One Week on a Luxury Small Ship with Cruise Croatia

Spend a week with me cruising along the stunning Croatian coastline on board the MS Adris, with Unforgettable Travel Company and Cruise Croatia. If you’ve already booked this journey, consider this your insider’s guide to what awaits you. And if you’ve never thought about trying a small-ship, luxury micro-cruise – this might just inspire your next adventure.

You might also be interested in my other posts about cruising Croatia and the Adriatic:

📌Essential Mediterranean Cruise Tips
📌Dubrovnik Port Guide
📌How to Save Money in Dubrovnik
📌Cavtat: A Relaxing Alternative to Dubrovnik
📌Cruise diary: Adriatic Gems
📌Things That Surprised Me About Microcruising

➡️ Watch the video of this trip ⬅️ 

AD Disclosure: In July 2025 I was invited on board MS Adris. I retain full control over all editorial rights with this blog post and all opinions are mine. I have not been compensated to write this blog post.

Itinerary Overview

Life on board this small ship strikes a perfect balance between relaxation and exploration, and every day feels like its own little adventure.

In this post, I’ll share with you the wonderful experiences from our journey:


🏖️Swimming off the back of the ship in crystal-clear, secluded bays

🐟Tasting authentic Croatian cuisine, both on board and ashore – all prepared with the freshest ingredients

🍷Exploring medieval towns such as Trogir and Korčula, and enjoying wine tastings in Hvar

🏝️Experiencing the beautifully quiet and authentic island of Vis

🌳Visiting Mljet National Park, with its serene salt lakes

🏰And finally, we'll finish up in Dubrovnik – with its incredible city walls and history, offering a fantastic cinematic finale to our trip

Day 1 – Arrival in Split and Boarding the MS Adris

Our journey began with a very early morning flight from London Gatwick. The flight itself took just over two and a half hours. Soon after take-off we were above the rain clouds and on our way to Split.

We landed in sunny 30-degree heat on a Saturday morning. The process between airport and port couldn’t have been easier – our private driver met us in the arrivals hall, holding a name board, and within moments our bags were whisked away to an air-conditioned vehicle which was our private transfer.

After handing us a bottle of cool water each, Tomas, our driver, took us straight to the port – which was around 45 minutes’ travel time – where we were warmly welcomed by the Unforgettable Croatia team, who helped us with our luggage.

As boarding didn’t begin until 2pm, we had time to explore Split. Just a short walk from the pier, the Old Town is full of narrow streets, pavement cafés, and the lively Riva promenade. It’s the perfect pre-cruise introduction to Croatia.

At 2pm we stepped on board MS Adris. We were greeted with a welcome drink and delicious canapés. After some brief paperwork, the crew showed us to our cabin, and our luggage was also in the cabin ready and waiting. This smooth and personal check-in certainly set the tone for the week ahead.

More about Small Ship Cruising?

So, a little about small-ship cruising in Croatia. The ship usually remains docked in port overnight, and more often than not you’ll be moored right alongside other vessels. And when I say alongside, I really mean side by side – just like on a river cruise, where ships often tie up next to one another in port.

Depending on when you arrive, in port your ship might not be the first one to dock so you may need to cross through the middle of other ships to get ashore.

It’s all part of the adventure, but do watch your step when you’re crossing between ships. Think of it like the London Underground and mind the gap – only instead of changing trains, you’re crossing ships.

📌Related Post: Things that Surprised me about Small Ship Cruising

Later that afternoon, we joined our complimentary guided tour of Split. There was one large cruise ship in port that day, but as we didn’t start our tour until 3pm, the town was far less crowded. It was lovely to realise we didn’t have the stress of returning to the ship by a certain time.

Split is a wonderful port to explore on foot. This UNESCO World Heritage city is home to the impressive Diocletian’s Palace, an abundance of Roman architecture, and excellent gelato.

That evening, after freshening up, we enjoyed a three-course welcome dinner on board, complete with a speech from the captain and crew outlining the week’s itinerary and essential safety information. Tonight was the first of two included dinners on board:

Life on Board A Small Ship Cruise – Food & Dining

So, a little more about what’s included on board with Cruise Croatia.

Every morning begins with a warm buffet breakfast, served between 7 and 9am. There are lots of delicious options to choose from each day so you are spoiled for choice and can eat something completely different each day without running out of options.

Lunch and dinner are set three-course menus, featuring starters, mains, and desserts prepared with fresh, local produce sourced from markets along the way. There’s also salad and plenty of bread at every meal.

Expect Mediterranean and Croatian flavours – fresh fish, seafood, pasta, and seasonal ingredients.

If you have dietary requirements, the crew make every effort to accommodate – just be sure to let the operations team know in advance.

Complimentary fruit is available throughout the day, filtered drinking water is provided from morning until midnight, and tea and coffee in the salon are also complimentary.

📌Related Post: MS Adris Ship Tour

Day 2 – Trogir

We set sail from Split at 8am for Trogir. A hearty breakfast was served in the restaurant between 7 and 9am, and after breakfast I took some time to explore the ship. I’ve put a full ship tour on my YouTube Channel.

At 10am we arrived at our first swim stop and stayed until about 12:30, giving us plenty of time to relax on board, take a dip, or both.

Daily Swim Stops

So let me tell you more about the daily swim stops

The daily swim stops were honestly one of the highlights of this cruise. Depending on the weather and season, the captain anchors in secluded bays each morning after breakfast. Ladders at the back of the ship make it easy to slip into the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea – or, if you’re adventurous, you can simply dive straight in. The water is beautifully refreshing without ever feeling cold.

There are lilos, noodles, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and even snorkelling equipment available. Two freshwater showers on the swim platform mean you can rinse off after your swim.

We spotted plenty of local sealife, including an octopus at one stop. An hour or two spent snorkelling and kayaking passed far too quickly and became one of the most memorable parts of each day on board.

📌Related Post: Mediterranean Cruise Tips

After the swim stop, we headed back to the cabin to freshen up before lunch, which today was a Caprese Salad to start, followed by Chicken marinated in soy sauce with pumpkin pure and ratatouille and an Apple strudel to finish

Over lunch we sailed towards Trogir, arriving at 2pm. Then there was time to either explore on your own or simply relax on board.

Often described as a ‘mini Venice’, Trogir lies on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge. It’s home to a labyrinth of medieval alleyways, a charming marina, UNESCO-protected streets, and is a mix of Renaissance, baroque, and Romanesque buildings – just 15 miles from Split.

We joined a guided walking tour at 4pm, which revealed some of Trogir’s hidden gems. Along the way we sampled more gelato and tried Rafioli, a local sweet treat.

That evening, after freshening up with a cool drink on the terrace, we dined ashore at Don Dino – a family-run restaurant known for its warm service and excellent cuisine. This was one of the recommendations provided by Unforgettable Travel Company, who even organise reservations for you. They also have an app listing your itinerary and dining bookings, which makes everything so easy and stress-free.

After dinner, we strolled along the marina to soak up the atmosphere before heading back to the ship. From midnight, a no-noise policy on ship ensures restful sleep. But in July and August, you can naturally expect some lively harbour sounds drifting in from shore now and again – but nothing to prevent a good night’s rest.

Day 3 – Vis

This morning we sailed towards the peaceful island of Vis, famed for its seclusion and isolation. After another wonderful breakfast and refreshing swim stop, lunch was served:

To start there was Ravioli with Adriatic shrimp. For main we enjoyed Sea bass with green beans in beurre blanc sauce, and for dessert a Cherry pie with ice cream completed our meal.

Vis was once a Yugoslav naval base and off-limits to visitors. Its long isolation has preserved aits unique charm, offering a glimpse of the Mediterranean as it once was. We enjoyed a relaxed afternoon exploring the picturesque streets and seafront, and even spotted a few filming locations from Mama Mia 2.

After some souvenir shopping – and yet another gelato at Pa Ti Odoli– we returned to the ship for a local wine and olive oil tasting session with fellow guests.

For dinner, we hadn’t made reservations in advance, so we wandered the quayside and eventually settled on Mama Mia 2 on the edge of the harbour. I can honestly say their cheeseburger was incredible – tasty, generous, and excellent value for money.

Day 4 – Hvar

We had initially planned an early start for the optional excursion to the Blue Cave today, but strong winds meant it wasn’t safe enough to visit. Instead, we sailed straight to Hvar through the Pakleni archipelago – but not before a tasty breakfast and a refreshing swim stop.

Lunch today was Vegetable risotto followed by a succulent and perfectly cooked Duck breast with roman gnocchi with fava bean and carrot puree and a Lemon, almond & olive oil cake to finish.

After lunch, the ship dropped us off at Hvar’s quayside. Then we began with a short walking tour of the Town before joining a coach for a 30-minute drive to Ventus Winery, a family-run vineyard where we sampled excellent local wines.

After a wonderful afternoon at the winery, we returned to Hvar with some free time to explore further and stopped at the fortress before heading back to the ship.

Hvar Town itself is lively and cosmopolitan, with stunning sunsets and plenty of bars, cafés, and sights along the waterfront.

Dinner this evening was at Plava Alga, and we chose this mainly for its waterfront location overlooking the bay – and conveniently also our ship and the excellent seafood and selection of tasty dishes on offer. The meal was fantastic, the service impeccable, and the atmosphere perfectly relaxed.

After dinner, we took another stroll along the quayside to soak up the atmosphere and hunt down for gelato before heading back on board.

Day 5 – Korčula

At 7am we set sail for Korčula, said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. After another excellent breakfast and one more unforgettable swim stop, lunch was served:

Lunch today was an incredibly tasty Mushroom and leek quiche to start followed by perfectly cooked Sea bass with black rice, smoked mussels and shrimps and a decadent Carob cake to finish.

When we arrived in Korcula we joined a guided walking tour of the old town. Here we discovered the ingenious fishbone-shaped street layout, designed to protect against sea winds and learned about the rich history of the island and the vibrant daily life of this captivating city. The fortified town was once ruled by the Venetians, and every turn seemed to deliver the most beautiful views.

Dinner ashore tonight was at the Michelin-starred Filippi. Perched above the city walls, the restaurant offered breathtaking views of the Pelješac Channel and surrounding islands of Korcula – the perfect setting for a memorable evening. While the food was tasty, we probably wouldn’t return as the service did not match the Michelin Standard.

Day 6 – Mljet & Ston

We left Korčula early this morning and headed inland to Mljet National Park, famous for its serene salt lakes. No swim stop before arrival today, as one awaited us at our destination.

We docked at the charming village of Pomona. Remember I mentioned about crossing others ships; As we needed to be the first to depart today, we were the outermost vessel – which meant crossing a total of nine other ships to reach the harbour and I think this was our record for this trip.

Once we finally reached the quayside Our cruise director led us on a short orientation walk through the park, giving us a glimpse of its remarkable surroundings. Options included swimming in the lakes, hiring a bicycle or kayak, or visiting the island of St Mary’s.

We chose a relaxed stroll, spotting wildlife along the way, before returning to the ship for lunch: Lunch today was Vitelllo tonnato followed by Canelloni with spinach & ricotta And a Blueberry Panna Cotta to finish.

In the afternoon, we sailed to the village of Slano. From there, a coach took us to Ston, where we hopped on a smaller boat to Banja Island for oyster tasting.

Ston is renowned for its medieval ramparts, oyster farms, and salt production. On the island we sampled plenty of local wine and freshly caught oysters and mussels, and for those less keen on shellfish there was delicious prosciutto, cheese.

With views like these, I truly didn’t want to leave.

Back on board in Slano, it was time for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner the second of our two diners on board – and the evening also included live music and dancing.

On the menu tonight was Roast Beef followed by a succulent Tuna steak with Swiss chard and a beautifully light Tiramisu to finish. A perfect celebration of an unforgettable week.

Day 7 – Dubrovnik

We left Slano just after 7am and sailed for our final port – Dubrovnik. After breakfast, there was plenty of time to enjoy the views of the coast and spend time in the pool.

One of the most appealing aspects of this small-ship cruise was the personal service. With a maximum of 38 guests and around 10 crew, everyone quickly learns each other’s names. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and sociable, The passenger mix on board our sailing were guests from UK, Australia, and the USA.

What's the Dress Code Onboard a luxury Small Cruise Ship?

Life on board MS Adris and a small Ship Luxury Cruise is casual. Comfortable clothing and footwear are perfect during the day, while the evenings are smart-casual. 

For the Captain’s Dinner, last night a slightly dressier outfit was suggested – but jackets and ties or cocktail dresses were not required. 

After breakfast we were treated to a wonderful scenic sail around the majestic Dubrovnik city walls. and we really did have the best vantage point from the sea which allowed us to also take in views of Lokrum Islands and the legendary Buža bars which cling to the cliffs outside the city walls.

Then came our final swim stop, just outside Gruž Port on Daksa Island. it was really sad to think that this was our very last swim stop of our cruise and the last chance we had to dive into the blue Adriatic waters. So Today we made sure we made most of every second of this opportunity.

After we docked in Gruž Port (while watching the bungee jumpers) lunch was served in the restaurant today It was a refreshing very tasty tomato soup followed by Lamb with Pea puree and Duchess potatoes And there was a delicious Chocolate Delight for dessert

From Gruž Port, a short complimentary coach transfer took us to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Here We joined a guided walking tour of this UNESCO-listed city. With no major cruise ships in port, it was noticeably quieter than usual, though still bustling.

Related post: 📌Full port guide to Dubrovnik

Having visited Dubrovnik many times before, we decided to do something different this time. After an early dinner in town at Kamenice – and, of course, another gelato at Peppino’s– we attempted to get a seat the Buža Bar but as we expected it was too crowded. So we headed straight to the cable car to Mount Srđ to watch the sunset.

The climb to the cable car station was humid, but the views at the summit were more than worth it. As the sun dipped, the crowds grew and it’s clear this is a very popular destination for sunset.

Seeing the sunset on Mount srd was something I had wanted to do for a long time but unfortunately larger cruise ships I’ve been on previous port calls usually leave without enough time to see the sunset AND head back down to Gruz port before the ship sails.

So it was lovely to be able to watch the sunset and be relaxed about making a leisurely way through the Old Town Back to Gruz Port

A complimentary return shuttle was available back to the ship earlier on in the evening, but we decided to spend some more time at the summit and wait for the queues for the return cable car to subside before making our way back down. We then wandered through the old town, filled up our water bottle at the fountain and caught the reliable and fantastically cheap local bus back to the port for just €1.73 each.

Back on board, we settled our bar tab, gave gratuities, and then finished off some final packing.

Day 8 – Disembarkation

Sadly, no swim stop today. We left our luggage outside our cabin by 9am ready for collection, and there was still time for one final breakfast as our flight wasn’t until 1pm

After breakfast we spent a little while on the sun deck, watching the larger cruise ships arrive, before it was time to disembark at 10am. Our luggage was already waiting on the quayside, and our driver was waiting to take us on our private transfer directly to Dubrovnik Airport for our flight home.

Our week with Cruise Croatia and the Unforgettable Travel Company on MS Adris certainly showed us the best of Croatia – historic towns, breathtaking coastlines, delicious cuisine, and crystal-clear waters – all from the comfort of a luxury small ship with exceptional crew.

Videos you may enjoy: