SMALL SHIP JOURNEYS
FOR INQUISITIVE MINDS

VARIETY CRUISES are who we are featuring in this issue of the iCruise News. Steve Parker, iCruise's Manager had the pleasure of experiencing this product (The MS Galileo) on his recent family holiday to the Greek Islands.

"If you want to relax, be pampered and have a holiday as though you are travelling on your own private motor-yacht (without the hefty cost) have a peruse at Variety Cruises"

An intimate, hassel-free cruise experience

Variety Cruises fleet of small ships and yachts deliver an up-close and personal cruise experience that larger ships cannot offer. Their fleet of vessels accommodate between 30 and 50 passengers and it's no wonder within a few days passengers and crew are all on first name basis. With a very professional yet family like atmosphere on board , the Variety informal and personal approach is a valued part of your holiday experience.

In the heart of your cruise destination
Variety Cruise vessels can reach ports of call that larger ships cannot. They dock in small greek towns allowing passengers to walk on and off at their leisure. There are no queues for tenders ashore and no fixed times.
Variety Cruises operates a "variety" of itineraries throughout the Greek Islands, the Croation Coast (new for 2010) and the Red Sea (Egypt and Jordan)

 "We found the ability to come and go off the Galileo when we wanted and step ashore in the heart of the Greek island villages was perfect. No queues and no timetable, it really was like having our own private boat!"

New Ports of call each day and the freedom to enjoy them
Each day brings the opportunities to discover new landscapes and historical treasures (even the odd taverna), islands and traditional Greek villages. There are also swim-stops in the most magical bays where you can either step down a ladder into the crystal blue water of the Mediterranean or take the plunge and jump from the ship (it's great fun)

"The Galileo berthed each night and set off early in the morning so we got to experience the cruising aspect and still have plenty of the day and evening in each port of call. You can exlore at your leisure, take an organised excursion, sun bathe on deck or go to a local beach to swim"

The MS Galileo
Steve and his family spent 7 nights on the Galileo cruising the Cyclade Islands. This cruise is featured below and on the iCruise website. Steve chose the Galileo as it felt like a more traditional way of experiencing the Greek Islands (compared to island hoping by ferry 20 years ago). Upon speaking to other passengers on board, they thought the vessel was of a very high standard, thoroughly enjoyed their well appointed and air conditioned cabins, the public rooms and sun decks.

Our Cabin
"I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the cabin and private ensuite bathroom. Our cabin was cleaned and sheets/towels replaced each day, we had a fruit basket delivered on day one and chocolates on our pillows every evening. We had a triple-berth cabin with two lower beds and a bunk for our son, a good sized wardrobe including two sets of draws and a safe. The bathroom had a toilet, basin and surprisingly large shower, the water was always hot and the pressure good, plus the soaps, shampoos etc you would expect from a 4-star product"

The Food
"The food onboard can be described in two words "Fresh" and "Fantastic". A full hot and cold breakfast is served each morning (buffet style) and there is plenty of it to set you up for the day ahead. There is only one other meal included each day (lunch or dinner) which gives you the opportunity to go ashore and sample the traditional local fare. There is a 24 hour coffee and tea station along with an array of biscuits, cake and fruit for those between meal snacks. Bottled water is included and plentyful. During dining times, beer, wine and juice is included with your meal"

The MS Galileo
The Galileo is a very special vessel. She is a motor vessel however has three masts and sails (pretty much for show). She looks great, travels well and always drew a crowd whenever we docked.
With only 23 cabins (50 passengers) there is plenty of room to spread out over four decks, especially Main and Sun Deck.

Steve's experience
We were a little apprehensive when we first decided to book this particular cruise, for a couple of reasons:
- The type of vessel and ocean swell - too small and will the 
  family get seasick?
- The other passengers - will they all be foreign speaking and will
  we be able to communicate with them?
- What will there be for an eight year old (active) boy to do?

"We couldn't have been more wrong and I'm not just saying that. This cruise, the product delivery, the crew and the destination absolutley 'exceeded our expectations'.
The Galileo was fantatsic, it sailed/cruised well and was stable. The sea was flat for the entire time.
The other passengers were a good mix of American, English, Australian, Spanish and German - everyone seemed to be there for the same reason, to relax, see the Greek Islands and have a good time.
Sam had a ball! There were some other children onboard, they played board games that were supplied by the ship, we had fun ashore (hiring quad-bikes and swimming) and you couldn't get him out of the water during the swim stops"

From an iCruise client - Colin and Patricia Hughes
We have recently returned from a fabulous trip on the Galileo with variety Cruises (organised by iCruise) around the Greek Islands. Because of the smaller size of the vessel we had great access on and off the islands that we visited. Beaches were easily accessed and sometimes we swam off the boat. The facilities on the yacht were great and the food on board was fresh and fabulous. We had spent the previous month touring other countries and to relax on a cruise such as this was just what we required and we were not disappointed. 

Summary
"The Variety Cruise product may not be for everyone (not that you wouldn't enjoy it) but it's "specific" and by that I mean you either cruise the Greek Islands, Croatia or the Red Sea. Europe is a long way from New Zealand and you want to get the best value for money by seeing as much as you can in the time you have available and as a result we would reccommend a larger ship that takes in more countries (i.e. 12 nights Barcelona to Athens via France, Italy, Croatia and Greece) However...if you have been to Europe before or spent 2-3 weeks on a coach tour or want to combine some different holiday components together or...just want to unpack and really relax I would have no hesitation in suggesting and reccommending Variety Cruises as an option"

If you have a group of family, friends or even a business conference...why not consider chartering one of Variety Cruises vessels - iCruise can take care of all your requirements.

 Check out Variety Cruises selection of cruises below:

7 night Jewels of the Cyclades
MS Galileo - Athens/Athens
from NZ$2,074

7 night Classical Greece
MY Harmony V or G - Athens/Athens
from NZ$2,989

7 night Aegean Odyssey
MY Harmony G or V - Athens/Athens
from NZ$2,749

7 night Croatia - The Adriatic Coast
MY Pegasus - Venice/Venice or Split/Split
from NZ$3,751

7 night Red Sea Wonders
MY Harmony G or V - Hurghada/Hurghada (Egypt)
from NZ$2,382