGENCY
  • Unique membership program extending YOUR HOME AT SEA
  • Our celebrated reputation and series of accolades
  • Our vision is to create a better world at sea™
Tourism awards 2019 gold winner logo on a white background
TOURISM AWARDS 2019 / “Best in Responsible & Sustainable Tourism “
Cruise Critic 2018 award with "Best for Small Ship Cruises" text
CRUISE CRITIC CRUISERS’ CHOICE 2018 / “Best in Eastern Mediterranean”
Variety Cruises - Best Boutique Cruise Line logo
USA TODAY 10Best READER’S CHOICE 2016 / “World's Best Boutique Cruise Line”
Gold medal with "Tourism Awards 2016" logo
TOURISM AWARDS 2015 & 2016 / “Best for Small Ship Cruising in Greece “
Greek Tourism Awards 2016 Gold Award with "Best Small Ship Cruise Company" text
TOURISM AWARDS 2017 / “Best for Small Ship Cruising in Greece “
BEST WORKPLACES HELLAS 2023 / "Great Place To Work"
OUR LEADERSHIP
Filippos Venetopoulos Chief Executive Officer at Variety Cruises
Filippos Venetopoulos
CEO
Dimitris Vassilakis - CEO – Founding Partnerof Variety Cruises
Dimitris Vassilakis
Chief Operations Officer – Founding Partner
Christina Venetopoulou - Cruise Director for Variety Cruises
Christina Venetopoulou
Chief Experience Officer
Dimitris Paschalidis Chief Financial Officer
Dimitris Paschalidis
Chief Financial Officer
Malvina Vonta Chief Commercial Officer
Malvina Vonta
Chief Commercial Officer
Isidoros Karamouzos Chief Technology Officer at Variety Cruises
Isidoros Karamouzos
Charter Manager
Vasiliki Vasilopoulou - Chief People Officer
Vasiliki Vasilopoulou
Chief People Officer
Success according to Variety Cares™ means enriching the natural and cultural environment of all the destinations we visit while honoring sustainability and minimal foot-print practices.
Little boy in black and white background
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PURPOSE
Yacht on a holiday cruise.
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