Who doesn’t fancy exploring beautiful and bewitching Croatia’s lovely Dalmatian Islands?
You’ll sail around the lovely coast of Croatia, on board the MS Ohana.
Both ships have a 38 people capacity and are fully air-conditioned.
All cabins on board have en-suite facilities and there is a restaurant and bar on board too.
Your cruise begins in the wonderful Dubrovnik, with its medieval old town, and continues on to our favourite small villages, coastal towns and cities such as Split where the ancient and contemporary sit seamlessly side by side.
Whether it’s the medieval old town of Dubrovnik, the breath-taking natural water park at Krka or the imposing limestone cliffs and traditional stonemason school in pretty Pucisca, Croatia has plenty to see and explore.
You can do that independently or by joining one of the many organised tours available in each destination.
You’ll be delighted to see how clear and warm the water is. If you happen to be interested in water sports then Croatia – and near Omis in particular – is going to prove a big tick in the holiday entertainment category for you.
Where dining and sampling local delicacies is concerned, Croatia has plenty of splendid restaurants to dine in.
Not surprisingly, seafood is a particular favourite in these small coastal outlets.
But there is plenty of cosmopolitan and sophisticated fayre too in the likes of Split and Dubrovnik and you will find the crew are happy to provide recommendations.
Dubrovnik and Split
7 nights/8 days
May 14, 28 | June 11, 25 | July 9, 23 | August 6, 20 | September 3, 17 | October 1
May 7, 21 | June 4, 18 | July 2, 16, 30 | August 13, 27 | September 10, 24 | October 8
Optional excursions are available to purchase on spot.
Additional hotel stays, day trips and activities can be added to your itinerary before or after the cruise.
Due to the specific mooring conditions and requirements in some Croatian harbours, cruise ships are moored side by side, making it necessary for clients to cross from one ship to another with gaps in between ships in order to get to the shore.
In such cases, clients need to take special care when crossing and do this at their own risk.
Crew assistance will be given to those requesting it.
Cruise not recommended for clients in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.
Your Cruise Director and crew look forward to meeting you onboard after 2pm.
At which point they will have a welcome drink and snack.
At this time, you’ll also be informed of safety measures and other regulations onboard.
Dinner for the first evening will be on board ship which will be berthed in Dubrovnik.
Following a hearty breakfast, you will be encouraged to leave the boat and take an optional tour of Dubrovnik Old Town.
There you’ll see many fine examples of architecture from the ages, from Renaissance to Baroque and Gothic.
Enjoy wandering around the medieval cobbled streets and up and down narrow closes and avenues – many of which you’ll recognise if you happen to be a fan of Game of Thrones (for this was the backdrop for scenes at King’s Landing).
A walking tour of the Old Town optional.
Famous for its port and sea-faring traditions hundreds of years ago, Dubrovnik was populated by sailors and it was to the smaller and far quieter town of Slano that the captains and other city nobility choose to retreat to during the summer months.
And who could blame them? This pretty coastal village in the south of the country has a lovely rustic feel.
Olive-growing, together with viniculture, fruit-growing, fishing, tobacco production and general farming are the local occupations and traditions here.
You’ll also be able to pay a visit to the village’s beautiful 17th century Franciscan Church.
There is the option of a tour Ston – a town famous for its salt production and succulent shellfish, such as oysters and mussels.
You’ll notice too the town’s walls; at five km long, they are the longest in Europe and also play host to three individual fortresses.
But if food and drink is more your thing then we definitely recommend the optional bus excursion tour Taste of Dalmatia.
Enjoy breakfast on board the boat to a stunning geographic backdrop.
Today’s first stop-off is the island of Mljet.
This beautiful richly forest-covered location has its own national park comprising two salt lakes which meet with the Adriatic via a narrow canal.
We offer an optional guided tour to the park.
Then again, its possible to go trekking, cycling and even kayaking on the island if you fancy using up some energy.
History and architecture lovers will also appreciate a visit to the 12th-century Monastery of St. Mary.
Afterwards we’ll pay a visit to the island of Korčula.
This former Venetian stronghold still retains evidence of its glorious past thanks to some amazingly adept stonework.
Lion statues, it seems, were particularly popular at the time.
Interestingly, the island was also home to the famous explorer Marco Polo.
Again, we offer an optional walking tour here.
Berth overnight in Korčula.
Wake and breakfast to another stunning view then we’ll set sail for the island of Hvar.
With its main town also called Hvar, this is an island referred to as ‘queen of the Dalmatian islands.’
The reason is not just its ideal geographic location, but also its stunning natural formations and mild weather (and which always appeal to tourists).
Lately it has been the haunt of many a celebrity rich and famous individual, keen to see what all the fuss is about.
Other claims to fame for Hvar island include the fields of beautiful purple lavender (both a visual and scented treat) and its rustic vineyards, populated by hundreds of acres of olive trees.
Meanwhile, beautiful Dubovica beach is a coastal paradise.
Visit a konoba (small inn) while on the island in order to try some of the local wine and, hopefully, learn some island songs while you’re there.
A guided tour of Hvar is optional
Dinner that evening will be on board ship at before we make our way to Vis.
Unlike Hvar there’s no nightclubs so its quieter and less frequented by youngsters.
It may be the idyllic backdrop for the film Mamma Mia 2, but Viz really deserves to be in the foreground – and will be as you sit and breakfast onboard ship.
Kut is the oldest and most enchanting part of the island and can be reached by walking around the 19th century harbour area.
There you’ll find prized seafood restaurants built into the limestone cliffs.
Check out the Roman Baths and Greek Cemetery for a glimpse of history.
You also have the option of a guided tour.
Next, we’ll visit Šibenik with its secret alleyways and ever-ascending stone steps.
You can’t fail to spot the town’s celebrated Gothic and Renaissance-style Cathedral of St James.
This may be a gorgeous medieval type village but in the town’s square, called Poljana, you’ll find the impressive modern library, built entirely (it seems) of glass and steel.
A walking tour is optional.
Tonight, you can enjoy dinner in one of the town’s charming restaurants – a favourite being Pelegrini. Regarded as one of the country’s best restaurants (quite a claim to fame!), you can enjoy such gems as cuttlefish gnocchi or truffle pappardelle.
Breakfast while sailing past the stunning Croatian limestone cliffs and look forward to spending a day at the stunning Krka National Park.
You’ll enter the Park via a coach trip to Skradin (the other main entrance being at Lozovac).
A 25-minutes boat ride takes you to the foot of a series of stunning waterfalls and where you can wander around to take in the beauty of the entire spectacle.
Next you will head for the city of Split.
Emperor Diocletian’s Palace is the big attraction here (and big is the word, since the former Roman fortress and its garrisons measures a massive 38,700 square metres).
It may be treasured and a historical gem, but parts of the palace are still alive and vibrant today, thanks to the fact around 3000 local residents both live and work there.
A walking tour of the palace and other must-see areas of the city is available.
Dinner will be onboard and we’ll berth in Split for the night.
From the city of Split we’ll head to the peace and quieter contemplation afforded by the lovely island of Brac.
There we’ll visit pretty Pucisca where you’ll find a very famous stonemason’s school where traditional tools are still used!
In fact, the town – which sits in a deep bay – is revered the world over for its lovely white marble.
We offer an option tour around the stone masonry school.
Next, we’ll stop off at Omis on the mainland. Sitting at the mouth of the Cetina River, this lovely small town was a former pirate haunt way back in the depths of time.
Today it’s a haunt of beach-goers who love those rich, sandy shores.
There’s also plenty of water sports on offer.
If you prefer a more sedate way of travelling by water then you could take the optional Cetina River boat cruise.
Then again, if architecture and history is more your thing then head off to the 13th century cathedral or check out the Fortress Starigrad.
Enjoy your final breakfast on board feasting on the beauty of the Croatian coast, before disembarking the ship by 9:00 AM.
