Last week’s blog focused on the history, culture and highlights of a 15-day trip that Bob and I spent checking out Montenegro and Croatia. Our journey was intended to assess properties and boats, transfers and tours and meet our Croatian in-country team, Adriatic Travel Collection, who had assisted us with other client trips. There is nothing quite like seeing it for ourselves and “testing the waters”.
Croatia has 1880 kilometers (1100 miles) of coastline and 78 islands, of which 49 are inhabited, leading to the conclusion that cruising is the best way to see stunning Croatia, with additional land-based tours in Dubrovnik and Split to truly immerse in the Croatian way of life, experience the culture and history from a country at the crossroads of southeastern Europe.
The country boasts the largest fleet of mini-cruisers and Gulet boats in the world. The sheer magnitude of the boats is mind boggling, with offerings of private group or individual (couple) cruises, small passenger shared cruises and of course the super-sized cruise ships. Mini-cruisers are modern, deluxe 30-40 passenger vessels and Gulets are traditional wooden sailing vessels with two or three masts that are motor-sailboats accommodating 10 to 30 passengers.
Boats are, for the most part, privately owned by individuals and serviced by small professional operators. The exclusive-use boats could have 3-6 cabins and allow the guests to determine their own unique itinerary and how long they stay at a particular port of call. The exclusive use ships can be rented for 3+ nights, with 7 nights being the most common request. We had the luxury of checking out the mini cruisers and gulets with a cruise operator who represents 53 different private yachts, including 28 mini-cruisers typically with 18 cabins, max 36 passengers and a crew of 9, including a tour guide for land based tours. Also in their fleet are 19 gulets and 6 sailboats, including catamarans. This operator offers a number of itineraries, but the exact sailing plan and ports of call are determined daily by the captain. Even arrival at the conclusion of the trip and disembarkation order is determined by the passengers’ onward journeys and even flight schedules. The mini-cruisers can also be chartered for your own group of up to 36, with custom itineraries, meals and activities.
The cost of the 7-day cruise was certainly a value for all the inclusions – all breakfasts, all but one lunch aboard, 4 dinners aboard, 30-60 minute island tours by the on-board guide, transfers to Old Town Dubrovnik and a 2 hour guided tour by a local, entry fees according to the guided tours, wine and olive oil tasting on board and off, a professional photographer, one night of entertainment at the Captain’s Dinner. I was somewhat apprehensive pre-embarkation that the ship and the services would be bare bones, basic because the price of the 7 night cruise was in the range of 2000-2500 Euro per person (based on seasonality and specific ship). We went early to do a “drive-by” of our vessel, and upon seeing the luxury liner we were very impressed. For sure, it more than exceeded all expectations.
Our ship had just 11 cabins in use (this was high season!) and 20 passengers- American, Kiwis, Thais, Canadians and French. The camaraderie among guests and crew was infectious. The gleaming , spotless, relatively new ship was comfortable, with spacious cabins, huge bathrooms, restful beds, and lots of luggage and storage space. There was a huge upper sundeck, that had loungers, comfy chairs, tables, plenty of shaded and sunny areas and a hot tub. A swim deck that was easy to enter and exit the sea, included flotation devices, kayaks, SUPs and snorkel equipment. We stopped twice daily for ocean swims in crystal clear waters in bays and coves that were only accessible to the small ships. The middle-level deck included the bridge, another huge outdoor lounge as well as an air-conditioned dining area and comfortable sofas. Wi-Fi in the lounge was fast and stable enough to get some serious work done while we were cruising; Wi-Fi was also available in the cabins (but not as reliable).
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The ship docked in the afternoons at each port of call, tethered side-to-side with other mini cruisers, where you would walk through other ships to get to the dock. From here you could join the short tour and then explore on your own. The ship docked overnight with the call to embark no later than 6am, before setting sail at 6:30-7am each morning, headed for the day’s adventures. Hiking, e-biking, mountain biking, exploring national parks, strolling through quaint villages, historical forts and castles, shopping and a stop for refreshments were the order of each day. For those of you who are Game of Thrones’ fans, Dubrovnik and other islands offer some familiar scenes, which are quite an obsession with visitors to get those coveted social media photos.
Beyond the cruise, we also enjoyed Dubrovnik for the food, the alleyways of Old Town, the kayaking, e-biking, scuba diving, a private happy hour on a yacht around the city walls, and
visiting the best boutique hotels. We loved learning about the history from as early as 200AD, all the way up to the more recent history of the war to break up Yugoslavia in the early 90’s, the attack on the city and the ability of 36 men who thwarted the invasion of over a thousand Bosnian soldiers. The stories are fascinating, from people who experienced both the horrors of war and the rebuilding of the new nations. The August weather was lovely, though the locals claimed it was a bit hotter than normal and the water was warm.
The buzz about Croatia is for real, but to do it right you need to go at the right time, to the right location, with the right cruise option and with inland/city visits as well.
To recap: some of the advantages we see for the mini-cruises over the huge ocean liners include:
1. Exceptional Access to Ports and Islands
o Access smaller ports and islands that large cruise ships cannot reach
o Docking right in the heart of historic towns and charming fishing villages
o Visit more remote and less touristy Croatian islands
o Enjoy easy walk-off access without need for tenders
2. More Intimate and Authentic Experience
o With only 20-40 passengers, there is a more personalized, relaxed atmosphere
o Opportunities to bond with fellow passengers and crew
o Authentic interactions with locals in ports
o Regional cuisine prepared by Croatian chefs
3. Escape the Crowds
o Avoid the tourist hordes from mega ships
o Enjoy a more peaceful experience in ports
o Have swim stops at secluded beaches and coves
4. Flexible Itineraries
o Routes adjustable based on weather and passenger interests
o Spend more time in desirable ports
o Make spontaneous stops at hidden gems along the coast
5. Focus on Destination Immersion
o More time in each port for in-depth exploration, you can party til dawn, if desired or go on an early morning run or hike
o Shore excursions to authentic local experiences
o Cultural interactions and learning opportunities
We are excited to work with our local partner, Adriatic Travel Collection, and offer you a private immersive experience ,both water- and land-based, focused on your interests; one that guarantees clean and efficient private transfers and the right guides to create the magical memories. Please call to learn more or schedule a booking at 750-550-1214.
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