Based in Athens, Variety Cruises offers a fleet of eight motor sailboats and megayachts, along with three private yachts. They operate in destinations including Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain, Portugal, the Adriatic Sea, the Black Sea, Oman, Dubai, the Seychelles, Tahiti and French Polynesia, the Middle East, the Red Sea, and more.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 60 – March 2022
Zurvas brings extensive experience in the cruise market. He was previously Director of Sales for Asia Pacific at Quark Expeditions and prior to that spent time with Scenic Cruises and Tours and Carnival Corporation.
You joined Variety Cruises last September in a newly created position, Global Sales Director. Does your arrival and new role correspond to a new expansion strategy at Variety?
We have a clear vision of where we see the company, and I was hired to contribute to, guide, and help execute that vision, in terms of our sustainability goals, distribution, and so on.
She has extensive experience in this industry, having held various positions with cruise lines and smaller luxury expedition vessels. What sets Variety Crisis apart in the market? How would you define the product?
We offer a relaxed, boutique small yacht experience that prides itself on opening up new and adventurous destinations, such as the rivers of West Africa and Cape Verde, to name just a few. Immersion in the local communities where we stop and longer stays in some destinations are also key to our unique offering.
What are Variety's main markets? How important is the Spanish market to the company? Is it a target for you?
The main markets have always been the United States and Australia; however, Spain is quickly becoming a major player. I believe the product fits the "Spanish" lifestyle, which is why it has been successful.
I believe that Spaniards like to relax, a country that loves spending time with family and friends enjoying good food and good company in a beautiful environment that speaks to the essence of the Variety Cruises product.
Define the Variety customer.
A Variety Cruises customer is well-traveled, adventurous, and seeks something off the beaten tourist track—something unique yet unpretentious. They are more motivated by the experience than a hotel room, preferring to connect with the human side of a destination rather than the shopping malls of a big city.
As a Greek cruise company, is Greece the most relevant destination Variety visits?
Greece is our backyard; it's where it all began, and in my opinion, nobody does it better—and it's not by chance; we've been doing it this way for 70 years. We're a family-owned, full-service company. We build our own ships, design the itineraries, and everything else. It's the attention to detail and hands-on approach that makes us the market leader in small-ship cruising. However, we're constantly looking for new destinations to pioneer, with some newly established destinations about to launch.
Variety's fleet is very diverse, ranging from small yacht-like boats to sailboats. Will there be future additions to the fleet?
We are definitely considering expanding by adding more boats to the fleet very soon; however, we will always maintain our focus on smaller boats.
How is the sales recovery going? When do you think activity will approach 2019 levels?
It's happening now to some extent. There have been ups and downs with certain events around the world; however, as I always say, travel is instinctive—it's ingrained in our DNA to discover, learn, and experience things as if it were the first time. Travel is a beautiful thing, and it will return to 2019 levels by mid-2022!
So, would you recommend a Variety cruise for an average Spanish couple this summer of 2022?
I wholeheartedly recommend it. There are few things more fun in this world than sailing around the Greek islands with the people you love most. My only advice is: don't wait!
