Croatian cruising unforgettable

THERE’S little doubt a meander along the Croatian coast is a high point for those who love life aboard a cruise ship.

And for good reason; it is a trip of a lifetime and it’s hard not to get hooked.

Everything positive you have heard about the Croatian cruises that explore the fascinating coast and islands are true: it’s magnificent and incredibly restful.

Our motor vessel was the MS Mama Marija, which is sleek and stylish and accommodates 36 passengers in 18 air-conditioned cabins with private ensuites, wardrobes and WiFi.

The ship comes equipped with an extra-large full air-conditioned salon-restaurant with bar, LCD TV, WiFi and panoramic windows.

Outdoor features include a covered terrace with ample seating, a swimming platform for easy access to the sea, as well as a jacuzzi on the sun deck.

The cruise was eight days from Dubrovnik to Split and the passengers were a mix of Australians, New Zealanders and Americans.

Dubrovnik is a fascinating city that needs several days to explore, so it’s not a bad idea to arrive several days before the cruise and get your walking shoes on.

The old town of Dubrovnik is quite stunning, with endless gorgeous restaurants and a remarkable history.

For the next seven days, we cruised between islands on the picture-perfect sea, pulling into tiny island ports or dropping anchor for us to swim in azure water.

On the itinerary was the tranquil fishing village of Sipanska Luka, Mljet Island where we roamed through the national park, and a 12th Century Benedictine monastery.

At Sipanska Luka, the vessel tied up right next to a string of restaurants (the bow actually towered over our table on the wharf).

In fact, all the towns had a host of restaurants adjacent to the wharf, and it was fine dining in abundance.

The island of Vis was on the bucket list and didn’t disappoint, with a beautiful bay for a refreshing dip.

Another must was the spectacular island of Bisevo and its famous Blue Cave.

And then there was Hvar, one of Croatia’s most popular islands.

Other stops were made at Zlatni Rat or Golden Cape, which regularly tops the list of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site at Trogir.

The pace of the cruise is delightfully relaxing, and you can set your own agenda, take a shore excursion or read a book on board.

There isn’t the hustle of a large cruise liner, but while your vessel – or super yacht – is small, there are plenty of places to just curl up and chill.

Because the cruises are so popular, there are a host of vessels and not much wharf space, which results in inventive solutions, such as berthing together at night with the through passageways perfectly lined up.

So, if your super yacht is last to berth you just need to walk through six or so vessels to get to shore.

Easy.

The cruise continues during the day, but on most days it is only a few hours to the next stop.

And there are several itineraries available, departing from Dubrovnik, Split, Opatija and Zadar.