Greek Island Cruise; Luxury Travel on a small yacht

If you enjoy small ship cruising, this Greek Island cruise, luxury travel on a small yacht is for you. On this 10 passenger private yacht, you’ll have an experienced captain, personal chef, hostess, housekeeper and 2 deck hands spoil you for 7 days and 7 dreamy nights in Greece.

Two-story blue and white yacht with Gemaya lettering. Two men stand on back of boat desk. A woman sits on a SUP paddleboard, attached behind the boat in the Aegean Sea. Blue sky, blue water.

Saronic Island sailing in Greece

A former Scandinavian ice breaker ship, this 5 cabin floating hotel brings small yacht cruising to the Greek Islands. Gemaya glides its way from nearby Athens, Greece to several Saronic Islands on the emerald blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

Unlike a luxury French barge cruise, with daily planned excursions, this Greek Island cruise is for the independent traveler and several close friends or family. Unless you charter the entire boat, this yacht is not designed for young children or anyone under sixteen years of age.

Pink bougainivillea growing on a tree. White-washed Greek building with blue door and window are beyond. A calico stray cat steps into the sidewalk from a path in Poros, Greece.

What to Expect on a multi-day Greek Island Cruise

Built in Sweden in 1957 and rebuilt into a yacht in 2007, Gemaya was converted from an ice breaker to a small Greek yacht, measuring 33 meters long. With plush white carpeting, an on deck hot tub, and even a spotting scope, this indoor/outdoor living space aimed to please.

Our Greek captain formerly piloted large cruise ships. Now he prefers intimate sailings on the Aegean Sea and Argosaronic Gulf waters. The multi-story yacht included 2 lounge levels – ideal for watching the Greek scenery pass by. The wheelhouse was open to guests, as was the hot tub on deck.

Staterooms accommodated a double bed, while several cabins offered 1 and 2 bed configurations. Our room, Luna, offered 2 porthole windows in the cabin. A small closet held 2 guest robes and slippers, while locking drawers kept clothes and swimwear organized. A ceramic tiled bathroom included another porthole window and shower stall with good water pressure. All rooms included air conditioning, flatscreen tv, a safe, hair dryer and complimentary WiFi.

International crew and knowledgeable sailors

Our crew members hailed from Egypt, Greece and Ukraine on this sailing. All were professional and courteous.

“I grew up on boats,” said Mostafa Trabeh. “It’s what I know best.”

Certainly he knew his way around the yacht, how to pilot the smaller boat and how to make the guests feel confident transferring from yacht to shore. He also knew how to safely send guests over the waves behind the small motor boat while water skiing or being pulled in the inner tube. Such fun!

Daily Greek Island exploration

Like most luxury travel on a small yacht, this Greek Island cruise had a suggested itinerary. My favorite thing about small ship sailing was the captain’s ability to pivot, adapting to weather or crowds.

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Typical Greek Saronic Island itinerary

Athens, Hydra, Spetses, Nafplio, Porto Cheli, Poros and Epidaurus were our projected targets for Greek island exploration. Our October sailing to Epidaurus held the promise of high wind and rain. Our capable captain pivoted and sailed us to the sun-drenched Aegina Island for the day.

Another yacht highlight was setting anchor next to the Temple of Poseidon. We awoke to the landmark in the distance and were able to visit the Greek ruins at sunset.

Chocolate torte in pastry shell, topped with blackberry coulis and mint sprig on white pottery plate.

Yacht Dining

Half board (breakfast and lunch on board, dinners on your own) provided for adequate Greek Island exploring. Our first night onboard included a welcome dinner and sparkling wine – your experience may vary. An open bar was included, as well. My husband loved his daily espresso, while I opted for tea (hot or iced) and decadent Greek hot chocolate.

Dietary options are noted before setting sail. We did have a vegetarian guest onboard and she felt well accommodated with all food selections.

Poseidon temple with 9 Greek columns. Blue sky with fluffy white clouds in Greece in late afternoon.

Recreational amenities

Each day on the small yacht held an opportunity for a special swim spot. Reluctant swimmers had float noodles and life jackets to borrow, as well as masks and fins. There were also SUP boards available.

In addition to the hot tub, the yacht featured a splash deck and swim platform with ladder. We had a small boat towed behind the Gemaya yacht. This boat allowed for tender transfer to special beaches, as well as water skiing and wakeboarding opportunities. The grin my husband captured on my face was ear-to-ear as I bounced behind the jet boat on a rubber inner tub. Adults channeled their inner child on this Greek Island cruise.

Eight sailboats are tied up at Poros harbor in Greece. Terraced white and cream colored Greek houses line the pine tree-covered hillside.

Yacht transportation details

My husband and I flew to Athens International Airport one day prior to our Greek Island Cruise. We stayed overnight at Holiday Inn Athens Airport hotel. After departing from the yacht, we picked up a rental car at the airport and extended our Greek vacation to Pylos, Greece for a few days.

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Upon return to Athens, we stayed at InterContinental Athenaeum Athens. Our room had a view of the Acropolis. Luxury travel on a Greek island cruise lived up to our expectations.

Greek Island Cruise: Luxury Travel on a small yacht review, and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. Note: thank you to Elixir Boutique Cruises for their hospitality. All views above are, as always, my own.