Creating a 
Better World At Sea
 since 1949

At Variety Cruises, we care deeply about the world around us and believe in travelling with a purpose. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world we explore. Every one of our voyages is part of sustainable tourism and supports the local communities.

Clean Oceans 4ALL

Our ocean is the natural playground that keeps us alive and allows us to experience the world at its most beautiful pace. We owe it our love.

Gender Equality 4ALL

Gender equality means human equality; from women empowerment to accepting our gender spectrum differences we create a stronger world for all.

Education 4ALL

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. Join us as we share our love for education with youth worldwide lacking access to such.

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Travel with Purpose

Creating a  Better World At Sea  since 1949

'To travel is to immerse yourself’ - VARIETY CARES™ is a creative non profit foundation that ties together a like minded community of worldwide travelers who share the notion that 'to travel is to immerse yourself, with the destination and her people at heart.

Our three guiding principals are:

Creating a #Better World At Sea# since 1949

CLEAN OCEANS 4ALL

Our ocean is the natural playground that keeps us alive and allows us to experience the world at its most beautiful pace. We owe it our love.

GENDER EQUALITY 4ALL

Gender equality means human equality; from women empowerment to accepting our gender spectrum differences we create a stronger world for all.

EDUCATION 4ALL

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. Join us as we share our love for education with youth worldwide lacking access to such.

Our mission is to provide a sustainable sea-going platform for engaging our guests in meaningful communication and exchange of values with the local communities we visit.

"We don't just believe in giving back, we believe in giving." - Lakis Venetopoulos

Our Actions

Ways to Support

As of January 1, 2022, 5 EUROS of each passenger cruise participation go towards our efforts via VARIETY CARES, creating a better world at Sea one cruise at a time. On behalf of our team, the destinations, and the communities we visit a big THANK YOU for your contribution.

100% OF THE PROFITS from our merchandise go straight back to the mission of VARIETY CARES supporting clean oceans, gender equality, and education for all. So you can comfortably enjoy your souvenirs, while creating A BETTER WORLD AT SEA.

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Historical Milestones

1949

Diogenis Venetopoulos unveils Zeus Tours; The first floating travel immersion company supporting archaeological sites.

1968

Zeus Tours ventures at Sea as Zeus Cruises + Collaborations with local causes throughout the Mediterranean begin.

1990

Zeus Cruises joins Santorini's Akrotiri archaeological site in support.

2005

Variety Cruises expands worldwide immersing into new communities.

2011

Variety Cruises takes on its fully fledged Education Prototype & Lamin Koto Shool is launched in The Gambia under Lakis Venetopoulos’ leadership.

2012

Variety Cruises pledges support to the Seychelles Archbishop Scholarship.

2013

Variety Cruises pledges support to the LGBTQI+ community + VARIETY PRIDE is developed.

2015

Variety Cruises pledges its first Student Scholarship in The Gambia.

2016

Variety Cruises supports children's education with Kuntaur Film Festival.

2017

Variety Cruises pledges to become a leader of environmental sustainability.

2019

VARIETY PRIDE honors THE TREVOR PROJECT at the UNITED NATIONS.

2019

Variety Cares celebrates LAMIN KOTO SUPER SCHOOL.

2020

VARIETY CARES celebrates The Gambia with the INSIDE OUT ART INITIATIVE.

2021

VARIETY CARES joins TOURISM DECLARES CLIMATE EMERGENCY.

2022

VARIETY CARES joins the efforts of THE EXPLORERS CLUB for WORLD OCEANS WEEK.

2023

As part of the school's expansion in Lamin Koto, Variety Cares converted an abandoned building into "The Rose Museum," named in honor of its founder, Triantafyllos Venetopoulos, whose first name means "rose" in Greek. The museum will feature significant items donated by the Explorers' Club, as well as educational materials — including maps, books, and compasses — which have been donated by various sources, including guests from Variety Cruises.

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.