Small-Ship Cruise Lines

easyCruise

The Rotunda, 42/43 Gloucester Crescent, London, U.K., NW17DL. tel. 211/211-6211. www.easycruise.com.

easyCruise breaks just about every rule in the cruise book. Instead of arriving in the morning and departing in the evening, why not pull in port around lunchtime and stay into the early morning the next day, in order to enjoy the nightlife? Why not charge only for the room and let passengers choose to eat ashore or pay for meals onboard like regular hotels do? Why not offer Greek cruises for 29€ to 37€ ($40-$50) a night? The line, the brainchild of Greek shipping heir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who founded ultra-low cost carrier EasyJet, set out to offer the anti-cruise, where passengers pay a la carte. And so far, it's succeeded.

The line's made some changes since its birth in 2005. The vessel, the easyCruiseOne (built in 1990; 232 passengers; 4,077 GRTs), was initially painted a bright orange. Now it's a more subdued gray with orange trim. The simple cabins have received a new, muted color scheme and more windows have been added to the cabins. The ship now has a spa and more dining options: In its maiden year in Greece the line offered ethnic food and drink choices, such as tzatziki, roasted vegetable and lamb kabob, Greek wine, and Mythos beer. The line attracts a young crowd -- it says the average age of its passengers is 32. Because there are no set mealtimes, and a lot of passengers are off the ship during the day to see ruins or hit the beach, and off in the evenings for dinner, barhopping, and dancing, the atmosphere is quite different from a regular cruise ship. easyCruiseOne's Fusionon4 bar and restaurant doubles as the ship's late-night disco, and the line advertises aromatherapy massages for under 30€ ($41).

Rates are for a cabin with twin beds and a window, exclusive of services like food and housekeeping.

As this book was going to press, easyCruise announced that it was bringing on another ship, to be called the easyCruise Life (built in 1981; 540 passengers; 12,711 GRTs), that would offer 7-day cruises from Athens and Bodrum, Turkey.

Itineraries & Rates -- easyCruise One -- Seven-day round-trip Athens cruise calls at Corinth, Ithaki, Katakolon, Itea, Aegina, and overnights in Athens. Sundays from February 24 through April 6. Rates: From 146€ ($201). Eleven-day round-trip Athens cruise calls at Itea, Ithaki, Paxos, Agioi Santara (Albania), Corfu, Preveza, Kefallonia, Zakynthos, Corinth, and Aegina. April 13. Rates: From 296€ ($407). Ten-day round-trip Athens cruise calls at Itea, Ithaki, Paxos, Agioi Saranta (Albania), Corfu, Preveza, Kefallonia, Zakynthos, and Corinth. Alternating Mondays from June 23 through September 29. Rates: From 302€ ($415). Four-day round-trip Athens cruise calls at Poros, Mykonos, Paros, and Sifnos. Alternating Thursdays from July 3 through September 25. Rates: From 143€ ($197).

easyCruise Life -- Seven-day round-trip cruises from Athens call in Syros, Kalymnos, Bodrum (Turkey), Kos, Samos, Mykonos, and Paros. Saturdays from April 19 through October 11. Also offers embarkations from Bodrum for 7-day cruises on Mondays from April 21 through October 6. Rates: From 200€ ($282).

Seabourn Cruise Line

6100 Blue Lagoon Dr., Suite 400, Miami, FL 33126. tel. 800/929-9391. www.seabourn.com.

Seabourn excels in many areas, including food, service, itineraries, and a luxurious and refined environment. These cruises are pricey, and the customers who can afford them are often very discriminating. Discretion is key on these vessels, and the sophisticated environment and decor prove it.

Although the ambience aboard the ships can be casual during the day, it becomes decidedly more formal in the evening, although new dining options with modern cuisine and an "always informal" option at the restaurant at the top of the ship will go a way to making it feel more casual. There's an open bar policy and lots of open, teak decks, which make these ships very yacht-like.

Nighttime entertainment is low-key, though cabaret nights with themes like 1950s rock [?]n' roll can get the audience going.

Seabourn has three nearly identical ships, but the Seabourn Spirit (built in 1989; 208 passengers; 10,000 GRTs) is handling the line's Greece offerings this year.

All cabins on the Seabourn Spirit are outside suites. Each cabin's fully stocked bar is complimentary. The ships were built before private balconies were a must-have amenity, so the must-get cabins are the ones with French balconies -- sliding doors you can open to let in the ocean breezes (two new ships on order for Seabourn will have balconies, but they won't be in service until 2009). The other cabins have 1.5m-wide (5-ft.) picture windows, plenty big enough to make the room bright and airy. Owner's suites are very plush and offer private verandas.

The ships come equipped with a floating marina that, when lowered, provides a platform for watersports. Sunfish, kayaks, snorkeling gear, high-speed banana boats, and water skis are available for passenger use. There's also a mesh net that becomes a saltwater swimming pool.

Itineraries & Rates -- Seabourn Spirit -- Eleven-day Alexandria (Egypt)-to-Athens cruise calls at Rhodes, Bodrum (Turkey), Santorini, Chania, Gythion, Pylos, Katakolon, Corinth Canal, Itea, and Nafplion. May 13. Rates: from 4,773€ ($6,598). Seven-day Athens-to-Istanbul cruise calls at Mykonos, Mylos, Patmos, Fethiye (Turkey), and Kusadasi (Turkey). May 24, July 12, August 16, September 27, and November 1. Rates: From 3,093€ to 3,566€ ($4,275-$4,929). Seven-day cruise from Istanbul to Athens calls at Kusadasi (Turkey), Bodrum (Turkey), Santorini, Aghios Nikolaos, and Nafplion. October 4. Rates: From 3,326€ ($4,598). Seven-day Istanbul-to-Alexandria cruise calls at Athens, Nafplion, Aghios Nikolaos, and Rhodes. November 8. Rates: From 3,093€ ($4,275).

Sea Cloud Cruises

32-40 North Dean St., Englewood, NJ 07631 tel. 888/732-2568. www.seacloud.com.

The flagship vessel Sea Cloud (built in 1931, 64 passengers; 2,532 GRTs) was built for heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, who was involved in the design and construction of the sailing ship, planning the layout of the vessel right down to where the antiques would be placed. At the time it was the largest sailing yacht to be built. The Sea Cloud also served as a military support ship during World War II, was briefly owned by Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo, and sat tied up in Colon for 8 years before it was bought by a Hamburg-based group in the late 1970s and given a new, luxurious lease on life.

Guests can still see the care that Post originally put into the ship: Fireplaces in the cabins, antiques, marble, and shining wood. In the owner's suite, guests sleep in a Louis XIV-style bed next to a decorative marble fireplace; the bathroom alone is 9 sq. m (97 sq. ft.). The Category 5 cabins, on the other hand, are upper-and-lower berths, but Sea Cloud points out that since the cabins open to the promenade deck guests can sleep with the doors open to let in the sea air. Sailing buffs will be happy to gaze up at the 3,973 sq. m (32,000 sq. ft.) of sail -- it has 36 separate sails, from the flying jib to the mizzen royal to the jigger gaff.

Sea Cloud is often chartered out by tour operators, who set their own itineraries for the ship; contact Sea Cloud for information on possible 2008 Greece cruises through tour operators.

Itineraries & Rates -- Sea Cloud -- Seven-day Athens-to-Istanbul cruise visits Skyros, Skiathos, Volos, and Canakkale (Turkey). July 15. Rates: From 3,015€ ($4,160). Seven-day Athens round-trip calls in Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Naxos, Milos, and Syros. August 3. Rates: From 3,015€ ($4,160).

SeaDream Yacht Club

2601 S. Bayshore Dr., Penthouse 1B, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. tel. 800/707-4911 www.seadreamyachtclub.com.

The owner and the operator of SeaDream Yacht Club both have luxury-line pedigrees: Seabourn Cruise Line founder Atle Brynestad and former Seabourn president Larry Pimentel. For the past 7 years, the two have been carrying on the Seabourn tradition of luxury and elegance, albeit on a smaller, more casual yachtlike scale. SeaDream in 2001 purchased the Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II from Seabourn, and after renovations renamed them SeaDream I and SeaDream II (built in 1984; 116 passengers; 4,260 GRTs).

The company defines itself not as a cruise line but an ultra-luxury yacht company whose vessels journey to smaller, less-charted destinations. Guests are offered an unstructured, casually elegant vacation (no formal nights) with no shortage of diversions. Toys carried aboard include jet skis and mountain bikes. You can choose to dine outdoors or indoors; there are enough tables to accommodate all the passengers in one outdoor lunch seating. None of the cabins have private balconies, but the line often urges guests to treat the teak decks as one large veranda where you can sprawl on bed-size Balinese loungers and congregate for a drink at the Top of the Yacht Bar -- SeaDream has an open bar policy.

Itineraries & Rates -- SeaDream I -- Seven-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise calls at Mitilini, Molivos, Pythagoria, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Santorini, Naousa, and Mykonos. June 14. Rates: From 3,979€ ($5,499). Seven-day Athens-to-Venice cruise calls at Hydra, Corinth Canal, Itea, Fiskardo, Corfu, Dubrovnik (Croatia), and Hvar (Croatia). June 21. Rates: From 3,399€ ($4,699). Seven-day Venice-to-Athens cruise calls at Hvar (Croatia), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Itea, Corinth Canal, Naousa, Mykonos, and Santorini. July 26. Rates: From 3,472€ ($4,799). Seven-day Athens-to-Istanbul cruise calls at Hydra, Santorini, Mykonos, Volos, Skiathos, and Mitilini. August 16. Rates: From 3,328€ ($4,599). Seven-day Istanbul-to-Athens calls at Mitilini, Molivos, Samos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Santorini, Naousa, and Mykonos. August 30. Rates: From 3,328€ ($4,599). Seven-day Athens-to-Civitavecchia cruise calls at Hydra, Corinth Canal, Itea, Fiskardo, Taormina (Italy), Sorrento (Italy), and Capri (Italy). September 6. Rates: Start at 3,328€ ($4,599). Port charges are not included in these rates.

SeaDream II -- Seven-day Athens-to-Dubrovnik cruise calls at Mykonos, Santorini, Hydra, Corinth Canal, Zakynthos, Corfu, and Korcula (Croatia). June 14. Rates: From 3,472€ ($4,799). Seven-day Venice-to-Athens cruise calls at Hvar (Croatia), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Itea, Corinth Canal, Naousa, Mykonos, and Santorini. August 30 and September 13. Rates: From 3,399€ ($4,699) to 3,472€ ($4,799). Seven-day Athens-to-Venice cruise calls at Hydra, Corinth Canal, Itea, Fiskardo, Corfu, Dubrovnik (Croatia), and Hvar (Croatia). September 6. Rates: From 3,328€ ($4,599). Port charges are not included in these rates.

Silversea Cruises

110 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. tel. 800/722-9055. www.silversea.com.

The luxurious sister ships Silver Cloud and Silver Wind (built in 1994 and 1995; 296 passengers; 16,800 GRTs), Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper (built in 2000 and 2001; 382 passengers; 28,258 GRTs), carry their guests in splendor and elegance. Passengers are generally experienced cruisers, and are well traveled.

On Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, accommodations are outside suites with writing tables, sofas, walk-in closets, marble bathrooms, and all the amenities you'd expect of a top-of-the-line ship. Throughout, both vessels allot more space to each passenger than most other ships. There's also more crew, with the large staff at your service, ready to cater to your every desire on a 24-hour basis.

The newer Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper carry on the fine tradition in a slightly larger format. The all-suite vessels also feature verandas, poolside dining venues, a larger spa facility, a cigar lounge, and other niceties.

The ships offer five-star cuisine; guests can dine when, where, and with whom they choose. In the evening, the elegant buffet restaurant is open for a single-seating dinner on most nights.

The rates listed for Silversea are regular brochure prices, but the line offers a Silver Sailings saving program on some of its cruises that can result in up to 50% off cruise-only fares; the program is based on availability and time of booking. Port charges are not included in the rates listed.

Itineraries & Rates -- Silver Cloud -- Seven-day Athens-to-Istanbul voyage calls at Nafplion, Santorini, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Turkey), Mykonos, and overnights in Istanbul. April 10. Rates: From 3,396€ ($4,695). Seven-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise overnights in Istanbul and calls at Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini. October 6. Rates: From 3,903€ ($5,395).

Silver Wind -- Nine-day Athens-to-Civitavecchia cruise calls at Mykonos, Rhodes, Iraklion, Katakolon, Itea, Corfu, and Sorrento (Italy). October 17. Rates: From 5,060€ ($6,995) per person.

Silver Whisper -- Twelve-day Athens-to-Civitavecchia cruise overnights in Istanbul (Turkey) and calls at Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Mykonos, Santorini, Valletta (Malta), Taormina (Italy), and Sorrento (Italy). May 5. Rates: From 7,014€ ($9,695). Seven-day Civitavecchia-to-Athens cruise calls at Sorrento (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Kythira, and Mykonos. June 28. Rates: From 4,409€ ($6,095). Seven-day Civitavecchia-to-Athens cruise calls at Sorrento (Italy), Siracusa (Italy), Aghios Nikolaos, Rhodes, Tinos, and Mykonos. August 23. Rates: From 4,699€ ($6,495). Seven-day Istanbul-to-Athens cruise calls at Iraklion, Nafplion, Volos, Patmos, and Mykonos. September 21. Rates: From 4,337€ ($5,995).

Star Clippers

7200 NW 19th St., Suite 206, Miami, FL 33126. tel. 800/442-0550. www.starclippers.com.

Star Clipper (built in 1991; 170 passengers; 2,298 GRTs), is the name of the vessel this three-ship line, named Star Clippers, is sending to Greece in 2008. It is a replica of the big 19th-century clipper sailing ships (or barkentines) that once circled the globe. Its tall square rigs carry enormous sails, are glorious to look at, and are a particular thrill for history buffs.

And on this ship, the 36,000 square feet of billowing sails are more than window dressing. The Star Clipper was constructed using original drawings and specifications of a leading 19th-century naval architect, but updated with modern touches so that today it is among the tallest (226 ft.) and fastest clipper ships built.

The atmosphere onboard is akin to being on a private yacht rather than a mainstream cruise ship. It's active and casual in an L.L. Bean sort of way, and friendly.

Cabins are decorated with wood accents; the top categories have doors that open up directly onto the deck. There is one owner's suite. The public rooms include a writing room, an open-seating dining room, and an Edwardian-style library with a Belle Epoque fireplace and bookshelf-lined walls. There are two small swimming pools.

Local entertainment is sometimes brought aboard. Other activities on the ship tend toward the nautical, such as visiting the bridge, observing the crew handle the sails, and participating in knot-tying classes. Or just padding around the decks and lying in a deck chair underneath the sails. When seas are calm you can lie in the rigging.

Itineraries & Rates -- Star Clipper -- Seven-day round-trip Athens cruise to the Northern Cyclades calls at Kusadasi (Turkey), Pythagoria, Patmos, Delos, Mykonos, and Sifnos. Alternating most Saturdays, May 24 through September 27. Rates: From 1,334€ ($1,820). Seven-day round-trip Athens-to-the Southern Cyclades cruise calls at Rhodes, Bodrum (Turkey), Dalyan River (Turkey), Santorini, and Hydra. Alternating most Saturdays, May 17 through October 4. Rates: From 1,334€ ($1,820). Five-day Athens round-trip voyage calls at Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Bodrum (Turkey), and Sifnos. May 12 and October 11. Rates: From 858€ ($1,170) per person.

Travel Dynamics International

132 E. 70th St., New York, NY 10021. tel. 800/257-5767. www.traveldynamicsinternational.com.

This operator of small ships offers a number of interesting itineraries that include Greek ports, and no wonder: The co-founders of Travel Dynamics are two Greek brothers from the island of Rhodes. The journeys are tailored to be unique, visiting some of the smaller and lesser-known ports. Top-notch onboard educational programs complement the itineraries, and shore excursions are included in the cruise price. This line won't attract the budget-minded passenger or the folks who want to laze around. Itineraries are fast-paced and educational. Each day has several components: a museum in the morning and an archaeological site in the afternoon, for example. The company's itineraries often include references to the nearby sites (Iraklion for Knossos or Gortyn, for example).

Callisto (rebuilt in 2000; 34 passengers; 499 GRTs) is a cozy little yacht. All the cabins have picture windows or portholes. There's a lot of blue-and-white in the design, but it's all very tasteful. The blue-and-white striped cushions on the deck chairs match the Greek flag flying from the ship.

The larger Corinthian II (built in 1992; 114 passengers; 4,200 GRTs) is the newest addition to Travel Dynamics' fleet. Luxe touches include marble bathrooms, minifridges, and private balconies. An outdoor bar and cafe accommodates alfresco diners. The ship also has a gym, salon, sun deck with hot tub, and Internet cafe.

The line has several Eastern European itineraries that include ample time in Turkey and Italy as well as Greece.

Itineraries & Rates -- Corinthian II -- Ten-day Athens-to-Civitavecchia cruise overnights in Athens and calls at Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Lindos, Santorini, Rethymnon, Gytheion, Katakolon, Taormina (Italy), and Sorrento (Italy). June 29 and July 9. Rates: From 4,336€ ($5,995). Note: This cruise is billed as a "family learning adventure"; kids' rates start at 3,106€ ($4,295). Nine-day Athens round-trip cruise calls at Iraklion, Rhodes, Patmos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Kavalla, Thessaloniki, and overnights in Athens. July 19. Rates: From 4,697€ ($6,495).

Windstar Cruises

2101 Fourth Ave., Suite 1150, Seattle, WA 98121. tel. 87-STAR-SAIL. www.windstarcruises.com.

Although they look like sailing ships of yore, Wind Star and Wind Spirit (built in 1986 and 1988; 144 passengers; 5,350 GRTs) and their bigger sister Wind Surf (built in 1990; 312 passengers; 14,745 GRTs) are more like floating luxury hotels with the flair of sailing ships. These vessels feature top-notch service and cuisine. Million-dollar computers operate the sails, and stabilizers allow for a smooth ride.

Windstar deploys its two smaller vessels, Wind Spirit and Wind Star, in the Greek islands. Casual, low-key elegance is the watchword. There's no set regime and no dress code above "resort casual." Most of the passengers are well-heeled; the ships appeal to all ages except children. (There are no dedicated kids' facilities onboard the ships.)

None of the roomy outside cabins has balconies, but they do have large portholes. The top-level owner's cabins are slightly bigger. Refurbishments completed a few years ago added flatscreen TVs and DVD players; new mattresses, bedding, carpet, and curtains to the cabins; an expanded gym; and an updated spa.

A watersports platform at the stern allows for a variety of activities when the ships are docked. Entertainment is low-key and sometimes includes local entertainers brought aboard at ports of call. Most of the onboard time revolves around the sun deck, plunge pool, and outdoor bar. The ships also have small casinos.

In 2007 the Windstar ships were sold to Ambassadors International, a California-based company that owns several U.S. river cruising brands.

Itineraries & Rates -- Wind Spirit -- Seven-day Civitavecchia-to-Athens cruise calls at Capri (Italy), Messina (Italy), Gythion, Nafplion, and Ermoupolis. May 10. Operates in the reverse order October 18. Rates: Start at 1,880€ ($2,599). Seven-day Athens-to-Istanbul cruise calls at Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum (Turkey), and Kusadasi (Turkey). Sundays between May 17 and October 11. Cruises run in the reverse order on alternating weeks. Rates: From 2,314€ ($3,199) to 2,458€ ($3,399). The prices listed do not include port charges.

Wind Star -- Seven-day Athens-to-Istanbul cruise calls at Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum (Turkey), and Kusadasi (Italy). Saturdays between May 24 through October 18, except for July 19, July 26, August 2, and August 9. Cruises run in the reverse order on alternating weeks. Rates: From 2,314€ ($3,199) to 2,458€ ($3,399). Seven-day Athens-to-Civitavecchia cruise calls at Ermoupolis, Nafplion, Gythion, Messina (Italy), and Capri (Italy) October 25. Rates: From 1,880€ ($2,599). These prices do not include port charges.

Variety Cruises

2 Papada Street, Athens, Greece. tel. 210/691-9191. www.varietycruises.com.

These Greek-flagged and -operated yachts might be just the ticket if you're looking for a casual, intimate experience with a more international flavor. Formerly known as Zeus Tours, the cruise portion of the company has been around since the mid-1960s when it chartered the yacht Eleftherios; it began scheduled weekly cruise service in 1973. Today, it divides its ships into three divisions. The more upmarket Variety Cruises division emphasizes a blend of cruising and yachting, relaxing, and exploring Greece's historical treasures. Ships in this fleet include the yachts Harmony G (built in 2003; 46 passengers; 490 GRTs) and Harmony V (built in 1985; 50 passengers; 495 GRTs), which underwent a major refurbishment in 2007. The Zeus Casual Cruises skews a little more in the sun-[?]n-fun direction, with beach barbecues and free drinks during the day; this fleet counts the motor sailboats Viking Star (built in 1991; 50 passengers; 248 GRTs) and H&B I and H&B II (built in 2001-02; 42 passengers; 390 GRTs) and yacht Zeus II (built in 1982; 38 passengers; 204 GRTs). The third division is Variety Yachts, which operates vessels for charter that sleep 8 to 12 guests.

These lines don't promote an ultra-luxury experience; the word on all these small ships is casual. There are sun decks but no pools except for the surrounding Mediterranean: passengers can swim right off the side of the ships during swim stops. On the Variety Cruises ships the price includes only two meals a day, breakfast, and then either lunch or dinner, depending on the itinerary, which gives guests the chance to eat and drink in port (local wine and refreshments are included with meals onboard). Zeus Casual Cruises, meanwhile, includes three meals a day and local wine, beer, and soft drinks between 11am and 11pm. On both lines there's no organized onboard entertainment per se, except for chatting with other guests in the saloon or while catching rays up on deck. And with only a couple dozen other guests with you, you'll probably get to know everyone within a day. Open-seating dinner helps with the mingling.

The cuisine is international and Mediterranean. Zeus Casual itineraries offer a "famous" Greek night, with themed food and music; their brochures also promise that the crew will help with the basics of Greek conversation and dancing.

Itineraries & Rates -- Harmony G and Harmony V -- Seven-day Athens round-trip cruises call in Kea, Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Iraklion, Rethymnon, Monemvassia, Nafplion, and Spetses. Fridays from April 25 through October 31. Also allows embarkations for 7-day round-trips in Iraklion on Mondays and Rethymnon on Tuesdays. Rates: From 1,495€ ($2,040). (20% off the cruise-only portion of the fare on Apr 25 and Oct 31 cruises.)

H&B I and H&B II -- Seven-day Athens round-trip cruises call in Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos, Syros, Kea, Sounion, and an overnight in Athens. Fridays from April 4 through October 31. Rates: From 902€ ($1,230). (10% off the cruise-only portion of the fare on Apr 4, 11, and 18, and Oct 24 and 31 cruises.)

Zeus II -- Seven-day round-trip Corfu cruise calls at Sivota, Paxi, Antipaxi, Lefkas, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos, and Parga. Saturdays between May 10 and October 11. Also allows embarkations for 7-day round-trips from Zakynthos on Thursdays. Rates: From 880€ ($1,200). (10% off the cruise-only portion of the fare on May 10, May 17, Oct 4, and Oct 11 cruises.)

Viking Star -- Seven-day Rhodes round-trip cruise calls at Nissiros, Kalymnos, Kos, Halki, Symi, and Lindos. Thursdays between May 8 and October 23. Also allows embarkations for 7-day round-trips from Lindos on Wednesdays. Rates: From 880€ ($1,200). (10% off the cruise-only portion of the fare on May 8, May 15, Oct 16, and Oct 23 cruises.)