Travel writer Jo Kessel filmed her seven-day cruise around the Seychelles, starting and ending on Mahe, the archipelago’s largest island, on Variety Cruises’ Greek ship Pegasos. The pictures show how, despite the ship’s small size, there is a sun deck, outdoor dining terrace and spacious cabins. She visits the beach location for the Tom Hanks film Castaway and talks about the chef’s Creole cuisine, Seychellois rum and the Carana Beach Hotel on the island of Mahe – perfect for a pre- or post-cruise stay.
The Seychelles are a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, 2200 kilometers east of Tanzania. The country has a solid reputation as a luxury destination, with the most exclusive hotels charging around £2,000 per room per night. But there’s a cheaper — and arguably better — way to explore some of the country’s 115 islands… and that’s by boat.
Board the Greek cruise line Variety Cruises, which specializes in yacht cruises. The yacht Pegasos has been sailing week-long voyages around the Seychelles for the past ten years and with full-board prices starting at £1,900 pp, I hopped on board with my camera to try a little cruise.
The Pegasos is the smallest vessel I have ever sailed on, with 21 cabins for 44 passengers.
My shots begin on the upper deck before we embark on a tour of the entire ship, from the sun deck with sun loungers to the surprisingly spacious cabins.
Jo Kessel (pictured) boards Variety Cruises’ Greek ship Pegasos for a tour of the Seychelles Islands
There are 21 cabins on board that can accommodate 44 passengers. Above is Jo’s “surprisingly spacious” cabin
Jo’s video takes a look inside the breakfast room, bar and lounge (above)
Then there is the indoor breakfast room, bar and lounge, which opens onto an outdoor terrace. Here we occasionally see dolphins and sea turtles while we feast on food prepared with love – more on that later.
A cruise on a small ship is nothing more than an ordinary voyage. The captain mingles with the guests during meals and even invites them on the bridge to help steer the ship.
Is it scary to stand at the wheel and hold the wheel while the ship goes to land? Yes. do it again Absolutely!
The cruise visits a dozen of the archipelago’s 115 islands, of which only four are inhabited.
Most of the islands are too small for the ship to dock, and the video shows guests being brought ashore in inflatable Zodiac boats.
Pictured is the outdoor patio where Jo “occasionally spies dolphins and sea turtles” while eating
The captain invites guests on the bridge to help steer the ship, Jo reveals
The name Variety Cruises is apt because “variety” is what the itinerary offers, all captured on camera.
First stop is Curieuse Island where we will be greeted by giant tortoises. Considering the bulky shells they carry – they weigh around 300 kilos – they are actually quite fast! These prehistoric reptiles are not only the highlight of the day, but of the week.
We visit Cousin Island Bird Sanctuary, where White Starlings lay their eggs on branches rather than in nests, one of only two seabirds to do so.
“Considering the bulky shells they carry – they weigh around 700 pounds – they’re actually pretty fast,” Jo says of Curieuse Island’s turtles
Pictured above is a young white starling at Cousin Island Bird Sanctuary – one of the stops on the week-long cruise
Next – beaches. Anse Lazio (“Anse” means beach in Creole) has been named one of the ten best beaches in the world; The Tom Hanks film Castaway was filmed at Anse Source D’Argent. We even enjoy a high-speed beach landing and tumble onto the sand James Bond style.
Other highlights include snorkeling alongside hawksbill turtles and cycling around the Seychelles’ fourth largest island, La Digue.
Then there is the visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Vallee de Mai.
It is on the island of Praslin and home to palm trees whose fruit is the coco de mer, the largest seed in the world. It is nicknamed “Love Nut” because it is shaped like the human butt!
Snorkeling with hawksbill turtles (above) is a highlight of the tour
Anse Source D’Argent (pictured) is where Tom Hanks’ film Castaway was filmed, Jo reveals
Jo walks along Anse Lazio, a sandy beach that has been named one of the top ten beaches in the world
Jo explores La Digue, the fourth largest island in the Seychelles, by bike
They are very heavy at about 25 pounds and in the film I struggle to hold one.
The crew treats everyone like family and footage shows guests being welcomed back on board with fanfare and treated to local rum.
The coconut one glides down nicely, but the one made from the native Takamaka tree sets mouths on fire! The ship’s galley seems to be the perfect antidote.
Jo has a coco de mer, the largest seed in the world. “At about 25 pounds, they’re extremely heavy,” she reveals
The rum, made from the native Takamaka tree, “sets your mouth on fire,” reveals Jo
Many lunches are a smorgasbord of BBQ grills with Mediterranean salads.
Dinner is more formal, waiter-served meals, but one night there’s a Creole buffet with aubergine rolls, Seychelles chicken curry and a tasty whole-boiled catfish.
A trio of dancers then come on board to perform the indigenous “Moutya” dance.
We encourage you to try it yourself – it takes a lot to swing the booty. Watch the movie to see if we’re good!
Jo says it’s worth staying close to Victoria on Mahe Island before or after the cruise (pictured)
Pictured is the “divine” infinity pool at the Carana Beach Hotel. “The whole property and gardens look and feel like the hotel of dreams,” says Jo
The Seychelles are a diverse nation. Originally uninhabited, the Africans eventually arrived, followed by the French and then the British.
Today it is in the Commonwealth and the country’s capital, Victoria on the island of Mahé (Victoria is the smallest capital in the world), even has a Big Ben! Worth staying here before or after the cruise.
Victoria has a bustling market and nearby hiking trails – the Copolia trail (seen in the video) offers great views of the archipelago from above.
Also featured in the video is the boutique hotel Carana Beach Hotel, just 15 minutes from the capital. Instead of rooms, it has cabanas and ocean views throughout, including the divine infinity pool.
The entire property and gardens look and feel like the hotel of dreams.
With the Pegasos, the journey lacks the feel of a traditional cruise with so few other passengers on board. Instead, it’s more like chartering your own exclusive private yacht, making it the bargain of the century.
With so few other passengers on board, a cruise on the Pegasos “doesn’t have the feel of a traditional cruise.”
A trip on the Pegasos “feels like chartering your own exclusive private yacht,” reveals Jo. Upstairs is the living area
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
