Athens-based Elixir Cruises is a new addition to the industry, having purchased Celebrity Cruises’ small ship Xperience in November 2020, which has sailed year-round in the Galapagos Islands.
The 50-passenger ship, now renamed Elysium, will sail around the Greek islands between June 26 and the end of October 2021. The deployment after October is on the planning board. An announcement is expected in June.
“President and CEO Ioannis Termidos had the idea that there was a place in the small cruise world for something that was completely different, something that did exactly what it said it was,” said Ian Buckeridge, Head of Commercial at Elixir.
Buckeridge said Termidos was looking for “a ship of the right size.”
“And if it hadn’t come when it did, the operation might not have started for another year while the search for the right ship continued,” he said.
Elixir Cruises is currently offering two eight-day cruises aboard its first ship: Ancient Paths and Divine Cyclades. The former explores Zakynthos, Ithaca and the Corinth Canal. The latter visits 14 destinations, including Santorini and Mykonos.
One of the selling points of the trips is the beauty of the Santorini sunsets that guests of the Divine Cyclades can experience.
“A sunrise on Santorini first thing in the morning, perfect. We can then watch people depart (from larger cruise lines) and see the windmills as the sun begins to fade. And we will anchor right across from the windmills for you to experience that beautiful sunset. Guests can go ashore and explore the island, as well as have dinner and party ashore. We will be handcuffed so you can stumble back if you want – any time of the day or night, ”said Buckeridge.
“We’re there to enjoy the sunset in one of the greatest places in the world, to see it,” he added.
