CROATIAN ISLAND CRUISES

On any of your Croatian island cruises it will be a good investment, if you can call it that. First of all, they are small cruises (boutique cruises) for a maximum of 40 people. You can choose between a standard or a luxury category. In general, it’s like staying in a floating hotel. You have two meals per day included, your own cabin with a private bathroom, and every day the meals are served on board. The cruise is very comfortable, you don’t have to change hotels, you don’t need transfers, there is a pre-arranged program (guided tours, excursions, etc.) and you also have free time to enjoy the beaches and the cities. You see a lot in a week because almost every day you visit a different island or a different city.

Less common routes:

• departure from Dubrovnik, via Split and return to Dubrovnik

• departing from Opatija and ending in Dubrovnik

• departure from Dubrovnik and end in Opatija

*Prices for Croatian island cruises depend on season, ship category, and deck (below deck, main deck). The categorization of the vessel and type/level of services depend on each shipping provider.

SHIP CATEGORIES:

Standard category ships

Some vessel owners divide the standard category into two – standard and premium standard, similar to when airlines have economy and premium economy seats.

Check the pictures to get a better idea.

Standard category:

Basic ships, with a traditional but modern look, offer accommodation in air-conditioned, ensuite cabins with double or twin beds, hairdryer, and safe. This ship is recommended for a traveler who is looking for a basic service with simple accommodation but will see the highlights of the islands. Comparable to a basic 3* hotel.

Generally included in the price: Buffet breakfast, three-course lunches, Captain’s dinner, English-speaking coordinator on board, one guided tour (in English), daily cabin service, fresh towels and linen mid-week, luggage handling, olive oil/wine tasting on board, complimentary water, afternoon tea, and coffee. Free Wi-Fi.

Premium standard:

Ships, still of the standard category, but at a higher level. Similar to a 3* superior hotel. With cabins and an air-conditioned saloon, a cozy sitting area, and more modern cabins with double or twin beds, a hairdryer, and a safe.

Generally included in the price: Buffet breakfasts, three-course lunches, Captain’s dinner, English-speaking coordinator on board, three guided tours (in English), daily cabin service, fresh towels and linen mid-week, luggage handling, olive oil and/or wine tasting on board, complimentary water, afternoon tea, and coffee. Free Wi-Fi.

Luxury category ship

Some cruise providers divide the luxury category into two – luxury and premium luxury. In general, the differences in the ships are not so noticeable. Premium luxury are some newer cruise ships and may offer cabins with private balconies. The premium ones also serve food made with higher-quality ingredients. In conclusion, luxury cruises can be compared to 4* / 4* superior hotels, and premium luxury cruises are compared to 5* hotels.

Description: Modern ships compared to 4* / 5* floating boutique mini-hotels. Built with high-quality materials, such as solid wood, glass, marble, and modern design furniture. With a spacious sundeck including a Jacuzzi, a beautiful lounge area, and sun loungers to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Adriatic. The luxury ships feature spacious air-conditioned cabins with double or twin beds, a safety deposit box, LCD TV, toiletries in the bathroom, a    hairdryer, and wardrobes.

Generally included in the price: Airport/hotel transfers (arrival and departure day), buffet breakfast and three-course lunches with salad bar, drink with lunch, captain’s dinner with live entertainment, guided tours as per program (in English), director/organizer of the route/activities on the ship, various entrance fees, various tastings and/or excursions, tourist tax and port taxes, luggage handling, daily cabin service, complimentary water, tea and coffee throughout the day, olive oil and wine tasting on board, free Wi-Fi.

Luxury

Premium luxury 

Here you can see an example of the route – one of the most popular routes.

Generally speaking, the places visited on the routes are more or less the same. You can see one island in one program, and in another, the same island can be substituted by another island. Or simply, the order of the places in a route can be different.

As soon as you contact us with a date you wish to travel, we will send you an offer with the exact price, and the route and let you know exactly what you have included. We check with different vessel providers to see what is available on your asking date.

Day 1: SPLIT
Transfer from Split airport to Split harbor for check-in from 14.00h onwards. After settling in, enjoy a guided tour of Split, a historic city protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, with a wealth of Roman architecture. Of special interest is the magnificent Diocletian’s Palace, which was the home of the Roman Emperor. After the visit, return to the ship for a welcome cocktail on board. Overnight in Split.

Day 2: SPLIT – (BOL) HVAR
Morning departure to the Island of Brač, where your swimming time is planned at the most famous beach in Dalmatia: Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn), near Bol. Its pebble promontory shifts from one side to the other as the wind and waves constantly change the shape of the beach. Bol is a typical fishing village that has become a popular tourist destination and has retained its charm.

Later continue to the Island of Hvar, with lunch on board on the route to Pakleni Islands. Hvar is the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic, known for its lush lavender fields and breathtaking beauty. Arrival in the afternoon is followed by a guided tour of the town’s historical monuments: the Renaissance Cathedral with its original tower and the oldest community theatre in Europe, founded in 1612. Walk up the zigzag path to the town’s fortress overlooking the harbor for beautiful views of the Pakleni Islands. In the evening, Hvar offers a wide variety of entertainment: numerous restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, many of which are open late into the night. Spend the evening in Hvar.

Day 3: HVAR – BIŠEVO (Blue Cave) / VIS 
Early in the morning, your Croatian island cruise continues to the small island of Biševo to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon (entrance fee is paid on the spot – approx. 15 EUR). As sometimes weather conditions can be very unpredictable, the possibility to visit the cave will depend on those conditions, however, you will be notified in time.

Continue to the Island of Vis, once a strategic Yugoslav naval base closed to the public for years. Because of this isolation, Vis retains a special charm – “the Mediterranean as it used to be”- making it a truly interesting visit. Situated on the island’s northern side, Vis has developed near the remains of ancient Issa, Croatia’s first urban center. If you are interested, visit the remains of the Roman Thermal Square, and the City Museum or just take a stroll enjoying the sights of the beautiful Villae Rusticae along the seafront. Overnight in Vis harbor.

Day 4: VIS – KORČULA  
Early morning departure to the Island of Korčula, best known as the birthplace of Marco Polo. A stop for lunch is planned in one of the secluded bays on the route. Arrival in Korčula in the afternoon, followed by a guided walking tour of this charming town surrounded by walls and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean. The herringbone street pattern was used in the design of Korčula’s old town to provide a natural cooling effect to offer citizens sheltered and comfortable accommodations. Optional excursion to a small village near Korčula to enjoy a typical Dalmatian dinner and learn more about the history and traditional way of life. Overnight in Korčula.

Day 5: KORČULA – MLJET 
The next morning, head further south to the Island of Mljet. Legend has it that the Greek hero Odysseus spent years on this island when he was captured by the nymph Calypso. Accompany the cruise director for a walk around the famous salt lakes of the Mljet National Park and enjoy the boat ride to the Island of St. Mary to visit an ancient Benedictine Monastery, an old abbey, and a church dating back to the 12th century. You can also rent kayaks, bicycles, scooters, or convertible cars to explore the national park or the island on your own. Overnight in the harbor.

Day 6: MLJET – SLANO (STON) 
Depart for the small village of Slano on the mainland, a quiet fishing village and departure point for Ston, another small, once fortified village, famous for its oysters. After exploring the vast medieval city walls, we will head to a small village near Mali Ston to learn more about oysters and a special oyster tasting. Transfer back to the ship for the captain’s dinner with live entertainment.

Day 7: SLANO (STON) – DUBROVNIK 
Early morning departure to Dubrovnik, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. Before docking at the port of Gruž, enjoy the cruise along the ancient walls of Dubrovnik while lunch is served on board. After docking, transfer to the Old Town for a guided walking tour of this magical city. Take the cable car from the Old Town to Srđ Mountain for panoramic views of the city walls and the Elafiti Islands. Stroll through the narrow streets, exploring the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, or walk along the top of the 1940 m long city walls. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 8: DUBROVNIK
After breakfast disembark in Dubrovnik. End of the cruise.

and we can adapt this route for a great two-week holiday.