Croatia cruise guide
By Jason Carter, Sea Sun Vacations · October 22, 2026 · 14 minute read
A cabin charter in Croatia, also sold as a small ship cruise, lets you book a single room on a crewed yacht, instead of renting the whole boat, and share the week with other guests. The room you choose decides how you sleep, how much light you get and how easily you reach the deck, so it is worth choosing carefully. The short version: pick the deck first, then the bed setup, then the size.
To compare cabins and reserve one, see Croatia by private yacht.
This guide explains how cabin charters work in Croatia, what to compare between different yachts, and how to choose the right room on Sea Sun Vacations’ 18-cabin yacht. It is part of our guide to small ship cruises in Croatia.
We are Sea Sun Vacations, a travel agency in Canton, Georgia. Jason Carter books cabins on our Croatia sailings and answers the questions in this guide every week. Read more about Jason Carter and Sea Sun Vacations.
IN THIS GUIDE
01What a cabin charter in Croatia is02The main types of cabin charter yachts in Croatia03Where cabin charters in Croatia sail04A catamaran or a small ship?05The best time for a cabin charter in Croatia06What to compare before you choose a yacht07How to choose a cabin on Sea Sun's 18-cabin yacht08What every room on Sea Sun's yacht has09Cabin price and what it includes10Which cabin is best for you?11Cabin charter or private charter in Croatia?12Sharing the yacht with other guests13Booking details to check before you pay
What a cabin charter in Croatia is
On a private charter, one group rents the whole yacht. On a cabin charter, each couple, friend or family books its own room, and the yacht sails a set route on set dates with guests from different groups on board.
You get the crew, the itinerary and the swim stops of a crewed yacht charter, at a per-person price, usually for seven nights and eight days. You do not get to choose the route or who else is on board.
Who cabin charters suit
Cabin charters in Croatia suit couples, friends traveling together, small families and solo travelers who want a crewed sailing week in Croatia without paying for a whole yacht. They also suit people who like meeting other travelers.
Who they do not suit
If your group is large enough to fill most of the yacht, or you want to sail on days that suit you rather than a set Saturday start, or you want to plan the route yourselves, a private charter of the whole yacht is usually the better choice.
The main types of cabin charter yachts in Croatia
Cabin charters in Croatia are sold on four main kinds of yacht. The type of yacht shapes the room you get far more than the brochure photos suggest.
| Type of yacht | Typical guests | Cabins | Crew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sailing yacht | 6 to 10 | Small, often with shared bathrooms | A skipper, sometimes a host |
| Sailing catamaran | 8 to 12 | Small doubles, usually with their own bathroom | A skipper and often a cook |
| Gulet or motor sailer | 10 to 30 | Small to medium, with their own bathroom | Captain and crew |
| Small ship or mini cruiser | 20 to 40 | Medium, with their own bathroom | Captain and full crew |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
Sailing yachts with a skipper
The smallest cabin charters are on sailing yachts with a skipper. They feel the most like real sailing, and they are the closest to the wind and the water. Cabins are small, and on some yachts the bathrooms are shared.
Catamarans
Cabin charters on sailing catamarans and motor catamarans are popular in Croatia, especially with younger travelers. Catamarans are stable and have a wide deck. Cabins are compact doubles in the two hulls, usually each with a small bathroom. A skipper sails the boat, and a cook or host often prepares meals.
Gulets and motor sailers
Gulets and motor sailers are larger wooden or steel charter yachts with more cabins, a bigger crew and more space on deck. Cabins vary widely from yacht to yacht.
Small ships and mini cruisers
Small ships, often called mini cruisers in Croatia, carry 20 to 40 guests in cabins that are closer to a small hotel room, with a full crew. Sea Sun’s 18-cabin yacht is in this group.
Where cabin charters in Croatia sail
Most cabin charters in Croatia sail in Dalmatia, home to the best-known destinations in the country, the long central and southern stretch of the coast, and start from Split, Dubrovnik, Šibenik or Trogir. The route decides which islands and destinations in Croatia you see.
From Split
Cabin charters from Split usually sail the islands of central Dalmatia: Brač, Hvar, Vis, Šolta and sometimes Korčula, then return to Split. Split, together with nearby Trogir, is the busiest starting point in Croatia, with the widest choice of yachts.
Between Split or Šibenik and Dubrovnik
One-way routes sail the whole Dalmatian coast in a week, from the northern islands to Dubrovnik or the other way. Sea Sun’s sailings follow this pattern, starting on a Saturday in Šibenik or Dubrovnik, with stops such as Skradin, Split, Bol, Stari Grad, Vis, Korčula and Pomena. You fly into one city and home from the other.
Round trips from Šibenik
A round trip from Šibenik keeps the week among the islands and destinations of central Dalmatia, close to Krka National Park, and ends where it began.
Trogir and the Kornati islands
Some cabin charters start in Trogir, close to Split’s airport, and sail north to the Kornati islands, a national park of bare, rocky islands west of Šibenik. Kornati routes are quieter and wilder than the central Dalmatian islands, and they suit travelers who want empty bays more than busy harbors on their cruise. Trogir itself is a walled town listed by UNESCO and an easy place to spend a night before boarding. The Kornati can also be reached on routes from Šibenik.
Northern routes
A few sailings start further north, among quieter destinations, in the Kvarner Gulf. Sea Sun has a northern sailing from Opatija to Šibenik on some dates.
A catamaran or a small ship?
These are the two cabin charter options most travelers weigh up in Croatia, and they are very different weeks.
On a catamaran
A cabin charter on a sailing catamaran or a power catamaran puts you on a smaller boat, with eight to 12 guests, a skipper and often a cook. You are closer to the water, the group is small, and the skipper can pick a different bay on a whim. Cabins are compact and the deck is shared by everyone. Catamarans in Croatia often anchor in bays at night, so dinner may be on board or a short tender ride away.
On a small ship
A room on a small ship like Sea Sun’s yacht is larger, with more storage and a proper desk, and the yacht carries a full crew. The deck has more space, plus features such as a hot tub and a sauna. The yacht follows a set route and spends every night in port, so you walk straight ashore in the evening.
Which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Catamarans suit younger travelers and groups who want a sociable, outdoor week on a small boat. A small ship suits travelers who want more space, a private bathroom in a larger room and a crewed week with less effort. If you are unsure, compare the sizes side by side.
The best time for a cabin charter in Croatia
Cabin charters and cruises in Croatia run from late spring to mid-autumn, when the weather in Croatia is warm and settled. Sea Sun’s sailings run from early May to mid-October.
June and September are the best months for many travelers, with warm water and fewer crowds. July and August are the warmest and busiest weeks, and the most popular sailings fill first. May and October are the quietest and, on Sea Sun’s sailings, the lowest-priced weeks of the season.
What to compare before you choose a yacht
Before you choose a room, choose the right yacht for your trip to Croatia. These are the questions that matter most.
Size
Ask every company in Croatia for the size of the room in square feet or square meters, not just a photo. A room on a small sailing yacht can be a fraction of the size of one on a small ship.
The bathroom
Ask whether every room has its own bathroom, as not all charter boats in Croatia offer one. On some smaller yachts, two cabins share one.
The bed
Ask whether the bed is a double, two singles or a bunk, and how long it is.
Windows and light
Ask whether the room has a window or a porthole, whether it opens, and what the view is.
Air conditioning
Ask whether the room has its own air conditioning, and whether it runs all night or only when the yacht is plugged in at a marina.
The crew
Ask who sails the boat and who cooks. On a small boat, the skipper may do both. On a larger yacht, the crew is bigger.
The price per person
Compare the price per person for the week and what it includes. A lower price on a smaller yacht often means a smaller room, fewer meals or more extras.
How to choose a cabin on Sea Sun's 18-cabin yacht
Sea Sun’s yacht has 18 cabins on two decks, for up to 36 guests. Every cabin has its own bathroom and its own air conditioning. The crew lives in a separate area of the yacht. Here is how the cabins compare.
| Cabins | Deck | Size | Beds | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 8 | Lower deck | 136 to 187 square feet (12.6 to 17.4 square meters) | Twin or double. Cabins 5 and 6 are double only | At least two portholes, which do not open |
| 9 to 12 | Main deck, entered from the outside deck | 130 to 156 square feet (12.1 to 14.5 square meters) | Twin or double | At least two windows or portholes |
| 13 to 18 | Main deck, entered from inside | 135 to 156 square feet (12.5 to 14.5 square meters) | 13 and 14 are twin. 15 to 18 are twin or double. 16 can take a third bed | At least two windows or portholes |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
Step 1: choose the deck
The lower deck has the largest cabins on the yacht, up to 187 square feet. The portholes let in light but cannot be opened. These cabins are a good choice if space matters most to you.
The main deck has cabins that are a little smaller, with at least two windows or portholes, one in the bathroom and one or two in the bedroom. They are closer to the deck and the sea view, with fewer stairs to climb.
Step 2: choose inside or outside access
On the main deck, cabins 9 to 12 open onto the outside deck. You step out of your door straight into the fresh air. Cabins 13 to 18 open onto an inside corridor, which is more private and sheltered.
Step 3: choose the bed setup
Almost every room can be set up with two single beds or with the beds pushed together as a double. Each single bed is 80 by 195 centimeters, a little over 31 by 76 inches.
- For a couple: any room set up as a double. Cabins 5 and 6, on the lower deck, are double only.
- For friends or colleagues: a room set up as twins. Cabins 13 and 14 are twin only.
- For a parent and a teenager, or three friends: cabin 16, which can take a third bed.
Step 4: think about the stairs
There is no elevator on the yacht, and some areas are reached by stairs. Guests who find stairs difficult usually prefer the main deck.
Step 5: book early
Cabins are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you book, the more choice you have, especially on the most popular summer sailings.
What every room on Sea Sun's yacht has
Whichever one you choose, it comes with the same features:
- A private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- A writing desk, a chair and a sofa
- At least one mirror and night lamps
- A safe, operated by key or code
- A hair dryer
- A wardrobe and luggage space under the bed
- A speaker for announcements and music
- Soundproofing and a fireproof door
- A key card that opens the door and turns on the power
The cabins are cleaned every day. Wi-Fi is included on board.
Cabin price and what it includes
On Sea Sun’s sailings, the price of a cabin is per person, based on two people sharing. Published prices run from €3,800 to €5,000 per person for seven nights, depending on the date and the yacht.
The price includes seven nights on board, daily cabin cleaning, the captain and crew, seven breakfasts and six lunches, the captain’s dinner, swim stops, coffee, tea and purified water, air conditioning and Wi-Fi, the hot tub, the sauna and water toys without a motor.
Not included are other drinks, the Croatian tourist tax of €60 per person paid on board, crew gratuities (€250 per guest is recommended), flights, transfers and travel insurance.
Deposits and payments
Sea Sun’s published terms are a non-refundable deposit of €1,500 per cabin, 50% of the balance six months before the sailing and the final payment four months before. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Questions about a specific cabin? Call Jason at (404) 465-4081.
Which cabin is best for you?
| You are | The cabin we would suggest | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A couple who want the most space | A lower-deck room set up as a double | The largest cabins on board, and the best choice for space |
| A couple who want light and a view | A main-deck room set up as a double, for the view | Windows and quick access to the deck |
| Two friends | A twin room, such as 13 or 14 | Two single beds |
| A parent and a teenager | Cabin 16 | Can take a third bed |
| A guest who finds stairs hard | A main-deck room | Fewer stairs to the deck |
| Light sleepers | Ask Jason which cabins are quietest on your sailing | Every room is soundproofed, but layouts differ |
| A small group of friends | Several cabins close together | Book at the same time for neighboring cabins |
Cabin charter or private charter in Croatia?
The main choice for most travelers is between a cabin charter and a private charter of a whole yacht. Here is how they compare.
| Cabin charter | Private charter | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is on board | You and other guests | Your group only |
| Price | Per person for the trip | One charter price for the whole yacht |
| Route | Set in advance | Planned around your group |
| Best for | Couples, friends and small families | Groups large enough to fill the yacht |
For a couple, a cabin charter in Croatia is almost always the better value. For a group of 20 or more, a private charter often costs a similar amount per person and gives the whole group the yacht to itself. Between those sizes, it is worth pricing both. On Sea Sun’s yacht, the inclusions, the crewed service, the islands and the destinations are the same either way. The difference is who else is on board and who chooses the trip’s route.
What stays the same
On either kind of charter, you get the same cabins, the same sea view from the sun deck, the same crew and the same swim stops. The yacht is not a motor yacht that races between ports. It sails a steady route by day, so everyone on board has time to enjoy the islands and destinations along the coast of Croatia.
Sharing the yacht with other guests
On a cabin charter or small ship cruise, you share the yacht with other travelers. On Sea Sun’s sailings, that means up to 36 guests in all.
What it feels like
The yacht is far smaller and quieter than a large cruise ship, and the cruise feels more like a week on a private yacht. Breakfast and lunch are served on board, and most evenings guests go ashore in small groups for dinner in the harbor towns of Croatia. You spend as much or as little time with the other guests as you like.
The destinations
The yacht spends every night in a harbor, so you can explore each of the destinations on the route at your own pace, and enjoy the evening when the day-trip crowds have gone. These are some of the best destinations on the coast. A typical route sails from Šibenik to Dubrovnik, calling at Skradin, Split, Bol and Stari Grad, Vis, Korčula and Pomena, with swim stops among the islands along the way.
When a group outgrows a cabin charter
If your group would fill most of the yacht’s 18 cabins, you can charter the whole yacht instead and have it to yourselves.
Booking details to check before you pay
The start day
Most cabin charters and small ship cruises in Croatia start and end on a Saturday. Sea Sun’s published sailings all start on a Saturday, for seven nights. Plan your flights so you arrive a day or two before, and give yourself time on the Saturday morning.
How many days and nights
A week on a cabin charter usually means seven nights and eight days, counting the boarding day and the leaving day. Check what time you board on the first of those days and what time you leave on the last.
The price per person
Check whether the price is per person or per cabin, and whether it is based on two people sharing. On Sea Sun’s sailings, the price is per person, based on two to a cabin.
The cancellation policy
Read the cancellation policy before you pay the deposit, and check that your travel insurance policy covers the same reasons for cancelling. Sea Sun’s deposit of €1,500 per room is non-refundable, and the payment schedule runs to the final payment four months before the cruise. Ask for the full cancellation policy in writing, and buy travel insurance that covers it.
Questions about cabin charters in Croatia
Can I book a cabin charter as a solo traveler?
Cabin prices in Croatia are usually based on two people sharing, and that is true on Sea Sun’s sailings. Ask Jason about the price for traveling on your own.
Is a cabin charter good for a first trip to Croatia?
Yes. You see many of the best-known destinations and islands in Croatia in one week, with a crew doing the sailing and the planning.
Do I need sailing experience?
No. The captain and crew sail the yacht. On a cabin charter with a skipper on a smaller boat, you may be invited to help, but you never have to.
Can children come?
The minimum age on Sea Sun’s yacht is 12.
Can we choose our cabin?
Cabins are assigned first come, first served. Tell Jason your preferences when you book.
What should I pack?
Pack light and soft. Luggage goes under the bed, so a soft bag is better than a hard suitcase.
Summary: choose the yacht, then the cabin
A cabin charter in Croatia is the simplest way for a couple or a small group to spend a crewed week on the Adriatic. Start by choosing the right yacht: the size of the cabins, the bathroom, the windows and the crew differ hugely between sailing yachts, catamarans, gulets and small ships. Then choose your room by deck, by bed setup and by how you like to sleep.
On Sea Sun’s yacht, every room has its own bathroom and air conditioning, the lower deck has the largest cabins, and the main deck has the windows and the quickest route to the sun deck. Book early for the most choice. For more on the experience on board, see our guide to luxury small ship cruises in Croatia.
Reserve a cabin
Tell us your dates and your preferred room, and Jason will check what is open.
Call (404) 465-4081, email [email protected], or see current sailing dates and prices.
Planning the route? Read our guide to the Split to Dubrovnik cruise.
