Croatia Coastal Cruise
September 11-18, 2027
Itinerary | Flights | Pricing | Reserve
A week cruising the islands that dot the Dalmatian Coast aboard a private 38-passenger motor yacht. Great restaurants for your evening ashore, swimming in isolated bays, Cycling through national parks, sampling great Croatian Wine.
This seven night cruise aboard MV Ave Maria takes you from Trogir to Dubrovnik with stops in Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet, and Slano.
- This tour includes:
- Seven nights aboard MV Ave Maria
- Breakfast and lunch each day
- Captain’s Dinner on board
- Taxes, local guides
- National Park admission
- Transfers from Split to the ship
- Transfers from the ship to Dubrovnik Airport
Items not included in your tour costs:
- Personal items
- Some meals
- Gratuities
7-night Itinerary
Saturday, September 11th Trogir – Bol (L)
Transfer from Split Airport or central Split to Marina Baotić in Trogir, where your vessel awaits. Check-in starts at 13:00, and we set sail at 14:00. Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and lunch onboard as we cruise toward the island of Brač and the charming town of Bol, famed for its iconic Zlatni Rat beach. Spend the evening soaking up the relaxed atmosphere of this picturesque fishermen’s village. Overnight in Bol.
Sunday, September 12th Bol – Hvar (BL)
After breakfast, cruise toward the jet-set island of Hvar, with lunch served on board among the Pakleni Islands—a stunning chain of emerald islets scattered just off the coast. Hvar, the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic, is famed for its lavender fields, crystal waters, and timeless beauty. Arrive in the afternoon for a guided tour of the town’s highlights, including the Renaissance cathedral with its original tower and the oldest community theatre in Europe, founded in 1612. Follow the zig-zag path up to the fortress for sweeping views of the harbor and the Pakleni Islands. As night falls, Hvar comes alive with stylish restaurants, lively bars, and open-air clubs that keep the island buzzing late into the night. Overnight in port.
Monday, September 13th Hvar – Vis (BL)
Breakfast on board, followed by departure toward the island of Vis—once closed to the public for decades due to its strategic military position. This isolation preserved its authentic charm, often described as “the Mediterranean as it once was.” Arriving at the island’s main town, Vis, discover traces of ancient Issa, the first urban center in Croatia. Join an optional guided tour or wander independently to explore the Roman Thermal Baths, the City Museum, and the serene waterfront lined with stone houses of the old Village Rusticae. In the afternoon, enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, sampling some of Croatia’s finest island vintages. Overnight in the port of Vis.
Tuesday, September 14th VIS–BIŠEVO-KORČULA(BL)
An early morning cruise takes you toward the tiny island of Biševo to visit the famous Blue Cave, a stunning natural phenomenon where sunlight creates an otherworldly blue glow.(Entrance fee payable on the spot; the visit depends on weather conditions, but you’ll be informed in time.) Continue cruising toward the island of Korčula, reputedly the birth place of the explorer Marco Polo. Enjoy lunch in one of the secluded bays along the way before arriving in Korčula in the afternoon. Join a guided walking tour through this enchanting walled town, one of the best-preserved medieval centers in the Adriatic. Its distinctive fishbone street pattern was ingeniously designed to allow air circulation and protect residents from wind and sun. In the evening, opt for an excursion to a nearby village fora traditional Dalmatian dinner and a glimpse into local life. Overnight in one of Korčula’s ports (main town, Dominče, or ferry port, depending on availability).
Wednesday, September 15th KORČULA – Mljet (BL)
The next morning, head further south to the Island of Mljet. The legend says Greek hero Odysseus spent years on this island when he was captured by the nymph Calypso. Join the cruise manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park and enjoy the boat ride to St. Mary Isle to visit an ancient Benedictine monastery, an old abbey and a Church dating back to the 12th Century. Alternatively, rent kayaks, bicycles, scooters or convertible cars to roam around the National Park or island on your own, but beware of the nymphs! Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the island. Overnight in port Polača or Pomena.
Thursday, September 16th Mljet – Slano (BLD)
Departure for the small village of Slano on the mainland, a peaceful fishermen’s village and the starting point for Ston, another, once fortified small village famous for its oysters. After exploring the town’s vast medieval ramparts, heading for a small village nearby Mali Ston to learn more about oysters and a special tasting of this delicacy. Transfer back to the vessel for the Captain’s dinner with live entertainment.
Friday, September 17th Slano – Dubrovnik (BL)
Early morning departure to Dubrovnik, one of the world’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities. Before tied up at the Gruž harbor, enjoy a cruise alongside the old Dubrovnik city walls while lunch is served on deck. After docking, transfer to the oldtown for the guided walking tour of this magical town. Take the cable car from the Old Town to Srđ mountain to enjoy scenic views of the Walls and the Elaphiti Islands. Meander through the narrow streets, exploring the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture or walk on top of the 1940-meter long city walls (optional). Overnight in Dubrovnik. One last breakfast onboard followed by goodbyes with the crew and new friends! Check-out by 9.00 am.
Saturday, September 18th Dubrovnik (B)
Transfers for Dubrovnik Airport for return flights to the USA or to Prague to join the Bohemia & Bavaria Tour immediately following the cruise. All guests are asked to depart the ship by 9:00 AM.
Pre-cruise time in Split
Split is a very interesting city with outstanding architecture, incredible history, top-notch restaurants, and night life. While I do not have a specific pre-cruise tour package to offer, I encourage you to come in 2-3 nights in advance of the cruise. It’s always nice to get on the local time and refresh yourself after an overseas flight. Split is not an inexpensive city, and you should expect to pay $350 or more for a nice hotel in the center of the antique city. VRBO for a home or apartment rental is a much better way to go. I stayed in one 9 years ago with AC (a must!), in an excellent location for less than $200 a night for an apartment with a bath.
You’ll have a transfer provided to you from the center of the inner harbor to the ship in Trogir, or you can make your way there by Uber. The transfer is likely to be scheduled for 1:00 PM, and will be confirmed as we get closer to the event. Cost to transfer on your own is estimated to be $40 per car or $70 for a van.
Post cruise time in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is also worth a few days on your own to explore. Larger hotels are located outside the walled city. Take a look at VRBO or AirBnB for lodging inside the walled city. Keep in mind that you might be making a significant climb to your accommodations in town. Read the property description carefully.
Getting There: Arrive Split/Depart Dubrovnik
TFlight schedules and fares are generally available to book 330 days in advance. For a round trip fare, this must be 330 days from the return dates.
You’ll want to arrive in Split (SPU), which is just about 20 minutes from the ship pier in the town of Trogir. The city of Split is very close to the international airport. If you are coming early (recommended) of just flying in to join the ship, Split is your airport. The ship departs for the week on Saturday, September 11th, so you’ll need to depart the USA the day before.
Your departure city will be Dubrovnik (DBV), departing for home on the 18th unless you are staying over on your own or joining the second tour in Prague. In this case, your return flight will depart from Munich (MUC) on September 28th.
As you search for flights, I recommend using Kayak.com and Google Flights to determine which airlines have competitive fares and reasonable schedules. Use these tools to search, but purchase your ticket directly from the carrier to avoid issues down the line.
Keep in mind connection times through European hubs. I will not connect through Paris with less than 2 hours. I suggest a minimum of 2 hours with London, Frankfurt, Munich, or Amsterdam. If you miss the boat, you lose a day of fun, and you have to catch us at the next port. It’s not a costly penalty, but will take time.
These sample flight suggestions are from Seattle, my home airport for much of my travels. Lufthansa, British, Air France/KLM/Delta all have competitive fares. Since the ship will depart Trogir at 2:00 PM, you must arrive before noon to make this. Another compelling reason to come in a day or two early.
I expect that fares from the west coast should be in the $1200-$1500 range for coach class. Expect about double that for premium economy. Set a fare notification with Google Flights or Kayak to provide notification of lower fares.
Weather in Croatia for September
Expect ideal conditions with highs between 80-90, lows in the mid-70s, with low precipitation and cloud cover. Perfect for swimming off the back of the ship. It’s hard to imagine a better time to visit.
Documentation
You’ll need a passport with at least 90 days validity from your departure from the country. Considering that many of the countries you’ll connect through will require 3-6 months of validity, make sure your documents are up to date. No visa is required at this time, though the EU is still working on an electronic visa program that may be in place by 2027. You’ll be notified of any changes.
Pricing
Costs:
Pricing is by category and is “per person”, based on double occupancy. Single pricing is 200% of the share price. Cabin sizes vary, but all include the same amenities.
Lower Deck (portholes) Cabin 1-8 $2,650
Upper Deck (window, balcony) Cabin 9-19 $3,750
Pricing includes accommodations on board, all breakfasts and lunches, dinners as indicated, port taxes, national park fees, guides for tours, and our on-board tour manager. Initial deposit is $1,000 per person to confirm your reservation. Balance of payment is due March 31st, 2027. Payment by Visa or Mastercard is welcome. If you choose to pay for this cruise by check/Zelle/ACH, a discount of $175 per cabin is deducted from your final payment. Once registration is complete, you’ll receive confirmation of the reservation and either a link to make payment securely online or instructions for wire/check/Zelle.
What if I need to cancel my flight, tour or cruise?
Because payments are non-refundable, it’s strongly suggested that you consider travel insurance for this investment. The exception to this is in the event that a replacement is found to take the place of a cancelling party.
Both of the companies listed below have a policy rate calculator online. Enter the cost of your tour and personal data to receive a no-obligation cost estimate. Two recommended companies are:
Generali Travel Insurance
Travelex Insurance
Cancellation insurance will range in price based on the cost of your travel and the age of the applicant. Get a quote at the websites above before making a purchase. If you have a pre-existing condition to cover, you usually must purchase your policy within 2 weeks of the initial deposit.
Make Your Reservation!
If you have any questions about this tour, please contact Brad Cilley at brad@nwtravel.com by phone at 425 375 2676.
