It's easy to go overboard for small boat sailing!
Marion has a whale of a time on Variety Cruises' motor sailer around the Cyclades Islands of Greece
Apart from big ship cruising, my nautical experiences include a pedalo in Italy and a steamer on a lake! But there's a first time for everything and on a Variety Cruises' motor yacht cruise around the Cyclades Islands of Greece, I soon begin to love this small boat sailing adventure.
Because my father was in the Royal Navy, I can identify a ship from a boat. Port and starboard, bow and stern are terms I understand. But ask me to hoist the main sail or let go and haul and I'd be all at sea. I needn't have worried as the amazing crew on board Variety Cruises' Galileo ensure everything is shipshape.
Arriving at Athens Airport, it's less than an hour's journey by road to the Piraeus Marina Zea harbour where, following an easy embarkation, I'm welcomed aboard Variety Cruises' Galileo, my home for seven nights. With the blue and white flag of Greece fluttering in the gentle breeze, I'm excited as we set sail in the afternoon.
With only 26 of us on board (capacity 49) we soon bond and become our own international family at sea, with passengers from the USA, Australia, Slovenia, Germany, Spain, Italy and three of us from the UK. It's interesting to interact with adventurous people from different countries and cultures. The age group ranges from 24 year-old teacher Erin from Queensland, Australia, to fun-loving 91 year-old, Irene, from London, who's travelling with her son, former West End theatre vocalist/dancer, Tony. Often seen with a glass of white wine in her hand or dancing on deck, Irene says:'I love to chat to people and have fun! Life is for living and laughing and I'll do that as long as I can!' If Irene can manage the fairly steep spiral staircases between decks, and she does, almost anyone can.
Variety Cruises is a family business which was established in 1949. The company gained the Passenger Line of the year Award (Greek Shipping Awards) in 2024. Our vessel, Galileo, is a 48 metre, traditional, three-masted, 30-year old motor sailer, refurbished in 2025 There are eight motor sailers in the fleet and alternative voyages include Tahiti, The Seychelles, Africa, Croatia and Italy, Malta and French Polynesia.
Galileo is nothing like a cruise ship and nothing like I've ever experienced but I love it! Immediately, the warm, welcoming ambience is evident. We're greeted with a refreshing drink and smiles all around. I unpack quickly and explore the three decks which include a lounge/restaurant, lower and upper deck cabins, a bar area and a glorious, full-length sun deck with loungers, chairs and tables. Galileo has 24 cabins. My lower deck cabin is surprisingly spacious with a comfortable double bed, shower room, fridge, plenty of storage space, air conditioning, smart tv and two port holes. Occasionally if there's a swell, sea water splashes on to the port holes resembling a washing machine rinse cycle. Cabins are cleaned twice daily. In the lower cabins there may be some engine/anchor noise when the yacht sets sail during the night. Anyone concerned about this might consider booking a higher deck cabin.
Don't expect a theatre or a swimming pool. However, you can swim almost daily in the sparkling, turquoise Aegean sea and relax on the stunning sun deck which has a cover to provide shade on very hot days. The 20-strong crew are engaging, helpful and clearly happy. I think they're enjoying looking after us. Cheery cruise director Katerina, 31, keeps us informed and updated about daily destinations and activities. Waiter, Komang from Indonesia, proudly shows us photos of his newborn son. On a warm, starry night, Captain Nikos, 50, joins the dancing at the Sunset and Shots party. We link hands and dance in a circle to the sounds of Zorba on the Greek Night. Everyone is having fun.
Our two smiling Egyptian sailors help us on and off the RIB (necessary for those, like myself, who haven't the longest stride!) which takes us to and from the beaches on almost daily swim stops – Irene can do it. Most of us wear water shoes in the RIB as the shore can be pebbly when we step out and wade or paddle the last few yards in the crystal clear Aegean sea. Sometimes we're like castaways on a tiny beach. It's mid-summer and sizzling, often 32 degrees, so plenty of sun cream and hats are essential. Fins, snorkels and goggles are available.
Breakfast and lunch or dinner is usually buffet style with a couple of table service days at dinner. Two long tables accommodate all the guests. Food celebrates the 'Flavours of Greece'' and is delicious, freshly cooked, varied and plentiful. I cut a chunk of real honeycomb to have with real Greek yogurt at breakfast and savour the Paradosiaki Tiropita traditional, rich cheese-filled flaky pastries, Greek salads and baklava. Fruit, biscuits and cake are available all day. Drinks are extra, but we enjoy complimentary ouzo and cocktail tasting.
We soon arrive at the first of our Cyclades' islands, the charming harbour town of Poros, where we have a walk around. It's fairly quiet with just a few people having a coffee, a cold beer or glass of wine at a seafront cafe. This is just a short stop before we set sail for uninhabited Poliegos, where we have the beach all to ourselves, like a scene from a film. Maybe we are in a film or is it a dream?Later, we enjoy a barbecue on board.
It's hot in volcanic, dreamy Santorini (named after Saint Irene). The Eastern Mediterranean mid- summer temperatures are always high but alternatively you can choose a Variety cruise in May/June or September/October. We're relieved that the incredible archaeological treasures of a dig at Akrotiri can be viewed in comfort as the site is covered. This popular island accommodates around 8,000 international visitors a day in peak season and around 3.4m per year. The two-hour tour is a bit of a challenge in 32 degrees, so in our free time, we take the obligatory snapshot of a cruise ship, which looks like a toy boat in a bath from the famous viewpoint and seek out the shade of a cafe.
In Delos, just a 20-minute boat ride from Mykonos, there's little or no shade so we carry umbrellas as we wander slowly around the open archaeological site of this sacred island. Here, the huge, famous stone lions created around 600 BC stand proud as the faithful guardians of the Sacred Lake. Mykonos comes alive at night, its harbour lights twinkling as we arrive by sea bus. The harbour front cafe bars and restaurants are packed with the young, tanned and beautiful. With newfound friends, Irene and Tony, I explore the winding, cobbled back streets, and see the famous windmills and Little Venice. Best not to look at the prices in the stylish, exclusive shops though! Drenched in expensive fragrances and groomed to the pinnacle of chic, both male and female shop assistants surely are models in Vogue magazine.
Capital of the Cycladic islands, Syros, is upmarket and classy with glossy, white mega yachts in the harbour. But I there's no envy here as I always look forward to going home to the comfort and familiarity of Galileo.
I couldn't have imagined how much I would enjoy this incredible adventure. With something and somewhere different every day, the Variety Cruises company is aptly named. Small boat cruising will certainly be on my list again. Thank you Variety Cruises and please invite me again next year!
Marion Ainge August 2025
Factfile
Variety have a wide range of small ship island-hopping cruises throughout the Mediterranean
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