Panorama II Sail Cruiser

Variety Cruises, the global small-ship cruise company, announces the addition of Gay Aegean Life, a new itinerary for gay and lesbian travellers sailing the gorgeous Greek islands of the Cyclades. This one off, 8 day cruise departs Athens on August 24, 2012.

Passengers will experience a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and the intimacy of private yachting on the newly refurbished 49-passenger Panorama II Sail Cruiser. Discover famous idyllic Greek ports of call including Santorini, Mykonos, and hidden island gems such as Folegandros, where guests will enjoy dips in the crystal blue waters, glimpse ancient history and experience rich cultural diversity.

Constantine Venetopoulos, third generation of the founding family of Variety Cruises and open member of the gay community says ”On the heels of last year’s success of the Full Moon Greek Islands Cruise in partnership with Source Events, Variety Cruises is proud to continue offering gay-themed cruises and solidify the company’s offerings to this growing market.” Mr. Venetopoulos continues, ”The intimate yachting experience is the core concept of our brand, and the privacy and customised itineraries we are able to offer are ideal for gay lifestyle cruising, furthermore providing a welcome antidote to mainstream large ship gay themed cruises.”

Variety Cruises is a member of IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association), and a strong supporter of the health and wellbeing within the gay community, via several projects and initiatives. Partial proceeds from the Gay Aegean Life cruise will benefit The Trevor Project, the leading national organisation providing crisis intervention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

In addition to gay-themed itineraries, Variety Cruises continues to expand its theme and custom group charter offerings in other markets such as weddings, archaeology, history, food & wine and more, including the recently added Yoga Retreat in the Riviera on board the new Mega Yacht Variety Voyager sailing in August 2012.

Life on board the Panorama II centres around the outdoor areas, including two bars, sun deck and swimming platform, weather permitting. In the evening guests can relax in one of the ship’s two spacious lounges or the library. The cabins are located on three decks and are decorated with fine wooden furniture and light fabrics, while the fully equipped bathrooms are finished with marble. All the cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, internal use telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, public address system and safe boxes.

Fares for the Gay Aegean Life cruise start at $1,590 per person, double occupancy and include Greek night, BBQ, Captains Dinner, and daily American buffet breakfast and one main meal; coffee, water or tea anytime; use of fishing equipment (subject to availability) and an English speaking cruise escort. Port charges are an additional $221 per person.

About Variety Cruises

Variety Cruises’ signature style of small-ship cruising offers life-enriching journeys for inquisitive minds. Founded in 2005, with a history dating back to 1949 under the Zeus name, family-owned Variety Cruises is one of today's largest boutique yacht cruise lines in the world. A fleet of 11 fully owned vessels includes mega yachts, sail cruisers and private luxury yachts. Each hosts a select number of passengers ranging from 12 to 75, providing the intimacy one might find on a private ship, and can dock into smaller ports of call in cosmopolitan locales. Variety Cruises’ programs explore a colourful collection of popular sites and hidden gems in destinations including Greece, Turkey, the Adriatic, Italy, France, West Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. The experiential itineraries embrace each destination by allowing ample leisure time in each port, often docking right in the heart of a town or village and later offering swim stops in secluded bays. All the while, the friendly and ample staff helps passengers feel right at home on board their floating boutique hotel. In 2011, Variety Cruises was honoured with the Condé Nast Traveller Greece Reader’s Choice Award for Best Small Ship Cruise Company in Greece.

Variety Cruises is represented in Australia by Discover the World Marketing.

For more information and booking conditions please call (02) 9959 3696 or email