Croatia - Casual Cruises

Discover Croatia from the big blue...

Sailing is second nature to most Croatians: children go out at an early age in boats with the family and you’ll often find Croatian officers on board some of the vast ocean going cruise ships. With a highly indented coastline and 1244 islands, our casual cruises are a perfect way to discover Croatia.

We’ve selected three informal cruises which offer different itineraries, one starting at Opatija and sailing through the lesser known islands of the Kvarner Bay and North Dalmatia (this itinerary also includes three nights in a hotel on the Opatija Riviera), and two starting from either Split or Dubrovnik sailing through the famous Dalmatian islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula and Mljet with stops on the mainland too at Makarska and Slano depending on the cruise you choose.

The traditional motorsailer craft are not floating hotels and there are some things we need to tell you: when boats refuel, you can smell the fuel so don’t stay in your cabin – go on deck for some air. Cabins are always smaller than hotel rooms. This type of cruise is popular and sometimes several boats dock together so you have to step across a couple to get to shore. Sometimes the itinerary needs to be changed due to weather conditions and the Captain is in charge - he will always try to inform you about any changes. On board meals are not created by celebrity chefs and usually include simple home-made dishes. So, leave your dinner jacket and tiara at home – you’ll just need some casual clothes and a relaxed attitude to enjoy Croatia from the Adriatic.

ON BOARD THE KALIPSA

10 nights, Friday to Monday, 7 nights on cruise and 3 nights on the Opatija Riviera.
OPATIJA – KRK – RAB – ZADAR – MOLAT – (Ilovik) – LOSINJ – CRES – OPATIJA

Cruising by vintage sailing ship along the magnificent Kvarner coastline & islands.Half board – continental breakfast and lunch on board.

Friday: Arrival
After arrival at Rijeka airport, transfer to a three star hotel on the Opatija Riviera on B/B basis. Free evening to explore.

Saturday: OPATIJA – ISLAND OF KRK
Transfer to the ship late morning. Departure from Opatija harbour at 13:00. After lunch we stop to swim then continue to the island of Krk. There are hundreds of hidden bays and beaches. Overnight in the harbour of Krk where you can explore the old town.

Sunday: ISLAND OF KRK – ISLAND OF RAB
After breakfast we sail to the Island of Rab, known as the “island of love”. The small town of Rab, where we spend the night in the harbour, is encircled by medieval walls, Romanesque church towers, churches, palaces and stone streets. Enjoy the “gallery” on the streets and squares where many painters and artists exhibit their works.

Monday: ISLAND OF RAB – ZADAR
After breakfast we cruise from Rab along the island of Pag with a swim stop on tiny island of MAUN, and continue towards Zadar in the afternoon where we spend the night in port. For centuries the metropolis of Dalmatia, Zadar has been a city of rich monumental heritage. The town is full of great restaurants – don’t miss the famous Zadar Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun on the seafront.

Tuesday: ZADAR – ISLAND MOLAT or OLIB
Early departure for Island of Molat or island Olib (depending on available space in the small harbours). Molat island is situated in the northern part of Zadar’s archipelago. Olib is a place where you can rest your body and soul. There are no cars or trucks, just a tractor or two.

The island has many beautiful beaches. When you come ashore you’ll see the beautiful sandy beach near the port. The village is small but wide. The parish church is from 1632, and about twenty Glagolitic scripts from the 16th - 19th century are kept in the parsonage.

Wednesday: ISLAND OF MOLAT or OLIB – ILOVIK – ISLAND OF LOSINJ
After breakfast and morning swim, we sail to the peaceful island of flowers called Ilovik. A colony of dolphins live here! Departure for the island of Mali Losinj (lunch on route), which is one of the most popular islands on the northern Adriatic due to the abundance of pine trees and clear waters. Overnight in Mali Losinj.

Thursday: ISLAND OF LOSINJ – ISLAND OF CRES
After a morning swim we leave for the island of Cres. This long and narrow island is covered with oak, beach and pine forests as well as vineyards and olive tree plantations. Cres and Mali Losinj used to be one island but a channel dug by the Romans now separates them. We spend the night in the harbour of the pretty medieval city of Cres.

Friday: ISLAND OF CRES – OPATIJA
After breakfast we leave for Opatija. En route you can enjoy the beautiful view of famous Opatija Riviera. Arrival in the late afternoon. For your last night on the ship we recommend you have a farewell party on the ship while exchanging addresses with other passengers – your new friends. You can also take a stroll along the famous LUNGO MARE seafront promenade to the fishing village VOLOSKO – well known for good seafood restaurants.

Saturday: OPATIJA
After breakfast say goodbye to the crew. Transfer to your hotel on the Opatija Riviera and overnight (this cruise is operated by Katalina Line and their staff can make any further excursion arrangements you need).

Sunday: OPATIJA
Free day.

Monday: Departure
Transfer from your hotel to Rijeka airport.

The Kalipsa has 12 double cabins (usually bunk beds) with private shower and toilet. Hot and cold water and sundeck with beds/chairs. Restaurant and bar-deck. This is an A category vessel and an A+ category boat is available for departures from 30 Jun – 25 Aug 2012. The A+ are new boats, fully air-conditioned, larger cabins with double or twin beds and includes a captain’s dinner and guided sightseeing in Zadar.

Price from £789 per person.

ON BOARD THE MARIJA MAGDALENA

7 nights, Saturday to Saturday
SPLIT – BRAC/OMIS – MAKARSKA – KORCULA – DUBROVNIK – MLJET – HVAR – SPLIT

Cruising by motorsailer through the amazing Dalmatian islands starting and ending in Split. Half board – continental breakfast and lunch on board.

Saturday: Transfer To the Marija Magdalena for dinner and overnight.

Sunday: SPLIT – MAKARSKA
Explore Diocletians Palace and the historic monuments of Split in the morning and depart before lunch via island of Brac or Omis to Makarska for arrival late afternoon.

Monday: MAKARSKA – KORCULA
Depart after breakfast with a stop en route for swimming on the east coast of Hvar or the
Peljesac peninsula. Late afternoon arrival to the island of Korcula and alleged birthplace of explorer Marco Polo and famous too for olive groves and the Moreska Dance.

Tuesday: KORCULA – DUBROVNIK
Morning departure with a stop for swimming and relaxing at the tiny island of Olipa and then arrival in the unique city of Dubrovnik around 16:00. Explore the old city, walk the ramparts and discover why this is one of the most famous walled cities in Europe.

Wednesday: DUBROVNIK – MLJET
Leave Dubrovnik around 10:00 to Mljet with a stop for swimming on one of the Elaphiti islands. Around 16:00 we arrive at Pomena on the island of Mljet famous for its wooded trails, fishermen’s villages, the two saltwater lakes and the 100 square kilometre National park.

Thursday: MLJET – HVAR
Leaving Mljet at 10:00 stop for swimming on the island of Scedro (subject to weather) and arrival in Hvar town around 16:00. Hvar town has a cultural historic heritage and beautiful churches, squares and loggias all built from local white stone – it has also become a favourite celebrity haunt in recent years.

Friday: HVAR – SPLIT
Morning departure at 09:00 with a stop on the island of Brac for swimming, relaxing and then on to Split arriving in the afternoon.

Saturday: SPLIT
Early breakfast and goodbye to the crew and your new friends and transfer to Split airport (this cruise is operated by Elite Travel and their staff will be happy to make an excursion or other travel arrangements).

The Marija Magdalena has 12 air-conditioned cabins with double or twin beds, private shower and toilet. Most of our cabins are on the lower deck since these have twin/double beds and most upper deck cabins have bunk beds. Bar and restaurant plus sundeck with chairs, sunbeds and freshwater shower.

Price from £622 per person.

ON BOARD THE NIKOLA

7 nights, Sunday to Sunday
DUBROVNIK – ELAPHITI ISLANDS – MLJET – HVAR – SPLIT – KORCULA – SLANO-DUBROVNIK

Cruising through the fabulous Dalmatian islands starting and ending in Dubrovnik. Half  board – continental breakfast and lunch on board.

Sunday: Transfer
From Dubrovnik airport to Gruz harbour (Dubrovnik) for embarkation. Dinner and overnight on board in Dubrovnik (it is essential that you board the Nikola on Sunday).

Monday: DUBROVNIK – ELAPHITI ISLANDS – MLJET
Cruise to Jakljan, one of the Elaphiti Islands with time for swimming then continue to Pomena on Mljet islands with its 100 square kilometres of National Park, wooded trails and two saltwater lakes.

Tuesday: MLJET-HVAR
We cruise from Mljet to the island of Hvar stopping on the way at the little island of Scedro for swimming before we continue to Hvar, famous for its cultural heritage and lavender fields.

Wednesday: HVAR-SPLIT
Continuing to the historic city of Split home of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace with a stop on the way to swim off the beautiful island of Brac.

Thursday: SPLIT TO KORCULA
A gentle cruise after breakfast brings us to the island of Korcula. On the way we stop for
swimming at Loviste on the tip of the green Peljesac peninsula. We arrive in Korcula in the late afternoon with time to explore the little streets and stone square of Korcula town.

Friday: KORCULA – SLANO
Cruising from Korcula with a stop for swimming at the tiny island of Olipa with its crystal clear waters with an afternoon arrival at Slano, a pretty little spot with a beautiful tree lined waterfront.

Saturday: SLANO – DUBROVNIK
Almost completing our Dalmatian circle we make a stop again at one of the Elaphiti islands for swimming before arriving in Dubrovnik in the afternoon. Time to say goodbye to crew and new friends on our last night.

Sunday: DUBROVNIK
Early breakfast then disembarkation and transfer to Dubrovnik airport. (This cruise is operated by Elite Travel whose staff can make any further excursion or other travel arrangements).

The Nikola has 17 air-conditioned cabins on upper, main and lower decks. Most cabins are double or twin with some triple bedded cabins. Each has a private shower and toilet area. There is a restaurant and bar plus sundeck with sunbeds and chairs, two freshwater showers and toilet.

Price from £727 per person.

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