Cruise guides, tips and news
Cruise guides, destination tips and news from the Seafarer team. Read up on the Greek islands, Croatia, the Nile, the Seychelles and our other destinations before you go, find out what life is like on board a small ship, and catch up on what’s new. When you’re ready to plan, browse our destinations, sail on a mega yacht or a tall ship, explore the Nile on a river cruise, or take the whole vessel with a private charter.
More about our cruise guides
Our cruise guides draw on our team’s first-hand knowledge of the ships and destinations we offer. We have been arranging small ship cruises since 1995, and as the UK General Sales Agent for Variety Cruises we know every vessel in the fleet. If your question isn’t answered here, call our cruise team on 020 8324 3117.
![Cristiana enjoying the view in Santorini during a reflective moment on a small ship cruise in Greece]()
Small Ship Cruises: A Greek Island Adventure Finale
The finale of Cristiana’s Jewels of the Cyclades diary: Ancient Olympia, Klio’s Honey Farm, Greek dancing on deck, the Corinth Canal and goodbyes to Galileo’s crew.
![Traveller on a Cyclades cruise itinerary admiring the deep-blue Aegean from a clifftop terrace in Santorini, camera in hand.]()
Cyclades Cruise Itinerary: Santorini, Castles, and Caves
Part 2 of Cristiana’s Jewels of the Cyclades diary: Santorini, a rough night at sea, the castle town of Monemvasia, the Diros caves and a captain tied up for luck.
![Hippopotamuses, often heard before they’re seen, snorting, grunting, or rising silently from beneath the water.]()
Gambia River Cruise: Wildlife and Culture in West Africa
A Gambia river cruise from Dakar on M/Y Harmony V: hippos, crocodiles and more than 540 bird species, the Bao Bolong wetlands, Janjanbureh and riverside village life.
![Holiday consultant Cristiana enjoying the Aegean vista on the Athens to Cyclades Cruise.]()
Athens to Cyclades Cruise: Packing, Boarding, Setting Sail
Part 1 of Cristiana’s Jewels of the Cyclades diary: packing for a small ship, boarding Galileo at Marina Zeas, Greek food on board and a change of course.
![A small ship cruise anchored in a secluded bay with crystal-clear waters and rugged hills]()
Small Ship Cruise: The Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide
Your first small ship cruise, explained: life on board, where small ships can go, how to prepare, and how small ships compare with large cruise ships.
![The words Seychelles and Tahiti written in the sand on two tropical beaches]()
Small Ship Cruising: Tahiti or Seychelles?
Tahiti or Seychelles? Compare the two by small ship: getting there, the best months, nature, culture and food, and which island escape suits you.
![Aerial view of Isola Bella near Taormina, a must-see destination on any Sicily travel itinerary]()
Sicily History Trail: Greek Temples to Norman Gold
Sicily history from Greek temples to Norman gold: Agrigento, Taormina and Syracuse, then the mosaics of Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù, and how to see Sicily by small ship.
![A traditional ship with white sails cruising along a scenic coastline, promoting sustainable travel]()
Sustainable Travel: Why small ship Cruises Lead the Way
How small ship cruises support sustainable travel: lower emissions, fewer crowds, local spending, and real conservation work on board and ashore.
![Panorama II sailing off Moorea]()
The Yacht Cruise Experience: our 2026–2027 brochure
Our 2026–2027 yacht cruise brochure: fourteen Variety Cruises itineraries with route maps, day-by-day plans, prices and the full fleet.
![Two glasses of white wine raised in a toast at a wine tasting in Athens]()
Greek Wine Cruise with Tim Clarke
A Greek wine cruise with wine expert Tim Clarke on M/S Panorama: Assyrtiko on Santorini, Agiorgitiko in Nemea, expert tastings and wine-paired meals.
![Woman in a sun hat relaxing on a white sand beach by turquoise water]()
What to Pack for a Small Ship Cruise: Your Packing List
Our small ship cruise packing list: the documents you need, light layers, swimwear, water shoes for tender landings, and what to leave at home.
![Blue-domed churches of Oia above the caldera, Santorini]()
Cyclades Islands: A Guide to Island Hopping by Small Ship
A guide to the Cyclades islands, from Santorini and Delos to quiet Folegandros and Kythnos, and how to see them all on one small ship cruise.
