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Variety CEO Filippos Venetopoulos on the advantages and challenges of small ship cruising

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Filippos Venetopoulos says smaller ships allow passengers to go deeper into destinations, but call for a 'go-with-the-wind attitude' when it comes to itineraries
Filippos Venetopoulos, CEO of Variety Cruises, has weighed in on the benefits, as well as the challenges, of operating small cruise ships.

‘Our itineraries are thoughtfully designed to visit off-the-beaten-track destinations and engage in authentic exploration while maintaining a focus on sustainability,’ he said. ‘However, small ship cruising comes with its own set of challenges. Being weather dependent means that our itineraries may need to be adjusted based on local conditions, which requires a more flexible and go-with-the-wind attitude.’ 

Venetopoulos continued, ‘We always strive to provide the best experience possible, yet oftentimes, circumstances outside of our control may impact our plans, and thus, sometimes passengers can find themselves off itinerary.’ 

Variety’s ships host an average of 32 passengers, with their largest and flagship vessel Variety Voyager carrying a maximum of 72 passengers.  

Expanding to reach new destinations

The CEO went on to describe the diversity of activities available ashore to passengers cruising with Variety and the various destinations visited by the line, noting, ‘From Greece to West Africa, the Seychelles, Tahiti and beyond, guests can discover authentic local and indigenous cultures, regional cuisine, ancient sites, remote villages and natural wonders only small ships can reach, offering something for first time cruisers and our loyal repeat clientele, as we continue to expand to new destinations all over the world.’