Ionian Odyssey Cruise: Exclusive Ionian Island-Hopping

The Blue Voyage Small Ship Cruises offers a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the luxury of premium motor sailers and mega yachts with the charm of small ship sailing. For years, our mission has been to ensure our guests feel as though they are vacationing on the private yacht of a close friend. This experience transcends the typical cruise; we have taken every measure to guarantee a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable journey aboard our vessels. With a blend of cruising and generous leisure time in each port, including overnight stays, our guests are invited to delve into the rich culinary traditions and vibrant culture, engaging with local communities. Additionally, thanks to their smaller size, our ships can access the heart of each destination, reaching areas where larger cruise ships are unable to go. Our expert team has meticulously crafted itineraries over the past five decades, showcasing renowned destinations as well as hidden gems, allowing you to immerse yourself in local customs as a true traveler rather than a mere tourist.

Our cruises embrace inclusivity for all individuals, celebrating diversity regardless of their backgrounds. We cherish the varied experiences of our team, guests, and the communities we engage with. Every vessel in our fleet is welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community, and our crew undergoes training on LGBTQIA+ issues while honoring all gender identities. We actively participate in enhancing the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and strive to close the gender divide in workplaces through our initiative with VARIETY CARES. As we navigate diverse regions around the globe, we aim to focus on LGBTQIA+ friendly destinations; however, in areas where local customs might not supportive of our community, we take the responsibility to inform our guests of relevant cultural practices and safety considerations. Our criteria for determining an LGBTQIA+ safe destination includes the presence of either a physical or online LGBTQIA+ resource center for guests to access. For those interested in LGBTQIA+ specific themed journeys, affectionately termed our “straight friendly” cruises, please explore our LIMITED COLLECTION category.

All travelers are encouraged to arrive at the port 2 hours ahead of the scheduled departure. Disembarkation takes place after breakfast around 9am. Additionally, please be aware that sailing schedules can be found in the Daily Program, and adherence to the indicated “ALL ABOARD” time is mandatory, as noted on the Notice Board. If you fail to board by the designated time, any consequences are yours to bear. The “all aboard” time is set for 15 minutes before the ship's departure time. 

All cruise embarkation points: 

All cruises in Greece: Plateia Alexandras (located outside Olympiacos FOC headquarters, nearest street address: Akti Kountouriotou 1) 

Seychelles: 

Mahe (Inter Island Quay): Victoria port 

Praslin: Eve Island 

Tahiti and French Polynesia: Cruise ships Terminal / Papeete dock ES 3 

Cape Verde: Palmeira Port, Sal 

Egypt, Jordan and Israel: 

Aqaba, Jordan: Aqaba old port, berth 7 

Tel Aviv, Israel: Ashdod port 

West Africa: 

Dakar, Senegal: Dakar Main Port, Mole 1, Pier 12-16 

Banjul, The Gambia: Banjul Main Port, Liberation Avenue, New Jetty

To ensure the utmost comfort and enjoyment of our esteemed guests, our itineraries are typically designed to embrace warm weather conditions instead of extreme heat. Given the sometimes unpredictable nature of the world’s climate, our intimate vessels are rarely far away from a cozy harbor or marina. Our cruise offerings in Greece and Italy & Malta are available from April through October; however, we additionally provide an off-season themed cruise program in Greece called the Antiquity to Byzantium, which runs in March, April, October, and November. Our cruise operations in West Africa, Cape Verde, and the regions of Egypt, Jordan & Israel are available from November until April. In the idyllic locations of the Seychelles and Tahiti & French Polynesia, our cruise experiences are offered throughout the entire year.

The Blue Voyage Small Ship Cruises do not offer any facilities aimed at entertaining children, and reservations for those under the age of five are not allowed. Therefore, it is crucial for parents to acknowledge that any children on board are entirely under their supervision and responsibility.

Unless a specific package has been secured, transfers to and from the vessel, shore activities, beverages including wine and alcohol, telephone charges, gratuities, laundry services, and personal items are not covered and may be arranged during the voyage or incur additional costs. A boutique is present on certain vessels. All onboard expenses are charged in Euros, although payments in USD and via card are also permitted (American Express is not accepted).

Gratuities are not included in our rates and are at the discretion of our guests. As a reference point, pleased patrons often leave between Euro 15-18 per guest, daily. These tips are distributed among all crew members. Guests can adjust the tip amount according to their level of satisfaction.

Most shore excursions are not included in the small ship cruise prices (please check the cruise details) and are available according to the cruise itinerary and the specific ports of call. Information can be found in your cabin and is also updated daily by the onboard Cruise Coordinator. Shore excursions are subject to shore and weather conditions and must meet a minimum participation requirement.

Onboard our intimate vessels, you will discover exquisite dining areas, ample sun decks, and cozy lounges. Swimming pools are not available as our guests often take refreshing swims directly off the ships or access hidden beaches via tender. Your cruising itinerary includes either breakfast along with lunch or dinner, or all meals included. Dining is scheduled at designated times, allowing for flexible seating arrangements. Limited laundry services can be availed for a fee on our small ships. Shore excursions can be arranged at an additional cost. Both the M/Y Pegasos and the M/Y Variety Voyager feature a modest wellness suite offering massages and various beauty treatments. For those seeking adventure, activities such as swimming from the ships, snorkeling, kayaking, and canoeing are available. In select locations, diving excursions can also be organized.