Croatian Coast

5 BEST CROATIA CRUISES

If skimming the waves of the Adriatic appeals, stopping to swim by day and dine ashore by night, you’re not alone. With demand high for coastal cruising in Croatia, we seek out some of the best options

APT: ISLANDS OF CROATIA CRUISE

When a company quadruples capacity in just one destination, you know that it must be selling well – so it’s a sign of APT’s confidence in Croatia that it has added new dates, more itineraries and a second ship to its fleet in order to keep up with demand this summer. Custom new-build yacht Lady Eleganza is sailing nine-day voyages from May to October, stopping off to tour Dubrovnik, visit the Benedictine Convent in Hvar, explore Diocletian’s Palace in Split and see Marco Polo’s birthplace on the island of Korcula. A second ship, Princess Eleganza, is being refurbished and is due to join the fleet in spring. Prices start at £2,795 per person including flights, accommodation, some meals, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, and transfers (aptouring.co.uk).

SAIL CROATIA: DUBROVNIK RETURN

This Croatia specialist started out targeting Aussie backpackers on a budget, but 17 years on, the UK makes up the majority of its market. That’s particularly true for its cycling trips, which are growing in popularity with families and active travellers, and its top-end Elegance range that offers a little bit of luxury at an affordable price. The Dubrovnik Return route, new this year, is one of 100 Elegance cruises on offer and includes excursions to Diocletian’s Palace in Split, a walk along Dubrovnik’s city walls and a stop at the mesmerising Blue Cave in Vis. A seven-night Dubrovnik Return cruise on board the 38-guest Esperanza starts at £899 per person including breakfast and three-course lunch, a captain’s dinner, local village dinner, transfers, tour manager and Wi-Fi (sail-croatia.com).

Anti-clockwise from top right (this page): Old city, Dubrovnik; The Terrace, Emerald Azzurra; a swim stop with Sail Croatia; the harbour in Dubrovnik; Lady Eleganza’s outdoor lounge

ORBITAL TRAVEL: DELUXE DALMATIAN PARADISE CRUISE

Wine tasting in Korcula, olive oil tasting on board, a dinner cruise alongside Dubrovnik’s city walls and a party in a local village all await guests on this itinerary from small-ship operator Orbital Travel. You’ll get the inside story on Game of Thrones filming locations around Split and Dubrovnik, and enjoy views across the latter city on a cable car ride from the Old Town to Srd Mountain, all from the comfort of a deluxe-category vessel holding up to 38 passengers. A seven-night cruise starts from £1,499 per person, including flights from London, transfers, breakfast and three-course lunch, captain’s dinner, wine tasting in Bol, guided tours, cable car and entry to Mljet National Park (orbitaltravel.co.uk).

TRADEWIND VOYAGES: CROATIA HIGHLIGHTS

This new entrant on the tall-ship scene will see flagship vessel Golden Horizon flitting all over the world on different itineraries, so you’ll have to be quick to nab a spot on its sought-after Croatia sailings in July and August. Set off from Split with a short stop in the Italian city of Trieste, then admire the Venetian-inspired architecture of Rovinj, pristine landscapes of Mali Lošinj, hiking trails of Mljet and finally the much-photographed beach of Zlatni Rat on Bol – one of the best stretches of sand anywhere in Croatia. The 10-night sailing starts at £2,549 per person cruise-only departing July 31 (tradewindvoyages.com).

EMERALD CRUISES: CROATIA IN DEPTH

Be among the first guests to step on board new superyacht Emerald Azzurra, the first of its type to join the Emerald Cruises fleet, when it sets off from Dubrovnik for eight-day voyages to Venice this spring and summer. Calling in at Croatia’s most popular islands – try the local white wine in Korcula, dine with the yachting crowd in fashionable Hvar and explore the country’s medieval roots in Krk – expect opulence on board and elegance ashore. Prices start from £3,571 per person with departures in April, May and July 2022 and April or June-November 2023 (emeraldcruises.co.uk). Clockwise from top left (this page): Cycling with Sail Croatia; Golden Horizon; Rovinj, Croatia; Lady Eleganza; Zlatni Rat, Bol