Small ship cruises in Croatia
By Jason Carter, Sea Sun Vacations · October 19, 2026 · 20 minute read
Seven nights on the Adriatic, with no more than 36 guests on board. Sea Sun Vacations’ small ship cruises in Croatia sail the Dalmatian coast between Šibenik and Dubrovnik, with a private cabin for every guest, a swim stop most days and every night in a different harbor town.
Sailing dates, cabin prices and booking are on our Croatia private yacht cruise page.
A private cabin
Every cabin has its own bathroom, its own air conditioning and a proper bed, never a bunk.
A small ship, not a mega-ship
Thirty-six guests at most, so there are no lines and no crowds on deck.
A swim most days
The yacht stops in a quiet bay along the islands so you can swim in the Adriatic.
Every night in port
You spend each evening in a harbor town, free to walk, eat and explore.
A hot tub and a sauna
Both are on board, and both are part of the price.
Big cruise ships see Croatia from the outside. They dock in Split or Dubrovnik for a few hours and sail on with thousands of passengers. A small ship cruise sees the coast from the inside: the island harbors, the swim stops and the evenings in old stone towns, with a new place to explore every day.
Cabins from €3,800 per person for seven nights, based on two people sharing.
IN THIS GUIDE
01Two ways to sail: a cabin on a sailing, or the whole ship022027 sailing dates and prices03What a small ship cruise in Croatia really is04The main types of small ship cruises in Croatia05What makes a small ship cruise in Croatia luxury06The yacht: 18 cabins, a hot tub and a sauna07The itinerary: a week from Šibenik to Dubrovnik08Shore tours and things to explore in each port09Planning the rest of your trip to Croatia10Choosing your cabin11What the cruise costs and what is included12How to compare small ship cruises in Croatia13Is a small ship cruise right for you?14Why book your Croatia cruise with Sea Sun Vacations
Two ways to sail: a cabin on a sailing, or the whole ship
Sea Sun offers two ways to spend a week on this yacht in Croatia. Most travelers only know about one of them.
Book a cabin on a Sea Sun sailing
For couples, friends and small families. You book one or more cabins on one of Sea Sun’s set sailings and share the yacht with other guests, up to 36 people in all. Prices run from €3,800 to €5,000 per person for seven nights.
Charter the whole yacht for your group
For family reunions, weddings, company trips and any group that can fill most of the 18 cabins. Nobody else is on board, and the route is planned around your group. Read more about chartering a yacht in Croatia for your group.
| A cabin on a sailing | The whole yacht | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is on board | You and other guests | Your group only |
| Price | Per person | One price for the whole yacht |
| Dates | Sea Sun’s set sailing dates | The week your group chooses, if it is open |
| Route | The route set for that sailing | Planned with Jason for your group |
Both use the same yacht, the same crew and the same inclusions.
2027 sailing dates and prices
These are Sea Sun’s published 2027 small ship cruises in Croatia, all on the Dalmatian coast. Prices are per person for seven nights, based on two people sharing a cabin. Cabins are assigned first come, first served, so the earlier you book, the more choice you have.
| Ship | Dates | Route | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swallow and Lastavica | May 1 to 8 | Round trip from Šibenik | €3,800 |
| Swallow and Lastavica | May 8 to 15 | Šibenik to Dubrovnik | €3,800 |
| Nera | July 3 to 10 | Dubrovnik to Šibenik | €5,000 |
| Swallow | July 10 to 17 | Šibenik to Dubrovnik | €4,000 |
| Swallow | July 17 to 24 | Dubrovnik to Šibenik | €4,000 |
| Lastavica | October 2 to 9 | Dubrovnik to Šibenik | €3,800 |
| Swallow | October 9 to 16 | Round trip from Šibenik | €3,800 |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
Dates and prices can change. See the current list and reserve on our Croatia by Private Yacht page.
What a small ship cruise in Croatia really is
Croatia cruises mean two very different things, depending on who is selling them.
For the big cruise lines, a Croatia cruise means a large ship sailing the eastern Mediterranean, with a stop of a few hours in Dubrovnik or Split. You see the famous old towns, but only in the middle of the day, along with the passengers of every other liner in port that day.
For small ship cruise companies, cruising in Croatia means sailing the Croatian coast itself for a whole week, on a vessel small enough to fit into the island harbors. You stop somewhere new every day, explore a new town every evening, swim most days and spend each night in port.
This page is about the second kind, and the luxury end of it. Sea Sun Vacations sells cabins on its own sailings, on 18-cabin ships.
Small ship cruises compared with large cruise ships
| Large cruise ship | Sea Sun’s small ship | |
|---|---|---|
| Guests | Several thousand | Up to 36 |
| Time in Croatia | Usually one or two port days | Seven nights |
| Ports | Large ports such as Split and Dubrovnik | Island harbors and old towns, plus Split and Dubrovnik |
| Swim stops | No | Most days |
| Nights | At sea | In port |
| Formal nights | Often | No |
A large liner has more restaurants, shows and pools. A small ship cruise has more of Croatia. If the coast itself is the reason for your travel, the small ship wins.
The main types of small ship cruises in Croatia
Search for Croatia cruises, or for Dalmatian coast cruises, and you will find several kinds of cruises under the same name. It helps to know which one you are looking at.
Big-liner Mediterranean cruises
Large cruise lines include Dubrovnik, Split or Zadar on Mediterranean and Adriatic cruises, usually along with Venice, Greece or Montenegro. Croatia gets a day or two of the cruise. These cruises suit travelers who want to see several countries and do not mind brief stops.
Standard small ship cruises
This is the most common kind of Croatia cruise. Ships of roughly 15 to 40 cabins sail a week-long itinerary between Split, Dubrovnik and the islands. Most companies grade their ships into classes, from older, simpler ships with small cabins up to new ships with larger cabins and more room on deck.
Party and young-crowd cruises
Some companies run week-long Adriatic trips aimed at travelers in their twenties and thirties, with nights out in Hvar Town and Split. They are often the cheapest small ship cruises, and they are a very different holiday from a calm week of luxury cruising.
Bike and boat, and hike and boat cruises
Some boats carry bicycles or run guided hikes and tours from each port. The boat is the hotel, and the days are spent cycling or walking on the islands.
Sailing trips and gulets
Traditional wooden gulets and sailing yachts take fewer guests, often 8 to 16, and sail when the wind allows. Cabins are usually small, and there is less room to spread out.
Luxury small ship cruises
At the top of the market are the luxury small ships: larger cabins, each with its own bathroom, more space on deck and features such as a hot tub and a sauna. Sea Sun’s sailings are in this class, aimed at couples and friends who want comfort and a calm week. They are not party cruises, and they are not sailing trips with tiny cabins.
What makes a small ship cruise in Croatia luxury
Luxury is a word every Croatian cruise company uses, and luxury cruising means different things on different ships. On a small ship, it comes down to a few things you can check before you book.
Space
Luxury cruising starts with room to breathe. Cabins of 130 to 187 square feet, each with its own bathroom, are large for a small ship in Croatia. Many of the older ships on the coast have cabins half that size.
Fewer guests
Thirty-six guests is a small number for a cruise. It means a quiet sun deck, no lines for breakfast and a crew that knows your name by the second day.
Comfort on board
A hot tub, a sauna and air conditioning in every cabin are part of the luxury standard on the best Croatian cruises. They are still rare on Croatian small ships, so ask about each one when you compare.
The right ports
A luxury cruise in Croatia is as much about where you spend the evening as where you sleep. Nights in port in Skradin, Split, Stari Grad, Vis, Korčula, Pomena and Dubrovnik mean dinner in a different harbor town every night of your travel.
Someone looking after your travel
The last part of luxury cruising is service before you sail. Jason handles the questions, the booking and the rest of your travel plans, from flights to a hotel in Dubrovnik.
The yacht: 18 cabins, a hot tub and a sauna
Sea Sun’s Croatia cruises sail on Lastavica and Swallow, two 18-cabin ships, and on some dates on a third yacht, Nera. Each carries up to 36 guests. Think of it as a balance between a cruise ship and a private boat: built with a high finish and the space of a small cruise ship. You get a proper cabin and room to relax, without sharing it with hundreds of other passengers.
On deck
There is a hot tub with sun loungers around it, and a sauna on board. At the swim stops, the water toys come out: everything without a motor is included. Wi-Fi and air conditioning are included, and coffee, tea and purified water are available all week.
What a day on board looks like
The day on a small ship cruise in Croatia has a simple shape.
- Morning. Breakfast is served on board. The yacht leaves port and sails for the next island.
- Midday. The yacht stops in a quiet bay for a swim. Lunch is served on board on six days of the week.
- Afternoon. The yacht reaches the next island town. You are free to go ashore and explore.
- Evening. Dinner ashore in a harbor restaurant, a walk through the old town, a drink back on the sun deck.
There is no schedule you must follow once the yacht is in port. You can stay ashore until late, and it will be in the same harbor in the morning.
The cruise director and special events
Sea Sun’s July 2027 sailing includes a cruise director and specially planned events during the week.
The itinerary: a week from Šibenik to Dubrovnik
Sea Sun’s cruising itinerary follows the Dalmatian coast between Šibenik and Dubrovnik, covering the best-known destinations in Croatia, in one direction or the other, with time to explore every port. This is the itinerary for the July 10 to 17, 2027 sailing on Swallow. Other dates follow a similar itinerary. The captain may change a port because of the weather or the sea, so treat this as a sample itinerary, not a promise.
Day 1: Skradin
Your cruise starts in Šibenik, and the yacht sails up the river channel to Skradin, a small waterfront town at the entrance to Krka National Park. The waterfalls and turquoise pools of the park are a short trip upriver, and the park is at its quietest in the late afternoon. In the evening, Skradin’s restaurants are known for local wine and for risotto.
Day 2: Split
Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and the heart of the Dalmatian coast, and the city is easy to explore on foot. Its old town grew up inside Diocletian’s Palace, built for a Roman emperor about 1,700 years ago and now listed by UNESCO. Spend the afternoon inside the palace walls on foot or on a walking tour, and the evening along the city’s harbor promenade. Bačvice and Kašjuni are the beaches closest to the city.
Day 3: Bol and Stari Grad
Bol, on the island of Brač, is home to Zlatni Rat, the famous beach that shifts with the wind and the currents. The yacht then crosses the channel to Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, one of the oldest towns in Europe, with a quiet harbor, small museums and stone houses that line the bay.
Day 4: Vis
Day four brings something new: the open sea. Vis is the most remote island on the itinerary, out in the open Adriatic. It was closed to foreign visitors for decades, and it still feels quieter than the islands nearer the mainland. Expect clear water, Venetian buildings, fresh seafood and local wine. Vis is also the starting point for boat tours to the Blue Cave on the small island of Biševo, and a good island to discover on a guided jeep tour.
Day 5: Korčula
Korčula Town sits on a small peninsula inside 13th-century walls. Its narrow streets are laid out like the bones of a fish to break the wind. The island is green and wooded, with art exhibitions and evening festivals in summer.
Day 6: Pomena
Pomena is a small harbor at the western end of Mljet. Much of Mljet is a national park, with two saltwater lakes and flat bike trails along their shores. You can rent a bike in Pomena and ride into the park in a few minutes to discover the lakes and the island monastery. Pomena is the quietest stop on the itinerary, and often the most relaxing day of the week, with the whole island to explore at your own pace.
Days 7 and 8: Dubrovnik
The cruise ends in Dubrovnik, the most famous city in Croatia. Walk the old town walls, take a tour of the old city, discover the side streets away from the main square, and spend your final evening in the old city. Your cruise ends after breakfast on day 8.
Other destinations used on Sea Sun sailings include Primošten, Hvar Town, Jelsa, Vela Luka, Šipan, Maslinica, Trogir, Slano, Zlarin, Trstenik and Makarska. We describe the route in more detail in our guide to the Split to Dubrovnik cruise.
Why the itinerary starts in Šibenik
Šibenik is quieter than Split or Dubrovnik, sits in the middle of the Dalmatian coast and lets the itinerary visit Skradin and Krka before reaching Split. You still get a full day and an evening in Split.
Why there is a day in Hvar but not a night in Hvar Town
The itinerary visits Stari Grad, on the quieter north side of Hvar, rather than spending the night in Hvar Town. Hvar Town is the island’s nightlife center and is busy and loud in July and August. Stari Grad gives you the history of Hvar without the crowds, and Hvar Town is a short taxi ride away if you want an evening there. Some sailings stop in Hvar Town or Jelsa instead, depending on the date.
Flights
For this itinerary, fly into Split and fly home from Dubrovnik. Most travelers from the United States connect through a European hub.
Shore tours and things to explore in each port
Every port on the itinerary has something new worth planning for, and the destinations are very different from each other. Shore tours are not part of the cruise price, so you choose the ones you want and pay locally.
| Port | Tour or trip | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Skradin | Krka National Park and its waterfalls | Go late in the day, when the park is quieter |
| Split | A walking tour of Diocletian’s Palace | The old city is cooler and calmer early or late |
| Bol | Zlatni Rat beach, or a hike up to Vidova Gora | Take water on the hike |
| Stari Grad | The old town, or a taxi to Hvar Town for the evening | A short ride across the island |
| Vis | Boat tours to the Blue Cave, or jeep tours of the island | The cave is brightest around midday |
| Korčula | A walking tour of the old town, or a wine tasting | Check the dates of the summer sword dance |
| Pomena | Mljet National Park by bike | Rent a bike near the harbor |
| Dubrovnik | The city walls, the cable car or a boat to Lokrum | Walk the walls early or late |
Jason can book shore tours ahead for you, which is worth doing in July and August, when the most popular tours in Croatia sell out. Many travelers book one guided tour in Split or Dubrovnik and explore and discover the other ports on their own. Others save their tours for the national parks, where a guide helps you discover far more.
Planning the rest of your trip to Croatia
The cruise is seven nights, but most travelers from the United States make it a ten- or twelve-day trip, with time to explore before and after. Here is how they usually plan the days around it.
Arrive a day or two early
Flights to Croatia usually connect in Europe, and delays happen. Arriving in Split or Trogir a day or two before the cruise gives you a buffer and time to get over the jet lag. Trogir, a small walled town listed by UNESCO, is close to Split’s airport and makes a calm first night. Šibenik is a short drive away on the first morning.
Add a night or two in Dubrovnik
The cruise ends in Dubrovnik after breakfast on the last day. Staying on lets you see the old town early in the morning and in the evening, before and after the day visitors. Book your Dubrovnik hotel at the same time as your cruise, especially for travel in July and August.
Day trips worth adding
From Dubrovnik, a day tour to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is popular. From Split, a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park is long but rewarding. Jason can arrange either one as part of your travel plans.
Money and phones
Croatia uses the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere in the towns. Most United States phone plans offer a daily international pass, and there is Wi-Fi on board.
Choosing your cabin
The cabins are on two decks, and the crew lives in a separate area of the yacht. Every cabin has a private bathroom, air conditioning, a writing desk, a chair, a sofa, a safe, a hair dryer, a wardrobe, storage under the bed and a key card door. Almost every cabin 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.
| Cabins | Deck | Size | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 8 | Lower deck | 136 to 187 square feet | Twin or double. Cabins 5 and 6 are double only |
| 9 to 12 | Main deck, entered from the outside deck | 130 to 156 square feet | Twin or double |
| 13 to 18 | Main deck, entered from inside | 135 to 156 square feet | 13 and 14 are twin. 16 can take a third bed |
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
Which cabin suits you
- Couples who want the most space: the lower-deck cabins are the largest on board, up to 187 square feet.
- Travelers who want light and quick access to the deck: the main-deck cabins have at least two windows or portholes and fewer stairs.
- Friends sharing a cabin: cabins 13 and 14 are set up with two single beds.
- A parent and a teenager: cabin 16 can take a third bed.
Lower-deck portholes let in light but cannot be opened. We explain every cabin group in our guide to choosing a cabin on a small ship cruise.
Who the cruise suits
The minimum age on board is 12. There is no elevator, and some parts of the yacht are reached by stairs. The cruise suits couples, friends who travel together and solo travelers happy to share the week with no more than 35 other guests. Cabin prices are based on two people sharing. Ask Jason about a cabin for one.
What the cruise costs and what is included
Cabins on Sea Sun’s small ship cruises in Croatia start at €3,800 per person for seven nights and go up to €5,000 per person, depending on the date and the vessel. Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a cabin.
Included
- Seven nights on board
- The captain and crew
- Seven breakfasts and six lunches
- The captain's dinner
- Coffee, tea and purified water
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Air conditioning and Wi-Fi
- Swim stops in the Adriatic
- The hot tub and the sauna
- Water toys that do not have a motor
Not included
- Drinks other than coffee, tea and water
- Dinners, except the captain's dinner
- The Croatian tourist tax of €60 per person, paid on board
- Gratuities for the crew, with €250 per guest recommended for the week
- Flights, transfers and travel insurance
Why dinner is not included
Dinner is left off on purpose. Each evening the yacht is in a different harbor town, and the best way to spend it is at a family restaurant ashore. Breakfast and lunch on board, dinner in town, is the rhythm most small ship cruises in Croatia follow. Lunch is served on board during the day, so you never miss a swim to get back for lunch.
How to pay
| Payment | When |
|---|---|
| Deposit of €1,500 per cabin (non-refundable) | When you book |
| 50% of the cruise price | Six months before the sailing |
| Final payment | Four months before the sailing |
Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Ready to choose a sailing? Call Jason at (404) 465-4081.
How to compare small ship cruises in Croatia
Croatia has dozens of ships in this class, and they are not all the same. When you compare small ship cruises, these are the questions to ask.
Will I sail on the ship I booked?
Some companies sell a class of ship, not a named vessel, and assign the actual vessel later. With Sea Sun, each sailing names the yacht.
How big is the cabin, and is the bathroom private?
Older Croatian ships often have very small cabins. On Sea Sun’s yacht, every cabin has its own bathroom, and cabins run from 130 to 187 square feet.
Who else is on board?
Some Croatian cruises are aimed at a young, party crowd. Sea Sun’s sailings are a calmer week, suited to couples and friends who want good food, good towns and time in the water.
What is on deck?
A hot tub and a sauna are rare on Croatian small ships. Ask whether a vessel has them before you compare prices.
Where are the nights spent?
Some ships anchor in bays at night. Sea Sun’s yacht spends every night in port, so you walk ashore for dinner.
Who do I call if something goes wrong?
Booking travel through a website often means a different agent for every email. Booking with Sea Sun means Jason, in the United States, from your first question to the last day of your holiday.
Is a small ship cruise right for you?
A week on a small ship cruise is not for everyone. It is better to know that before you book than after.
It is a good fit if
- You want to see the Croatian coast and its islands, not just Dubrovnik and Split.
- You like the idea of swimming in the Adriatic most days.
- You enjoy finding your own restaurant in the evening.
- You prefer a calm week with a small group of other travelers to a big liner with thousands of passengers.
It is probably not the right cruise if
- You want shows, casinos and late-night entertainment on board every night. There are none.
- You need an elevator or step-free access. There is no elevator.
- You are traveling with children under 12. The minimum age is 12.
- You want every meal included. Dinners are ashore, at your own cost, on six nights.
What changes the itinerary
The captain decides the route each day based on the weather and the sea. Summer on the Adriatic is usually calm, but strong winds can blow up, and the captain may swap one island for another. You will still have seven nights, a swim stop on most days and a harbor every night.
Cruising in Croatia through the season
Cruising in Croatia changes with the season. May and October are quiet, with mild days for exploring the towns. June and September bring warm water and fewer crowds, and many travelers think they are the best months for cruising the coast. July and August are the warmest and busiest weeks, with the most to discover after dark in the harbor towns. Whatever the month, the itinerary keeps the same rhythm: a sail, a swim and an evening ashore.
A note for first-time cruise travelers
If you have never taken a cruise, this is a gentle first trip, and a good way to travel in Croatia. Even experienced cruise travelers find a small ship a new kind of holiday. You unpack once. There are no formal nights, no assigned dinner seating and no crowds at the gangway. You travel from town to town with your room coming with you.
Why book your Croatia cruise with Sea Sun Vacations
Jason Carter runs Sea Sun Vacations, a travel agency in Canton, Georgia, and Sea Sun sells cabins on its own Croatia sailings.
Fast answers
Fast answers are what Jason built Sea Sun on. That matters when you are planning travel overseas and have questions about flights, cabins and money.
No added fee
A quote for a luxury cruise in Croatia costs you nothing with Sea Sun, and there is no agent fee added on top.
The whole holiday
Jason can also help with the rest of your travel: flights, a hotel in Split or Dubrovnik before or after the cruise, airport transfers and tours ashore.
Questions travelers ask about small ship cruises in Croatia
When is the best time for a small ship cruise in Croatia?
Sea Sun’s sailings run from early May to mid-October. June and September have warm sea water and fewer crowds. July and August are the hottest and busiest months.
Is this a cruise or a yacht trip?
Both. It is a seven-night cruise with a set itinerary and other guests on board, on a vessel built to luxury standards.
Do I need to be a sailor?
No. The captain and crew do the sailing. You do not need any boating experience.
Will I get seasick?
The yacht sails during the day along a coast sheltered by islands, and it spends every night in port. The water between the islands is usually calm. If you are prone to seasickness, bring what you normally use.
What should I pack?
Swimwear, sun protection, a light jacket for the evening, comfortable shoes for stone streets and a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase, since luggage goes under the bed.
Does every sailing follow the same itinerary?
No. Sailings run from Šibenik to Dubrovnik, from Dubrovnik to Šibenik, round trip from Šibenik, and on some dates further north from Opatija. Ask Jason for the itinerary of the date you are looking at.
Can I tell you about allergies or special diets?
Yes. Tell Jason about allergies or special diets when you book, so they can be planned for before the cruise starts.
How early should I book?
Cabins are assigned first come, first served, so booking early gives you the widest choice. It also gives you more time to find good flights into Split and a hotel in Dubrovnik for the end of your trip.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Yes. Wi-Fi is included in the cruise price. The signal can drop in remote bays, so save important calls for the evening in port.
How do I book a cabin?
Choose a sailing on the Croatia by Private Yacht page, click Reserve and send the form, or call Jason at (404) 465-4081.
Summary: the luxury small ship cruise in Croatia
A small ship cruise is the best way to see the coast of Croatia and its islands. Sea Sun’s yacht carries no more than 36 guests in 18 private cabins, with a hot tub and a sauna. It sails by day, stops to swim in the Adriatic and spends every night in a different harbor town, from Skradin and Split to Korčula and Dubrovnik. Cabins start at €3,800 per person for seven nights, or your group can charter the whole yacht.
Reserve your cabin on a Croatia cruise
Cabins are first come, first served. Choose the sailing that fits your travel dates.
Call (404) 465-4081 or email [email protected].
