by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Fri November 6, 2026
Variety Cruises is entering a new chapter.
Following a major financial restructuring, the 77-year-old, family-owned, small-ship cruise line has appointed Steve Reynolds as chief executive officer as it looks to position the business for its next phase of growth. Former CEO Filippos Venetopoulos will transition to the role of executive chairman.
Reynolds brings extensive international experience across travel, tourism, distribution and destination management, most recently serving as senior vice president of Discover Qatar, the destination management company of Qatar Airways Group. In his new role, he will oversee the company's operations, commercial development, financial performance and employee development, while Venetopoulos focuses on long-term strategy and industry relationships.
A fan of small-group, experiential travel, Reynolds sees a natural opportunity for Variety Cruises as travelers increasingly seek more intimate, destination-focused experiences. We caught up with Reynolds to discuss his vision for the company, its plans for expansion and what lies ahead for small-ship cruising.
Variety Cruises offers intimate, small-ship voyages (Photo Credit: Variety Cruises)
TravelPulse (TP): Why Variety Cruises? What made this opportunity the right fit for you?
Steve Reynolds (SR): I see many parallels between the time I spent at BackRoads Touring, which I really enjoyed, developing small group journeys by road, and the opportunity to further shape and refine the small ship itineraries and experiences offered by Variety Cruises. When added to the operational and customer service excellence that shaped my time at Qatar Airways, I bring a unique set of past experiences to Variety Cruises that our customers will ultimately benefit from.
What particularly resonates with me about Variety Cruises is that this philosophy extends beyond the guest experience. Through Variety Cares, the nonprofit philanthropic foundation of Variety Cruises, the company demonstrates a genuine commitment to the communities and environments that make these journeys possible. I believe tourism has the potential not only to enrich the lives of travelers, but also to leave a positive impact on the places we visit.
TP: What do you believe sets Variety Cruises apart? What do you see as its biggest differentiators?
SR: Variety Cruises occupies a unique niche; unlike many other small ship operators, it's more relaxed, informal and can be spontaneous with unplanned swim stops and flexible itinerary options, based on customer preferences. It's a fun and convenient way to explore Islands, be they in the Mediterranean Sea, or the Indian, Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Pack and unpack once, no ferries, early hotel check-outs or queuing with the crowds.
TP: What are the company’s biggest opportunities in the near- and mid-term, from your perspective?
SR: Developing our destinations and itineraries further, to ensure that we continue to offer choices and options for our repeat customers. By investing in our people and our fleet, we'll ensure our customers receive a quality experience that is consistent and provides great value.
TP: What trends are you keeping an eye on right now? Any that you’re particularly excited about?
SR: Small ship expedition cruising is the fastest-growing segment of the cruise industry, and as the cruising segment matures, just like it did with coach touring, consumers are looking for more intimate, experiential journeys, where privileged access, intimate experiences and avoiding crowds are becoming as important as the destinations themselves. This is where the cruise industry is heading, and Variety Cruises is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this growing demand.
TP: How important are travel advisors to the company? What role do you see them playing under your leadership?
SR: Travel advisors are very important to our company. 85% of our business comes from travel advisors, tour operators and other travel distribution channels. We invest heavily in agent-friendly booking tools, system connectivity and familiarization opportunities, so that travel advisors can experience our products and sell with confidence and ease.
TP: What else would you like to add?
SR: I would like more people to know about Variety Cruises. When I talk to people about what we offer and where, it genuinely interests people. So, our job is to continue to grow awareness of our brand, our style of travel and how relaxed and enjoyable it is, compared to some of the more traditional ways to experience island-hopping.
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