by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Wed March 25, 2026
Variety Cruises is adding a new itinerary and lesser-visited islands to its lineup ahead of Europe’s 2026 summer cruise season.
The new seven-night journey will explore the Greek Islands and Turkey, a country the company hasn’t visited since 2016. The cruise sails roundtrip from Athens and includes the Cyclades & Eastern Aegean islands, with a stop in historic Kusadasi, Turkey, to explore the legendary ruins of Ephesus.
Travelers will journey between both iconic and lesser known Greek islands, including Mykonos, Delos, Syros and Patmos, in addition to Sifnos and Naxos – two destinations that will be featured in Variety’s itineraries for the first time since the company was founded in 1949.
The cruise will debut on October 9, 2026, with additional departures scheduled in 2027. Travelers can take advantage of a launch discount of 20 percent on the October 2026 departure, or an early booking discount of 10 percent on all 2027 sailings.
“This new voyage is ideal for travelers seeking a refined yet immersive cruise experience in Greece and Turkey, offering effortless exploration, cultural depth and breathtaking scenery at every stop—all on board an intimate yacht-style boat,” says Filippos Venetopoulos, chief executive officer of Variety Cruises.
He adds: “Since my grandfather founded the company 76 years ago, it has been our mission to offer enriching experiences that go deeper into the destination. The addition of Sifnos and Naxos to our portfolio provides travelers with an opportunity to discover hidden gems and interact with local people, away from the more crowded tourist hot spots.”
Meanwhile, Variety Cruises officially kicked off the European summer cruise season on March 20, 2026, departing from Athens on its “Peloponnese Treasures: From Antiquity to Byzantium” itinerary in Greece. With the addition of this new voyage, Variety Cruises now offers 10 itineraries in Europe.
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