Greek Cyclades island hopping cruise

Planet

ACTIONS ALREADY TAKEN - MONITORING OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Our small ships run on Marine Diesel Oil, unlike larger ships that use non refined Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) which is non-refined, polluting and highly toxic. We will be campaigning for a full international ban of the use of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), which once it leaks into the water, it is almost impossible to clean up, seeping into the ecosystem for long-term contamination. A report from 2017 shows 34 cruise ship operators still use HFO.
Additionally, Regular maintenance for each ship of our fleet takes place twice a year, a practice that is extremely important in reducing fuel consumption.

REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE & INVITING OUR STAFF AND OUR GUESTS TO EXPLORE THE PLANET ON A SAFER, GREENER FLEET, WHEREVER WE EXPLORE:
a) Single-Use Plastic Reduction: One of our guiding principles is to positively impact the areas in which we explore. That is why we are proud to have successfully completed a single-use plastic reduction program across our entire fleet, minimizing single-use plastic items. Such items include straws, stirrers, cups, lids, bottled water, among other items, as well as items wrapped in plastic; single-portion items such as butter cups, jams or yogurts. The first ships to have become completely single-use plastic free has been the M/S Panorama II operating in Southeast Asia as of December 2018. Our goal is to completely eliminate single-use plastics on board all our vessels in phases within 2019. Our hope is that our actions will prompt other cruise operators to do the same.
b) Reusable water bottles in each cabin for guest use on board and on shore: We have removed plastic bottles on board for guest and staff use, and replacing them with reusable eco-friendly solutions, namely the “ECO-Life” 750 ml bottles, for transfer of water and beverages. With a cap made from bamboo and the bottle itself made of stainless steel and 100% non-toxic. Without color and without plastic, this is an eco-friendly solution to reduce waste on board our ships and on shore at the destinations our guests and our crew visit.
c) Our policy on Garbage Management is fully aligned with IMO Regulations and MARPOL (Maritime Pollution Legislation), for the reduction of waste generation, both operational waste from ships (through the MARPOL Convention) and dumping of wastes under the London Convention and Protocol (LC/LP). For garbage and several other types of waste generated on board ships, MARPOL requires port States to provide adequate reception facilities for the safe and sound management of wastes.
d) Offering Eco-friendly bath amenities on board in non-plastic packaging or in refillable containers.
e) Beach clean ups: we organize voluntary beach clean-ups for guests and staff.

People

It is our philosophy to embrace local communities and provide resources to the local industries we visit with the dual mission of providing our guests an authentic local experience as well as to support the communities sharing with us their landscapes, nature, culture, and infrastructure. Greeks are always welcoming and happy to tell the stories of their homeland. Our cruises to the Greek islands leave you plenty of time to explore on your own. Sit by the square for a coffee where usually older Greeks gather and at least one will try to communicate and embrace you! During your shore excursions, you will meet local Greek guides & tour leaders, who are always keen to share their knowledge about our culture, way of living, tradition, and small secrets about their place of living. In addition, since Greek cuisine is the head of the Mediterranean diet, our meals on board are prepared with supplies from the local seasonal markets which allows for an authentic local experience with fresh cuisine. On board, your Greek cruise director and hotel manager are always available to share their passion for Greek culture and provide you with tips for authentic experiences.
During our cruises in Greece, we always propose visitors to visit local craftsmen, producers or places that promote tradition. While on shore, throughout the Jewels of the Cyclades cruise, there are so many options to meet the real life of each island. In Santorini there are numerous wineries that produce local varieties that can only be found on the island. In Paros there are authentic pottery shops where one can meet the producer, see him or her while working and learn the secrets of their art. In Mykonos, apart from the famous beaches and nightlife, there is an authentic cheese production factory where cheese lovers can taste local flavors and meet the producer! Syros is famous for its “loukoumi”, a traditional local delight that visitors can discover during their walk by the port where is the local market. Each cruise is a unique experience to meet the locals and find your own pace on the Greek islands.