Emerald Cruises vs Variety Cruises

The core difference

Emerald Cruises and Variety Cruises both operate in the small-ship category and both access harbours that larger vessels cannot reach — but the similarity ends there. One is a modern, professionally marketed superyacht brand backed by an Australian-listed travel company. The other is a third-generation family-owned Greek operation that feels less like a cruise line and more like borrowing a well-connected friend’s yacht for a week. The distinction matters because these two lines define the opposite ends of what “small-ship cruising” can mean — and choosing between them depends not on which is better, but on what kind of traveller you are.

Emerald Azzurra is a purpose-built superyacht launched in 2022, carrying 100 guests across 50 suites with 88 per cent featuring step-out balconies. She is part of Scenic Group, an Australian-owned company headquartered in Newcastle, New South Wales, with more than thirty-five years of operation. An infinity pool, a water-sports marina deployed from the stern, regionally sourced dining, and included shore excursions create a polished superyacht experience. The fleet is expanding to four yachts by 2027 with sister ships Kaia, Raiya, and Xara. The product is designed for travellers in their forties to sixties who want contemporary luxury without excessive formality — the kind of people who appreciate good design, reliable service, and the reassurance of a well-known Australian brand behind the operation.

Variety Cruises is a family-owned Greek company operating 11 motor yachts that carry an average of just 50 guests each — some as few as 34. Founded by the Variety family (now in its third generation of ownership), the company has hospitality in its DNA and delivers a style of cruising that feels closer to a private yacht charter than a conventional voyage. The ships are compact and unpretentious — comfort and character take priority over glitz. Shallow-draft vessels slip into tiny harbours, quiet coves, and lesser-known Greek islands that even Emerald’s 100-guest yacht cannot always access. The half-board arrangement is deliberate: breakfast and one main meal are included, freeing guests to eat ashore and discover local tavernas on their own terms. Swim stops in open water, snorkelling gear, and the warmth of a Greek crew create a convivial, authentic atmosphere.

For Australian travellers, the question is whether you want a polished superyacht holiday with modern comforts and Australian backing, or whether you want the most authentic small-ship Greek island experience available — where the journey feels like discovery rather than delivery.

What is actually included

The inclusion models are genuinely different and reflect fundamentally different philosophies about what a cruise fare should cover.

Emerald’s yacht fare includes all onboard dining, selected beverages with meals, a programme of included shore excursions at most ports, access to the marina platform, and crew gratuities. Premium beverages carry a surcharge. The inclusion of shore excursions is a meaningful benefit — guided tours and cultural visits at most ports are bundled into the fare. The model is designed for travellers who want predictability: pay the fare, and most of the holiday is covered.

Variety’s fare operates on a half-board basis. Breakfast and one main meal — typically lunch or dinner — are included. This is not a cost-cutting measure but a deliberate philosophy: guests are freed to eat ashore at local restaurants, harbour-side tavernas, and village cafes, experiencing the destination’s cuisine firsthand rather than eating every meal aboard. Many Variety guests cite these independent dining experiences as the highlight of their voyage — a grilled octopus at a harbour-side taverna in a tiny Cycladic village, a plate of meze at a family-run restaurant in the Peloponnese. Swim stops, snorkelling gear, and fishing equipment are provided. Shore excursions are generally optional and priced separately.

The net calculation depends on your priorities. Emerald’s all-inclusive approach delivers convenience and cost certainty. Variety’s half-board model delivers freedom and authenticity. For travellers who want to know the total cost before they board, Emerald is the better model. For those who consider eating at a village taverna the reason for visiting Greece in the first place, Variety’s deliberate exclusion of some meals is not a limitation — it is the point. Australian travellers should factor in the cost of dining ashore when comparing total expenditure, though Greek taverna prices remain among the most affordable in the Mediterranean.

Dining and culinary experience

The dining philosophies of these two lines illuminate the broader distinction between polish and authenticity.

Emerald’s dining aboard Azzurra is served in a modern restaurant with regionally sourced menus designed to reflect each port of call. The intimate guest count of 100 allows the kitchen to operate with agility. An al fresco dining option adds ambiance. The quality is strong for the price bracket — fresh ingredients, competent preparation, and attractive presentation. All meals are included, and the dining experience is a reliable pleasure throughout the voyage.

Variety’s onboard dining covers breakfast and one main meal, served communally in a setting that feels more like a yachting party than a restaurant. The food is honest, well-prepared, and influenced by Greek culinary traditions — fresh fish, local vegetables, olive oil, and the flavours of the Aegean. It is not elaborate, but it is authentic and satisfying. The real culinary experience, however, happens ashore. Extended evening stays in port — a Variety signature — allow guests to wander village streets after the day-trippers have gone, find a harbour-side taverna, and eat the way locals do. This is dining as cultural immersion, and guests consistently cite it as one of the defining pleasures of a Variety voyage.

The comparison is not about which kitchen is better — it is about where the culinary experience happens. On Emerald, dining is a well-executed onboard experience. On Variety, dining is split between the ship and the destination, with the shore-side meals often providing the most memorable food of the voyage. For travellers who want polished, reliable dining aboard a modern yacht, Emerald delivers. For those who consider a taverna dinner in a village harbour the highest form of holiday dining, Variety’s half-board philosophy enables exactly that.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation gap between these lines is significant, and prospective guests should understand it clearly.

Emerald Azzurra’s suites range from stateroom categories at approximately 210 square feet to the Owner’s Suite at roughly 515 square feet. Eighty-eight per cent feature step-out balconies. The design is contemporary, with clean lines, quality textiles, modern bathrooms, and functional layouts. The consistency is a strength — every cabin delivers a well-designed, comfortable space that meets modern expectations.

Variety’s cabins are functional rather than luxurious. The ships are working motor yachts, and the accommodation reflects that — compact cabins with efficient layouts, adequate storage, and clean but simple bathrooms. Some vessels show their age in places, and cabin sizes are typically smaller than Emerald’s entry-level offerings. There are no balconies, and windows may be portholes on some vessels. The cabins are perfectly adequate for travellers who plan to spend their days on deck, ashore, or swimming from the ship — but they will not satisfy guests who expect the finish and space of a modern superyacht.

The distinction is between a hotel room and a cabin on a friend’s boat. Emerald provides the former — reliably comfortable, well-designed, and modern. Variety provides the latter — functional, characterful, and entirely secondary to the experience happening outside. For travellers who need a certain standard of accommodation to enjoy a holiday, Emerald is the only choice. For those who consider the cabin a place to sleep between island explorations, Variety’s simpler quarters are part of the charm.

Pricing and value

The pricing comparison reflects different market positions, different levels of hardware, and different definitions of what travellers are paying for.

Emerald’s yacht per-diem runs approximately AUD $500 to $800 per person per night for standard suite categories, with seven-night voyages typically starting from approximately AUD $4,000 to $6,000 per person including meals, selected beverages, excursions, and gratuities. Scenic Group’s Australian presence means AUD pricing and local support.

Variety’s per-diem starts from approximately AUD $250 to $450 per person per night on a half-board basis, with seven-night Greek island voyages available from roughly AUD $2,000 to $3,500 per person. Dining ashore, shore excursions, and beverages add to the total, but even with these additions, a Variety voyage is typically materially less expensive than an equivalent Emerald cruise. The pricing reflects the simpler hardware and fewer onboard amenities — but also makes small-ship cruising accessible to a broader range of Australian travellers.

The value question is nuanced. Emerald delivers more tangible luxury per dollar — modern suites, an infinity pool, included excursions, and a polished onboard experience. Variety delivers more authenticity per dollar — tiny harbours, Greek crew warmth, taverna dinners, and the irreplaceable feeling of cruising like a local. Both are excellent value for what they offer. Australian travellers should choose based on what they value rather than on a line-by-line feature comparison.

Spa and wellness

The spa and wellness comparison underscores the hardware gap between these lines.

Emerald Azzurra offers a spa area with treatment rooms, a beauty salon, and a fitness centre. The infinity pool on the upper deck is a centrepiece and relaxation space. The marina platform provides kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling gear. The wellness offering is well-rounded for a 100-guest yacht.

Variety does not offer a conventional spa, fitness centre, or swimming pool. The wellness experience is the sea itself — swim stops in open water are a regular feature, with the ship anchoring in bays and coves for guests to jump in and snorkel. Snorkelling gear and fishing equipment are provided. The sun deck is the relaxation space. The wellness philosophy is elemental: sun, sea, salt air, and the gentle motion of a small ship in calm Greek waters.

If spa facilities and a swimming pool matter to you, Emerald is the only option. If your definition of wellness is swimming from a yacht in a secluded bay, drying off on a sun deck with a coffee, and feeling the Mediterranean sun on your skin, Variety delivers that in its purest form.

Entertainment and enrichment

Neither line offers production shows, casinos, or structured evening entertainment in the conventional cruise sense.

Emerald’s enrichment is destination-focused, with the EmeraldACTIVE programme providing included guided excursions — walking tours, cycling, and cultural visits. Evening entertainment consists of live music, cultural performances, and the social atmosphere of the yacht’s public spaces. The programme is curated and professionally managed.

Variety’s enrichment is the destination itself. Extended evening stays in port — a signature of the Variety experience — allow guests to explore villages, attend local festivals, and discover the rhythms of island life after the day-trippers have departed. There is no enrichment programme in a formal sense. The entertainment is the conversation of fellow passengers, the scenery, the swim stops, and the nightly choice of eating aboard or finding a taverna ashore. The international passenger mix and the warmth of the Greek crew create a convivial atmosphere where friendships form quickly and evenings are animated by shared stories rather than scheduled activities.

The distinction is between curated enrichment (Emerald) and organic discovery (Variety). Emerald provides a professional programme that ensures guests experience each destination meaningfully. Variety trusts guests to explore independently and provides the setting — the tiny harbour, the extended port stay, the local knowledge of the Greek crew — for discovery to happen naturally. For travellers who prefer guidance and structure, Emerald is the better fit. For independent-minded explorers who consider an unplanned evening in a Greek village the finest enrichment available, Variety is the superior philosophy.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison reveals different scales and very different geographic specialisations.

Emerald’s yacht fleet centres on Azzurra, expanding to four sister ships by 2027. Deployment covers the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red Sea, and select seasonal rotations. The broader Emerald brand includes river vessels across European waterways and the Mekong. The expanding fleet offers increasing itinerary choice for Australian travellers.

Variety’s fleet of 11 motor yachts is the larger by vessel count but much smaller by total guest capacity — averaging 50 guests per ship, the entire fleet carries roughly 550 passengers when fully deployed. The geographic focus is primarily the Greek islands, with additional programmes in the broader Mediterranean, West Africa (Cape Verde and Senegal), and the Seychelles. The Greek islands programme is the core product and the strongest recommendation — itineraries thread through the Cyclades, Ionian islands, Dodecanese, Saronic Gulf, and the Peloponnese with a local knowledge that no foreign operator can match.

For Australian travellers, Emerald offers broader Mediterranean coverage and an expanding fleet. Variety offers the deepest possible Greek islands programme — more routes, more islands, and more local insight than any competitor. Variety’s West African and Seychelles deployments are unusual and appealing for adventurous Australian travellers seeking genuinely off-the-beaten-path destinations. Neither line operates in Australian waters.

Where each line excels

Emerald Cruises excels in:

• Modern comfort. Balcony suites, an infinity pool, a marina platform, a spa, and contemporary design. The most comfortable onboard experience in this comparison.
• Australian ownership and support. Scenic Group provides AUD pricing, local phone support, and familiarity with Australian travel patterns.
• Included excursions. Shore excursions bundled into the fare represent genuine savings and convenience.
• Consistency. A predictable standard of accommodation, dining, and service across all cabins and voyages.
• Fleet growth. Four yachts by 2027 provides increasing choice and availability.

Variety Cruises excels in:

• Authenticity. The most genuine Greek island experience available by sea. Greek-owned, Greek-crewed, with itineraries designed by people who have been sailing these waters for three generations. No foreign operator can replicate this level of local knowledge.
• Intimacy. An average of 50 guests per vessel — some as few as 34 — creates an atmosphere closer to a private charter than a cruise. On a 34-guest Variety yacht, you will know every fellow traveller by the second morning.
• Harbour access. Shallow-draft motor yachts access tiny harbours, coves, and islands that even Emerald’s 100-guest superyacht cannot enter. The very smallest Greek island ports are Variety territory exclusively.
• Half-board freedom. The deliberate exclusion of some meals frees guests to eat ashore — at village tavernas, harbour-side restaurants, and family-run kitchens. This is not a shortcoming but a philosophy.
• Value. The most affordable entry into small-ship cruising, making intimate yacht-scale travel accessible to a broader range of Australian budgets.
• Extended port stays. Evening stays that allow guests to experience islands after the day-trippers have departed — a detail that loyal Variety passengers cite as the single greatest advantage of the product.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Azzurra: Adriatic and Dalmatian Coast (7-10 nights, seasonal) — Croatia’s islands and Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor with included walking tours. The marina platform deploys in the warm Adriatic. Fly to Venice or Dubrovnik from Australian gateways via Singapore, Dubai, or Doha.

Emerald Azzurra: Greek Islands and Turkish Coast (7-10 nights, seasonal) — Cyclades and Dodecanese island-hopping with calls at Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes. The modern superyacht provides a comfortable base for exploring these iconic destinations.

Variety Cruises

Classical Greece (7 nights, seasonal, roundtrip Athens) — The signature Variety itinerary, threading through the Cyclades to Santorini and Mykonos before heading to the sacred island of Delos, Monemvasia, and the Peloponnese. Extended evening stays allow guests to explore these islands after the cruise ship day-trippers have departed. The 50-guest yacht accesses tiny harbours that no other cruise line visits. Fly to Athens from Australian east coast cities via Singapore, Dubai, or Doha — a straightforward one-stop connection.

Jewels of the Cyclades (7 nights, seasonal, roundtrip Athens) — The deeper Cycladic exploration, visiting lesser-known islands alongside the iconic ones. This itinerary reveals the Greece that most tourists never see — quiet villages, hidden beaches, and the authentic rhythms of island life. For Australian travellers who have visited Santorini and Mykonos on larger ships and want to discover what lies beyond, this is the voyage.

Seychelles (7-10 nights, seasonal) — Variety’s Indian Ocean deployment brings the same intimate yacht experience to the Seychelles archipelago, with swim stops, snorkelling, and island-hopping aboard a small motor yacht. For Australian travellers, the Seychelles are accessible via one-stop connections through Singapore or the Middle East, and the combination of Variety’s yacht-scale intimacy with the Seychelles’ extraordinary marine environment is compelling.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Emerald Cruises

Emerald Azzurra (100 guests, launched 2022) — The proven original. Choose for the most established Emerald yacht experience, with well-refined service patterns and the strongest value proposition. The infinity pool, marina platform, and 88 per cent balcony ratio deliver a complete modern superyacht package.

Emerald Kaia, Raiya, Xara (approximately 100 guests each, 2026-2027) — Sister ships with design refinements. Book early for inaugural departures.

Variety Cruises

Variety’s fleet of 11 motor yachts varies in size and character, and the line typically assigns vessels to itineraries rather than marketing individual ships as named products. The recommendation is to choose by itinerary rather than by vessel. The Classical Greece route is the strongest starting point for Australian travellers — it delivers the core Variety experience in the waters that the company knows best. For those seeking the smallest, most intimate experience, request a sailing on one of the smaller vessels (34-50 guests). For those who want slightly more space and amenities, the larger vessels in the fleet (50-72 guests) offer marginally more onboard comfort while retaining the essential Variety character.

For Australian travellers specifically

Both lines require international flights from Australian gateways, and neither operates in Australian waters — but the practical considerations differ.

Emerald’s Australian advantage is substantial. As part of Scenic Group, Emerald offers AUD pricing, Australian-hours phone support, local travel agent relationships, and a company that understands Australian travel patterns. For Australian travellers who value dealing with a locally headquartered operator, this is a genuine differentiator. The Scenic Group brand is well-known in Australia, providing confidence for travellers new to the yacht category.

Variety’s Australian presence is limited. The company is headquartered in Athens, Greece, with primary sales operations in Europe and North America. Australian travellers typically book through specialist travel agents who access Variety via international wholesale channels. There is no dedicated Australian office, no AUD brochure pricing, and no local marketing team. The booking process is straightforward through experienced agents — including Pan Australian Travel — but requires comfort with international transactions. The upside is that Variety’s Greek-based operations deliver an authenticity that no foreign-headquartered company can match.

The flight factor is comparable for both lines’ Greek and Mediterranean programmes. Athens is accessible from Australian east coast cities via a single connection through Singapore, Dubai, Doha, or Hong Kong. For Variety’s Seychelles programme, connections through Singapore or the Middle East are required. Neither line requires the US-routed connections that some Caribbean-focused operators demand.

The demographic consideration is worth noting. Variety’s passenger mix is predominantly European — German, French, Italian, and British travellers form the majority, with Australians a smaller but growing contingent. The communal, multilingual atmosphere is part of the charm for cosmopolitan Australian travellers. Emerald’s passenger base is more consistently Australian and British, creating a potentially more familiar social environment.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmospheres aboard these two lines represent perhaps the starkest contrast in this comparison series.

Emerald’s atmosphere is contemporary, relaxed, and sociable. The 100-guest capacity creates a friendly dynamic where guests recognise each other by the second day. The demographic trends toward couples in their forties to sixties, active and well-travelled. The dress code is smart casual. The vibe is modern and polished — a superyacht holiday that feels accessible and well-managed.

Variety’s atmosphere is informal, convivial, and centred on the sea and the destination. The dress code is genuinely casual — barefoot on the sun deck is standard, and there is no expectation of anything beyond comfortable clothing at dinner. The 50-guest average (and sometimes as few as 34) creates a house-party dynamic that is more intimate than any superyacht can achieve. The Greek crew are the soul of the experience — warm, welcoming, and genuine in a way that reflects the family ownership and the company’s deep roots in Greek hospitality. The social atmosphere is animated and cosmopolitan, with guests from half a dozen countries sharing stories over wine at dinner and finding common ground in the shared pleasure of simple things done well.

The fundamental distinction: Emerald feels like a superyacht holiday. Variety feels like you have borrowed a friend’s yacht and are exploring the Greek islands with a small group of interesting strangers and the best Greek crew imaginable. Both are wonderful. They create different kinds of memories.

The bottom line

Emerald Cruises and Variety Cruises occupy different ends of the small-ship spectrum, and the choice between them is ultimately about what you value most in a holiday.

Choose Emerald for a polished, modern superyacht experience from an Australian-owned operator. Choose it for balcony suites, an infinity pool, included excursions, reliable dining, AUD pricing, and the comfort of Scenic Group’s local support. Choose it for the expanding fleet, the contemporary design, and the reassurance of a well-known Australian brand. Choose it if consistency, comfort, and a certain standard of luxury are important to your enjoyment. Emerald delivers a complete superyacht package at a competitive price.

Choose Variety for the most authentic small-ship experience in the Greek islands. Choose it for 50 guests or fewer, for Greek crew who treat you like family, for tiny harbours that no other cruise line visits, for extended evening stays that let you discover island life after the crowds have gone, and for taverna dinners ashore that become the meals you remember for years. Choose it for the half-board freedom to eat like a local, for the swim stops in secluded bays, and for a fare that makes intimate cruising accessible to a broader range of budgets. Accept that the ships are not new, that cabins are functional rather than luxurious, and that there is no pool, no spa, and no evening entertainment beyond the conversation of your fellow travellers and the beauty of a Greek island harbour at dusk.

For Australian travellers drawn to Greece, both lines deliver the islands beautifully — Emerald with the polish of a modern superyacht, Variety with the soul of a Greek family’s yacht. The traveller who experiences both will understand that these are not competing products but complementary ways of falling in love with the same extraordinary coastline.