Discovering Croatia: A Travel Expert Talks Small Ship Cruises
The azure waters of Croatia have long beckoned travellers with their intricate blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. As this European gem continues to shine brighter on the global tourism stage, a fresh and intimate way to experience its coastal wonders is emerging: small ship cruises. These vessels offer a uniquely personal touch, bridging the gap between large ocean liners and private yachts. "Travel expert" Tina Music will present you with more details about cruises on the Adriatic with smaller vessels.
What are these 'mini cruisers', and how are they categorized?
Cruise ships are divided into different categories according to the quality of the offer, similar to hotels. Sometimes, it takes work to distinguish precisely between them. Still, the category is usually determined according to the quality of service, appearance, age, additional services, and the like.
Standard:
Boasting steel hulls, our vessels seamlessly blend modern design with traditional aesthetics, providing guests with airy cabins equipped with air conditioning for your comfort. Each of these inviting cabins, ranging in size from 8 to 14 square meters, offers either cozy double or twin beds, along with the convenience of a hairdryer and a secure safe. The ships themselves gracefully extend between 29 and 35 meters in length.
Standard Superior:
Our Standard Superior ships are akin to smaller yet equally elegant counterparts of our luxury vessels. These are contemporary, newly-minted ships, exuding a similar aura of comfort within their more intimate dimensions of 38 to 41 meters in length. Guests will find the air-conditioned cabins, spanning 8 to 14 square meters, equipped with either double or twin beds, alongside hairdryers and safes.
Deluxe:
For guests seeking the epitome of luxury, our fleet includes modern Deluxe ships stretching from 42 to 47 meters, providing ample space to unwind. The spacious sun deck is a highlight, featuring a hot tub and sun loungers, setting the perfect stage for guests to revel in the captivating beauty of the Adriatic Sea. Our deluxe cabins are not only expansive, ranging from 12 to 17 square meters, but are also meticulously appointed with air conditioning, choices of double or single beds, ample storage, toiletries, hairdryers, and lockers, among other thoughtful touches.
Deluxe Superior:
It’s noteworthy that our Deluxe Superior ships encapsulate the essence of luxury in a more compact package. These recently crafted, smaller vessels, extending from 38 to 41 meters, promise comfort akin to their larger luxury counterparts with air-conditioned cabins between 8 to 14 square meters. Guests can expect either double or twin beds, complemented by hairdryers and safes in each cabin.
What can we see?
Cruise routes are often around Dalmatia, where there are the most desired destinations. Still, of course, Kvarner, Kornati, and other parts of the Adriatic are also interesting. Thus, the journey begins in Split, Dubrovnik, or Opatija.
What does a day on a small ship cruise look like?
Above all, it is never boring, and everyone can design their day according to what they like best - swimming, reading a book in the shade on the deck, taking photos, resting, exploring new places, and the like. The experience of Croatia from a ship is completely different from that of the mainland. After arriving in a city, the ship is always anchored somewhere along the promenade. When you step off it, you are immediately in the centre of the action (in the high season, when the ports are more crowded, sometimes this may also mean passing over a few other ships, but this is not a particular problem). The day starts with breakfast and a drive to the new location. Thus, we are often right after breakfast at the first stop for swimming or visiting a small town such as Komiza on Vis, Blue Cave on Bisevo, a hidden tavern in Kornati, and similar destinations that sometimes cannot be reached by road.
If a cruise ship cannot reach the shore directly, additional transportation is organized with auxiliary boats. After a few hours, lunch and transfer to the new location follow. During the day, we usually stop at least twice at beautiful places for swimming, which are inaccessible from the shore but fairly close to it.
After an afternoon of swimming or sightseeing, the cruise usually heads to one of the small towns or. The ship stays there until around six or seven in the morning when it has to return as it sails further. Thus, we have enough time to enjoy the evening and night at each stop. Especially on Hvar, guests like to enjoy the nightlife at the famous Carpe Diem club.
What is the charm of such trips, and what is the atmosphere like on the ship?
The charm is that the ship is just the right size for all the guests to get to know each other. When a friendly and helpful crew is on board, the trip is even more fun and exciting. People get to know each other after a few days and start 'socializing'.
The ship is also the right size to function as a large yacht, and the cabins are similar to hotel rooms. At the same time, it is much more personal, less cumbersome, and easier to access the hidden corners of the islands than, for example, a large cruise ship. I have tried smaller and larger cruise ships, but this option is more exciting and comfortable. Of course, each has its advantages and disadvantages.
It's hard to put into words how much fun it is. For me, the atmosphere was the complete opposite of what I expected. I was ready to read books on the deck chair and take a more 'retirement' vacation. In the end, everything turned into socializing, discovering new places, getting to know new, interesting people in detail, with whom even more lasting ties are forged, almost daily parties on land and the ship, swimming in beautiful locations accessible only from the sea, or just relaxing in the jacuzzi.
The finishing touch is the captain's dinner, which usually takes place in the middle of the week at a more remote location when everyone already knows each other well and is all the more relaxed.
Is travelling by ship suitable for everyone? What can be annoying?
On the first day, the noise can be a bit disturbing and the environment a bit different than on land, but you get used to it very quickly, as the room is similar to a hotel and includes a bathroom. In principle, there are no restrictions on water, electricity, or air conditioning consumption. Of course, saving is desirable, but it is not as strict as on smaller vessels. I advise those more sensitive to noise to use earplugs, as usually, the ship moves to a new location in the morning, which can be before seven o'clock, when some people still like to sleep. That causes engine noise and, depending on the cabin's location, how intense it can be. Those who go to bed early can also have a problem with some entertainment on the ship, for example, after the captain's dinner, etc. But even in the hotel, the maids often start cleaning around seven o'clock, or we have a room right above the restaurant.
Rarely do any of the guests have problems with seasickness, as the uncomfortable movement, swaying, is barely noticeable, especially if the weather is nice. The ship moves more uneasily only with powerful storms and waves. If nausea occurs, the option is to use anti-nausea tablets, which also make us sleep a little bit. Still, most of the guests do not have these problems, or they disappear on the first day when the body gets used to the movement.
Cruises have the feel of a 'retirement' trip, but in practice, they can be the opposite - at least, that's how it turned out for us, and we had less time to sleep. If someone is sensitive to peace and doesn't like company that much, this type of socializing where you are "trapped with 40 people" for a week can be a bit tiring. As said, everyone can make their own special schedule and choose where and how they will enjoy themselves during the cruise.
If you want to travel with children, you need to book especially quickly, because there are few cabins designed for families - they are usually classic double cabins without additional beds. Otherwise, whether such a trip is even suitable for children is often a question. We often meet families, even with children of a few years old, who quickly find fun and company among their peers on the ship.
What to take on a cruise?
Although some ships offer additional services, you can take your water cushions and diving mask. If you want some premium wine, you can take it with you, and they can offer you a cooler on the ship (often for a fee, as there are no refrigerators in the cabins).
For photography enthusiasts, remember a drone or camera. Given that the ship often moves between smaller towns and remote locations, a basic "pharmacy", just in case, is not out of place. Check if any tours are planned where you will need more than "flip flops" or at least some sports shoes.
Finally, we briefly highlight the advantages of cruising with smaller cruise ships over large cruise ships and smaller vessels:
• A manageable number of people on the ship (30 to 40) – easier and faster organization of trips, meeting new people, and socializing faster communication and arranging matters, and a homely atmosphere. However, it is easier to retreat on our own than on a smaller vessel.
• Shore excursions are included in the price. On larger cruise ships, this must be paid for separately.
• Interesting locations and bays - we can reach almost all locations as smaller vessels (cruise ships cannot enter smaller ports, and additional transport is always required).
• It is unnecessary to think about what the weather is like where we can anchor and report to the port, the captain does everything.
• On most ships, bathing and jumping into the water is possible directly from the back of the ship (there is also a shower there).