I’m Greek-American, and I wear that badge proudly on my chest. I’ve spent countless summers splashing around the Aegean Sea, visiting relatives in “the village”, and stuffing my face with souvlaki. I know Greece well. However, it wasn’t until I joined a small-ship trip with Variety Cruises that I found something I didn’t even know I was missing. I boarded the recently renovated Harmony G for the staple Classical Greece itinerary. The version of myself that began that cruise could never have expected what the next 8 days would hold.
Why a Small-Ship Cruise Was the Right Way to See Greece
Cait Kontalis / The Manual
For my entire life, I’ve loudly proclaimed I’d never go on a cruise. Nothing about the concept of a large cruise ship and thousands of people was appealing to me. I’d find myself thinking the oh-so-toxic thought many of us journalists refuse to say out loud: “I’m a traveler, not a tourist.” A cruise screamed tourist to me. Despite this deep-rooted grudge against cruises, I was somehow persuaded to give a small-ship cruise a shot. I was promised a small group size and a type of traveler who was, well, more independent than your average cruise goer.
My experience on Harmony G with Variety Cruises proved just that. Harmony G accommodates up to 44 guests across 21 cabins. My particular cruise had fewer than 20 people. Our boat could slide in and out of ports that the larger ships simply can’t access. From the moment I stepped on board and sipped my welcome drink, I could tell the people on this ship were different. Every small-talk conversation was filled with swapping stories of some far-off place we had visited too. I heard tales of backpacking through Mongolia and trekking through Australia. “Alright, these aren’t your usual cruise passengers,” I thought to myself. Every guest on the boat had an interesting story to tell, and nobody needed any hand-holding at the ports.
The team at Variety Cruises was there to help, never interfere. They’d offer advice and assistance, but never tried to force-feed you into some over-touristed experience. I didn’t expect to see so many cruise passengers hop on the local bus or hail their own cab. I was impressed wth these travelers. Throughout the week, I quickly learned my preconceived notions about this type of cruise were wrong. A small-ship experience with Variety Cruises was letting me experience Greece, not just check it off a list like so many other cruises do.
What to expect on and off the boat
Variety Cruises
The rooms onboard the Harmony G were very comfortable. While intimate, they had everything I needed for a week at sea. The staff was extremely attentive and cleaned my room at least twice a day. Every morning I walked down the hall to the dining room and was greeted with a smile and a “Good morning, Cait” as my daily coffee was delivered (without asking). As the cruise was half-board, either lunch or dinner was served. Truly, every meal was impressive. The organized meals thoughtfully curated traditional Greek cuisine into every lunch or dinner, so I never felt like I was “missing out” by not grabbing a bite onshore.
At port, I had a few options to choose from. I could wander on my own, as I did on an impromptu hike in Syros, or join an organized excursion to the archeological sites in Mycenae or to the beach in Crete. I did a variety of self-guided adventures and organized excursions, and each experience was great. I suggest choosing a couple of excursions that interest you and saving some port days to get lost and see what stumbles your way. After all, the best adventures are often unplanned.
How Variety Cruises helped me find my place in the Greek diaspora
Cait Kontalis / The Manual
While Variety Cruises offered the incredible service it advertises, it gave me more than I ever imagined. My family immigrated from Greece relatively recently. Many of my family members hardly speak English. I’ve always been proud of my Greek heritage, but somehow still ashamed that we left. It’s a feeling of being Greek but not quite Greek enough.
My experience on Variety Cruises changed that. It quickly became clear that I was of Greek descent, and I found myself apologizing with my usual, “but my Greek isn’t very good” when chatting with a local crew member. However, every Greek crew member on that trip, and even the two Greek passengers, made me feel like I had come home. At one point, our tour director said to me, “You’re half Greek; that’s Greek enough for us.” Over those eight days, I forged genuine relationships through meaningful conversations with a variety of crew members, which opened my eyes to the fact that it’s okay to be Greek-American. That’s Greek enough.
I had the opportunity to chat with all of my travel companions, and they all mentioned, in one way or another, the incredible hospitality of the Greek tour director and crew. Whether you’re Greek-American or not, you’re going to experience a sense of pride, hospitality, and warmth that you just can’t replicate anywhere else.
Variety Cruises truly is the perfect cruise for people who say they’d never take a cruise. The intimate nature of the vessel coupled with truly extraordinary service is the ideal way to visit the Greek islands. Each port felt like the perfect amount of time. I never felt rushed, or like I’d been anywhere too long. I loved waking up to a new island every morning. The food, accommodations, excursions, and people were all top-tier.
Who should travel with Variety Cruises?
Cait Kontalis / The Manual
This type of experience is for the traveler who wants more from their travels. Sure, you can see Santorini and Mykonos and get those Insta-worthy photos we all want. However, Variety Cruises takes you deeper. It takes you into the soul of the country and its people. On the island of Crete, traditional dancers boarded our trip, and we all got to participate in Greek dance. I found myself grinning ear to ear. I started to choke up when I thought of my grandparents leaving Greece, and how I knew they’d be so, so proud of me for dancing Xasaposerviko under the Hellenic sun.
Leaving Greece, I usually feel sad to be leaving on vacation. For the first time, when I stepped back into the Athens airport, I truly felt like I was leaving home.