The Jewels of the Cyclades is a Cyclades islands Cruise departing from Athens between April and October. During the week you will visit some of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades including Folegandros, Santorini, Paros, Mykonos and Syros. There’s no better way to experience Greece!
Motorsailer Galileo is a boutique yacht with capacity for up to 49 passengers in 24 cabins and serviced by a highly professional crew of 16-18. Boutique cruises offer an ideal way to visit smaller ports and locations in the Greek islands and they have an intimate atmosphere, allowing you to make acquaintances during your time on board and not feel lost in the crowds.
Friday sailings | From Athens to Athens (Marina Zeas), Greece
2026
– on the m/s Galileo
Dates: April 17*, 24* | May 1, 8, 15, 22 | June 5, 12, 19, 26 | July 3 | August 7*, 14*, 21*, 28 | September 4, 11, 18, 25 | October 2, 9, 16
– on the m/s Panorama
Dates: October 23
HIGHLIGHTS:
THE VARIETY CRUISES DIFFERENCE
Day 1
Embarkation at Marina Zea between 2-3 pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Sail for Poros for a short 3 hours visit, before set sail to Poliegos. Overnight at sea.
Day 2
Morning arrival in Poliegos, a very small island known for its amazing beaches. Morning swim stop followed by a BBQ on deck. Afternoon sailing to Folegandros, one of the most amazing and less known islands in the Aegean Sea. Walk the amazing Upper city, and have the possibility to taste delicacies at traditional Greek tavernas. Overnight in Folegandros.
Day 3
Early in the morning depart for Santorini. Morning arrival at Santorini (occasionally at anchor) to explore its unique capital Fira. Optional Excursion to Akrotiti excavations and a tour of the villages including the small beautiful village of Oia known for its breathtaking view over the caldera. Overnight in Santorini.
Day 4
In the morning you will enjoy a swim stop in an enchanting bay of Antiparos. Early noon arrival in Paros. Optional visit to Ekatontapiliani Church in Parikia, the folklore museum in Marpissa and the quaint village of Naoussa. Time to have a fun night and show us your dancing skills during our famous Greek Night. Overnight in Paros.
Day 5
Optional morning tour to the unique archaeological site of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island. Later on, we stop at one of Mykonos beautiful bays for swimming off the ship before sailing into the port of Mykonos. The island of the jet setters is yours to explore and the night is young. Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 6
After a morning swim we will arrive in Syros, the capital of the Cycladic islands where you can enjoy one of its beautiful sandy beaches or have optional tour through town and enjoy the unique architecture of the buildings before having the chance for a culinary experience to taste authentic recipes of the Cyladic cuisine at a small family taverna. Overnight in Syros.
Day 7
In the morning we will arrive in Kythnos where you will enjoy a swim in Kolones bay and will then set sail for Marina Zea where we will arrive in the late afternoon via Cape Sounion, the temple of Poseidon. Captain`s Farewell Dinner and overnight in Marina Zea.
Day 8
Disembarkation after breakfast (8.30 -9 a.m.) If you haven`t already, now is the time to explore some of the special sites in Athens, including the Parthenon / Acropolis, Acropolis museum, as well as the popular shopping disctricts of Plaka and Monastiraki.
The 48 meter “Galileo” is a classic steel Motor Sailer, with spacious and well appointed interiors renovated in 2020. At the main deck, a lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and leather. Guests on the Galileo enjoy the most a shaded outdoor deck area with an outdoor bar and the ship`s sun deck. The M/S Galileo, built with the most stringent safety regulations, was launched in 1992.
Imagine your floating home on board the sleek, classic design Mega Yacht as she spreads her white sails through the seas under the name GALILEO, waving her Greek flag through the wind. Discover the world by sea at 11 knots per hour, in her un-rushed pace, one island or seashore at a time. Galileo loves to seduce her select 49 guests with her classic lines and wood paneled lounges redefining what yachting was meant to be. A spacious lounge with ample space, dining areas decorated with warm colors, rich library and two decks for sunbathing, shaded areas and outdoor bar and loungers are just some of the elements that define her essence. 360° views of unobstructed ocean are your eyes’ canvas painted with ocean blue and deep green mountains.
Imagine a place far from home that feels just like home, where the borders are delineated by the golden shores of the sea; and home is wherever the anchors drop.
| CABIN CATEGORIES | DECK | CABINS | (Euro) | (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT C M/S GALILEO M/S PANORAMA |
Lower Deck Lower Deck, |
Twin or double beds |
€2590 | $3,090 |
| CAT B M/S GALILEO M/S PANORAMA |
Lower Deck Lower Deck |
Flexible beds Twin or double beds (Triple cabins available) |
€3290 | $3890 |
| CAT A M/S GALILEO M/S PANORAMA |
Upper Deck Upper or Main Deck |
Twin or double beds Twin or double beds |
€3990 | $4690 |
10% DISCOUNT ON ALL STAR (*) MARKED SAILINGS
10% EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT (excluding June, Aug 28 and all September sailings and Oct 02) on reservations made until January 31, 2026.
Cyclades islands Cruise fares are per person and week and include:
Not included:
Not included in Cyclades islands Cruise Fare:
Such personal expenses as drinks (other than included in the rate), laundry, spa -where applicable-, boutique items and gratuities (gratuities are optional but as a rule, satisfied clients are expected to give to the captain, at the end of the cruise, approximately Euro 13-15 per person per day for distribution among all crew members), medical expenses, port taxes, shore excursions (shore excursions are proposed and arranged on board by the tour leaders), use of the on board Wi-Fi (available at a charge), expenditures incurred ashore, and anything not mentioned in cruise program.
Notes:
Children policy
Children discounts apply to children 5-17 years old, sharing a triple cabin with two paying adults. Port taxes are not discounted.
Children 5-10 years old: 50% discount on the gross per person twin cabin fares
Children 11-17 years old: 35% discount on the gross per person twin cabin fares
In case of more than one cabin, full adult rates apply.
Family offer
Conditions & Restrictions for the Family offers:
The Variety Cruises passion remains unchanged since 1968: an alchemy that blends enriching oneself educationally and exploring the true identity of a destination, while enjoying the comforts and unique benefits of a small ship sailing the seas.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our ships soon and discover the world the Variety Cruises way.
OVERVIEW
Variety Cruises is one of the leading yacht cruise lines worldwide, operating a fleet of 11 fully owned vessels offering travelers the ultimate Boutique Yacht Cruise experience. With capacities ranging from 5 to 36 cabins, Variety Cruises’ upscale yachts and experiential cruise itineraries embrace each destination by visiting much-loved and unfrequented ports of call in a private, intimate and relaxed environment.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES:
Some of Variety Cruises’ industry nomination highlights:
With more than 400 bed capacity on board 11 vessels, Variety Cruises is the largest Mega Yachts operator in the Mediterranean and one of the top 3 worldwide in the Small Ship market.
“All in all a fantastic trip. We are just back, as we stopped in Amsterdam before returning, and will give more detailed feedback once we get settled in to this time zone again. We hope we have some fabulous photos to share.
Best, Constance“
