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Having enjoyed numerous traditional, large-ship cruises around Europe over the past 20 years or so, I thought I knew what to expect on a holiday at sea. However, my recent micro-cruise along Croatia’s Coast with Unforgettable Croatia uncovered a lot of new experiences and perspectives – all in the best possible way. Here are a few things that genuinely surprised me about micro cruising as a seasoned cruiser.
AD Disclosure: In July 2025 I was invited on board MS Adris, for a one week sailing between Spilt and Dubrovnik you can view a similar itinerary here
The Ease of It All
Before we arrived at the port, our personal driver met us at arrivals, wheeled our cases to the air-conditioned vehicle, and drove us to port. Embarkation was refreshingly effortless. No airport-style terminals, no long queues, and no waiting to board with thousands of others.
Within minutes of arriving at the harbour in Split, we were welcomed aboard given a glass of bubbly, and offered a selection of freshly prepared capapes to enjoy in the air-conditioned dining room, plus the bags were already in our cabin.
At each port – it was all a very casual affair – no queueing for security checks each time we stepped on and off the ship, no swiping in and out, no cruise card to keep track of. The relaxed approach was refreshing (and i’ll admit) a little disorienting to begin with.
A More Personal Experience
With just 38 guests on board, the atmosphere was completely different to what I’d come to expect on a cruise holiday. I’ll admit I was a little concerned that this would mean I’d have to sit with so many ‘strangers’ at dinner each evening – we normally prefer a private table for two on other traditional cruises.
However, by day two, I’d learned the names of (almost all) our fellow guests and we were sharing stories of over dinner of our travels to Australia with fellow guests from Sydney, Brisbane and Margaret River. Or we were sharing tips of things to see in Italy with fellow guests from the USA who were on an extended trip around Europe for the summer. Our captain, crew, and our fabulous cruise director were all incredibly personable efficient, fun and informative.
This felt more like joining a private yacht than a small ship cruise. The only thing that reminded me of my previous ‘traditional’ cruise experiences was the muster. This was effortlessly completed over dinner on the night before we sailed. There was no need to go to a muster station and register our cruise cards or watch a video in our cabin. Totally seamless, efficient and effortless.
Access to ‘Hidden’ Ports
This was one of the biggest revelations. Ok, I know these places are not hidden if you’re from the region, but these ports are usually missing from most cruise itineraries.
Unlike large cruise ships that stick to major cities, our small ship docked directly in places like Vis, Mljet, and the old town of Korčula. We stepped off the ship and straight on to sun-kissed stone streets and tranquil harbour towns, with no tenders, long lines, or cruise terminals in sight.
It was wonderful to discover islands untouched by mass tourism where we were more likely to rub shoulders with other Croats – on holiday from Split or Zagreb, escaping the summer heat – than other tourists on holiday from the rest of Europe.
The Lack of Formality (in the Best Possible Way)
I knew from the helpful guide Unforgettable Croatia sent out ahead of our cruise that I didn’t need to pack my usual ‘chic evening’ or ‘formal night’ attire, but when I was on board it was refreshing to experience no formal nights, and no pressure to dress up.
It goes without saying that swimsuits were discouraged in the dining room during our three-course lunches, but the dress code was relaxed, and the dining experience was focused on high-quality meals in a casual setting.
The Slower, More Meaningful Itinerary
Rather than rushing between ports, the itinerary was a structured yet relaxed affair. As we were docked overnight in each location, we had long, unhurried days in each port and plenty of free time to explore independently without the usual travel anxiety of getting back to the ship before the gangway is raised.
If you’ve ever had an overnight in port on a traditional cruise itinerary – this is how relaxing and freeing each day was on board our micro cruise.
Additionally, each morning after breakfast, our swim stops in secluded turquoise coves and bays where we snorkelled, swam or Kayaked (sometimes all three) became a daily highlight for me. This is something that simply can’t happen on a traditional cruise ship experience.
I think the moment this resonated the most was during our last swim stop just outside Dubrovnik. We anchored just off Daksa island – a landmark I remembered sailing past on our way into Gruz port on my last cruise in the Adriatic. It was lovely to think that when I sail past again on future cruises to the region I can now say – “I swam there”.
A Stronger Connection to Local Culture
With a maximum group size of 38, all our included excursions felt like private small group tours. As excursions were included, yet entirely optional, some guests decided to explore on their own or spend more time on ship, so our group was sometimes no more than 20 people.
Our cruise director and local expert guides led us through small family-owned wineries, medieval villages, and breathtaking nature reserves. The crew shared stories about the islands and shared insights about aspects of Croatian life that no guidebook could ever capture. The result was a genuine connection to the places we visited, not just ticking off a checklist of sights.
The Gentle Buzz of the Port at Night
Without nightclub music, ship wide announcements, or the usual sea of crowds moving from venue to venue on a traditional cruise ship, the evenings on board after dinner were beautifully peaceful. There was no rushing to get a seat in the theatre or at the bar.
Many nights were spent on the upper deck or on the terrace watching people come and go along the quayside, with a glass of wine (Coronica Malvazija Istarska was my favourite), or a cold, refreshing Ožujsko beer, enjoying the sound of harbour after dark. As guests are asked to keep noise to a minimum after 10pm and as last orders at the the bar on board are at 11pm, the ship maintained a tranquil atmosphere. I’d forgotten how restorative that kind of quiet can be.
To Sum Up My Thoughts…
As someone who has long enjoyed and continues to enjoy traditional large-ship cruising, I wasn’t expecting to be so charmed by the micro-cruise experience. This trip around Croatia’s islands offered something new for me – a slower, more immersive, and personal way to discover ports and destinations.
If, like me, you are a seasoned cruiser with many nights at sea on your ledger, the change of pace micro-cruising offers might be a pleasant surprise for you too. The closest I have got to this feeling before is on a river cruise – but a micro-cruise feels even more exclusive, intimate and relaxed. I can’t recommend this experience enough.
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