Unforgettable Croatia feature Published Mail 09/2024

 Unforgettable Cruise, Croatian Islands

INSTA @less_ordinarytraveller 

A year ago, I had never been on a cruise. Now, after trying three different types, I feel like Goldilocks finding the perfect fit. Large cruises are great for those who like everything under one roof, enjoy a flutter in the casino, live entertainment every night, and a spectacular buffet 24/7. These ships come with elevators, multiple restaurants and bars, and an abundance of staff, making them ideal for those who appreciate lots of support and easy access.

Mid-sized cruises often sail for longer and can require sturdy sea legs. With around 100-300 passengers, it might be tempting to stay in your own group and not get to know your neighbours.

Unforgettable Croatia runs a fleet of small cruise ships, and my journey was on My Wish, sailing for six nights around the lesser-known Croatian islands. The ship hosts 39 passengers and 10 crew members, and at 154 feet long and 28 feet wide, it can access smaller, out-of-the-way ports that larger vessels can't reach. My Wish cabins are spacious, and multiple common spaces for mingling and unwinding allow you to find a quiet spot for privacy. I was surprised how easy it was to find a secluded spot on the top deck for daily sunbathing. We were only at sea for a couple of hours a day, on calm waters, between the dramatic landscapes of the Croatian islands. We stopped at isolated swim spots daily with just a handful of fellow passengers on board, and it ticked all the boxes for me. Unforgettable Croatia offers several different routes around the Croatian islands. Our ship, My Wish, was headed to Slano and Ston, Korcula, Vis, Hvar, and finally Split. 

Before the cruise, we stayed one night in Dubrovnik at Hotel More, an 80-room and suite hotel spread over nine floors. During the construction of the hotel, a subterranean cave was discovered, and it’s now home to the hotel's Cave Bar. This bar extends to the private beach platform, where guests can use the hotel's sun chairs, parasols, and towels free of charge. There’s also a hotel pool and a Jacuzzi terrace, both of which have sun loungers available for guest use. Hotel More feels more like a complex than a hotel, with several cafes, restaurants, and accommodation options all under one roof.

This cruise is well-suited for active people of any age. There are steps to each deck, so it is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. If you have a moderate level of mobility, love swimming, paddle-boarding, going on well-organised excursions, and enjoy wine tasting, this cruise will offer you all that and more. Don't get me wrong, there were a couple of octogenarians on board, but they were probably fitter than me. There was a 70-year-old ex-marine and an 84-year-old doctor who both worked out in the onboard gym daily, as if training for the Olympics. At mealtimes, we had four large dining tables, and we naturally switched up tables every day. No cliques formed; we all freely chatted with whomever sat next to us. It was intimate and fun, and the six nights flew by.

To add to my experience, I had never been to Croatia before. So many things surprised me, not least how quiet the open waters were in June. I expected lots of small cruises passing each other on tourist-packed waters, but this wasn't the case. My Wish had planned routes through lesser-known islands, finding peaceful, idyllic swim spots daily, often without another ship in sight.

We started in Korcula and sailed towards Vis, enjoying an extended swim stop en route. Interestingly, Vis was once a strategic Yugoslav naval base and off-limits to visitors. It’s adapted well to the influx of tourists, and we spent the afternoon exploring the town, with its seafront cafes and labyrinth of quaint streets. We weren’t dining on board, so I chose Lola Restaurant, Vis for its open-air courtyard, decent wine list, and great fish options. We even met a few of our fellow My Wish cruisers who had come for some late-night cocktails in Lola’s stylish bar area.

Bisevo is home to the famous Blue Cave. It’s worth seeing as it only takes about 30 minutes to do a guided tour by boat, but it is subject to weather and sea conditions (€25 per person payable on the day). We had a swim stop in the Pakleni Islands before visiting Hvar, where we had an island tour. We then continued to Hvar for a wine-tasting excursion. I enjoyed taking the time to learn a little about the local wines and sampled plenty of Croatian Pošip and Grk. The visit to a winery was a sit-down tasting experience featuring five local wines and included in the overall price of the cruise. Hvar family winery, VinAtomic, had a great selection ranging from €11 to €120, and my case was rattling with bottles coming home.

Trogir, a UNESCO-listed medieval town, is often compared to a mini-Venice. En route, our captain took us for a scenic sail past Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn Beach), one of the most famous beaches in the world. We were spoiled by another swim stop in tranquil, crystal waters near Ciovo Island before arriving in Trogir. Once docked, we had free time to explore the labyrinth of backstreets and medieval alleyways in this hidden gem.

Our final destination was Split, another UNESCO World Heritage site, rich with classic Roman architecture, including the splendid Diocletian Palace. All breakfasts and lunches were included, as were many of the excursions and talks. In general, eating out on any of the Croatian islands is expensive, but you have to consider the logistics of getting food on and off the islands. Even their fresh water has to be pumped by huge underground pipelines. Unforgettable Travel Company provides each guest with a restaurant guide and a discount card to help you find your ideal spots on nights when you don’t eat on the boat. I opted for fish restaurants every night and enjoyed a high standard from most, with the best being Restaurant Dubrovnik in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik. This Michelin-listed restaurant offers fine dining with interesting and delicious plate combinations. The octopus was exceptional, and they have a stylish cigar and whiskey lounge. Another recommendation is Black Pepper restaurant in Hvar. The food onboard was delicious and catered for vegetarian, vegan, gluten, and lactose-free diets. There were some passengers with more unusual allergies like chilli and walnuts, and the chef managed to keep us all safe! My wish would be to do it all again!

Cruise Croatia offers seven-night cruises from £1,795 per person, including breakfast, lunch, private transfers, all excursions, and Wi-Fi. Flights are not included. For further information on 2025 departures or to book, visit https://cruisecroatia.com/.