On our last Croatian road trip, we drove the scenic coastal road between our stays in various towns and cities. The views over the Adriatic enchanted us so much that we vowed to return to see the islands. So, after extensive research, we found that a wonderful way to see Croatia’s islands was by cruise.
Choosing the cruise
Of course, when it comes to cruising the Croatian coastline and islands, there are lots of options.
Through further research, we learned Sail Croatia offered the best option for a relaxed, crowds-free cruise from Split to Dubrovnik and return.
The cruise takes in the popular southern islands with plenty of time in Split and Dubrovnik, with guided tours of both.
Sail Croatia has a fleet of vessels to suit every budget and comfort level. Yachts, sailing boats, catamarans – you take your pick.
The route
- Stari Grad, Hvar Island
- Hvar, Hvar Island
- Mljet
- Dubrovnik
- Korcula
- Makarska
- Split
The Yacht
Our yacht, the recently refurbished MS Olimp, has 18 cabins (10 above deck and 8 below deck) and caters for 36 guests in twin or double cabins.
Your private cabin
Each cabin is modern, available with twin or double beds, has a private ensuite and a television, with plenty of room to relax away from other guests if you choose.
Cabins are serviced daily.
Social areas
The yacht has a spacious indoor lounge area with comfortable seating for relaxing, reading and socialising while at sea.
A well-appointed covered outdoor deck at the back of the yacht, with more seating, provides another space to enjoy the changing scenery.
The top deck has sun loungers and a covered area to enjoy the sunshine and wider views, or have a dip in the jacuzzi. For convenience, there’s also an outdoor bar on the deck.
We are early risers; we used the indoor lounge and the outdoor deck to roll out our yoga mats before other guests woke.
Swimming Deck
For convenience, a retractable swimming deck allows guests to step or dive into the clear blue waters for a swim.
Dining area
Between the indoor lounge and the outdoor area at the back of the yacht is an elegant dining room complete with a bar. Guests are served breakfast and lunch here daily.
Onboard meals
The extensive daily buffet breakfasts, morning and afternoon tea, and delicious three-course gourmet lunches are included. And a Captain’s Dinner Evening with entertainment at the end of the cruise
The Cruise Director
Iona, our Tour Manager, was from Romania. Efficient and friendly, Iona answered questions and corralled guests for activities. She also arranged additional tours for guests that were not included in the cruise price.
The Crew
Our Skipper was the ship owner’s son, Jure, who did an excellent job manoeuvring our vessel through the channels, ensuring a comfortable week of sailing.
Our small but versatile crew consisted of a chef and his assistant, two guest staff members who assisted in the bar and dining area, a maid, and two sailors. All were hospitable and went above and beyond to ensure all guests enjoyed their onboard experience.
The Guests
A welcome reception, complete with canapés and champagne upon boarding the Olimp, allowed guests to get to know each other before the captain set sail. Our fellow guests hailed from Australia, the United States and England.
Pre-Cruise
We flew into Split from Rome after more than two and a half months visiting France, Switzerland, the Italian mainland, Sicily and Malta on a driving holiday.
It was early October, and unlike our last visit to Split at the height of summer, when the Old Town teemed with tourists, musicians played on stages set up for summer concerts, and buskers performed on the pavements. The sun was shining, but the summer crowds had disappeared, leaving the town very pleasant to stroll around.
With an evening and morning free before we boarded our yacht, we had a lovely time reacquainting ourselves with Split’s Old Town and harbour-side.
Post-Cruise
We decided to stay a couple of extra nights, enjoying Split and its surrounds after the cruise. We hired a car to visit Klis Fortress, the Roman Ruins in the town of Solin and meandered the coastal road to Omis (the hometown of Damir, one of our sailors on the Olimp).
Our Sail Croatia experience
The Sail Croatia staff were helpful, accommodating, welcoming and hospitable from our very first enquiry until we disembarked the yacht.
Boarding was fast and efficient, and the yacht was conveniently moored very near to Diocletian’s Palace and our overnight accommodation.
Our cabin
On the upper deck, our cabin was comfortable and functional. When we originally booked, six months before the sailing, all the upper cabins had already been taken. We requested an upgrade if a cabin became available due to cancellation. Three months before joining the cruise, we were lucky to secure one at a small additional cost.
The meals
The gourmet meals, freshly prepared onboard, were delicious, with all dietary requirements catered for. Passengers could purchase beverages from the bar.
Extra-curricular inclusions and excursions
Guided tours of Split and Dubrovnik as well as a Captain’s Dinner were included. Extra special was the dinner at a local village winery in Stari Grad. The vineyard’s wines accompanied the delicious meal. Other excursions and experiences were offered at reasonable prices at each port.
Morning sailings and swim stops in beautiful secluded bays were included, providing ample time to relax. Or, we could sit back, enjoy the passing scenery and socialise. Afternoons and evenings were spent on excursions, exploring the islands at leisure and dining at local restaurants.
Where we stayed pre- and post-cruise
Pre-Cruise
We arrived in Split one day before embarkation and booked accommodation in the heart of Split’s Old Town. Accessed from a private courtyard in a pretty little square, Apartment Ivan was comfortable and provided all we needed for our stay.
Convenience was the key. We could step straight out to explore the streets and alleyways of the old town, the main sights around Diocletian’s Palace or stroll to the waterfront.
Post-cruise
To allow us more time to enjoy Split after the cruise and the final days of our three-month-long vacation, we re-booked Apartment Ivan for a couple of more nights.
For our final night, we booked an apartment near Trogir to spend an afternoon and evening seeing more of Trogir’s beautiful historic town and Ciovo Island. The airport was within walking distance from the apartment; we could easily arrive in time for our early morning flight.
Amazing sea view apartment – Romantica is owned by a lovely Croatian couple who live below the spacious two-bedroom apartment. It has a balcony overlooking the sea.
Our conclusion
Our Sail Croatia cruise was the perfect way to experience the Croatian coastline and its sun-drenched islands. The cruise allowed us to visit the more popular islands while also revisiting Split and Dubrovnik in a relaxed atmosphere.
If you’re looking for an alternative to conventional cruising, we highly recommend a Sail Croatia experience. It was a luxury small-ship cruise at its best.
