Croatian Coastal Cruising: Dubrovnik to Split (Aurora) Itinerary

Starting in

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Physical Difficulty

2 / 5

Breakfasts included

7

Lunches included

4

Dinners included

4

Ending in

Split, Croatia

Accommodation

Small cruise ship (7 nights)

Transport

Small cruise ship , Boat , Minibus

Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is home to plenty of impressive beaches – we’re talking the official second cleanest in Europe. Imagine the sun warming you while you lean over the side of a boat – just peacefully watching the clear water wash against limestone cliffs and pebbly shores as you pass on by. This eight day cruise offers plenty of that idle relaxation, broken up with exciting activities like a river cruise and a walk to the waterfalls of the the Krka National Park or expeditions like a winery trip near romantic Korcula to for those who find relaxation at the bottom of a wine glass. Get a taste of what the Dalmatian Coast has to offer on this exciting and varied cruise adventure.

Day 1: Dubrovnik

Zdravo and welcome to Croatia. Lovely Dubrovnik features the terracotta rooves, ancient cliff-forged walls and crystal coasts that many people associate with Dalmatia. Your adventure begins this evening at 5 pm, when you will be welcomed aboard the Aurora and introduced to your crew and fellow travellers. Enjoy a drink and get to know each other before your first dinner on the ship this evening. Later, perhaps relax with a glass of wine on the deck and take in the incredible sight of waves lapping at rugged cliffs.

Day 2: Dubrovnik - Korcula

After breakfast set sail for Korcula, the birthplace of Marco Polo, with lunch on board and if time permits, a quick swim stop en route. In the afternoon, embark on an orientation walk before enjoying an evening to explore at your own pace. If you're hungry, your leader can assist with dinner recommendations.

Day 3: Korcula - Badija - Opuzen

Depart for Opuzen, enjoying breakfast on board and a mid-morning swim stop in beautiful clear turquoise waters near the small island of Badija, then continue to Opuzen. Enjoy lunch onboard and then in the afternoon jump into small wooden boats for a leisurely cruise through the surrounding wetlands (with local snacks and music on board). Arrive at a beautiful local restaurant overlooking the river for Peka veal and other local dishes. Board the boats to return to Opuzen. You may want to venture out to one of the friendly bars around the town square to meet the locals over a beer or two.

Day 4: Opuzen - Mostar - Opuzen - Trpanj

An early start this morning to make our way to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina by minibus. Take a guided walk through the town, visiting a local coffee shop where you will see how the Bosnian coffee is made and have a taste of it, afterwards enjoy some free time to explore the town and have lunch at your leisure. Return to Opuzen in the early afternoon and sail to Trpanj. Upon arrival, transfer to Matusko winery for a tasting and enjoy the beautiful grounds of the vineyard, before returning to the ship. Tonight, enjoy dinner onboard the Aurora.

Day 5: Trpanj - Hvar - Jelsa - Starigrad - Hvar

Sail into Jelsa on the island of Hvar and take a private transfer to a local farm for some local produce tasting, then drive to Hvar town. Explore on a walk with your leader before continuing on to Starigrad in the evening.

Day 6: Hvar - Split

Spend the morning sailing, arriving in Split in the early afternoon. You will meet a local guide who will take you on a walk around Split, then the afternoon is yours to enjoy some free time to explore the beautiful lane ways and squares of the old city.

Day 7: Split - Krka National Park

After a leisurely breakfast on board, head out with some more time to explore the Split’s old city. After lunch, return to the boat ready to take your private bus transfer to Krka National Park. Here you will board a smaller boat for some cruising and exploring within the park. The park spans two thirds of the Krka River, and some 142 square kilometres. You visit some of the gorgeous waterfalls for which this park is renowned. Afterwards, return by bus to Split, in time for a captain's dinner for your evening repast.

Day 8: Disembarkation in Split

Your small ship adventure cruise along the Dalmatian coast ends after breakfast this morning. Should you require a transfer to Split international airport, please enquire with your Travel Consultant prior to travel or your Tour Leader during your trip.

Essential Trip Information

Joining point

Dubrovnik Port, Batahovina ulica 1962 , Sustjepan, Dubrovnik, CROATIA

Finish point

Port of Split, Obala kneza Domagoja, 21000 , Split, CROATIA

Important information

This trip will be onboard the M/S Aurora. It has 18 cabins with private ensuites and can accommodate up to 36 customers

COMPLIMENTARY ARRIVAL TRANSFER
A complimentary arrival transfer is included from Dubrovnik Airport to the Port of Dubrovnik on day one of this trip or from the airport to the hotel if you have booked pre tour accommodation with us. Please provide your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival so as we can organise this transfer for you.

PASSPORT DETAILS
Please provide your passport details at time of booking. It is essential we receive these details at least 14 days prior to departure as we must provide them to the Port authorities in order to comply with Maritime regulations.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Single travellers will share a twin cabin with another traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer not to share, a single cabin supplement is available at an additional charge. A single passenger cannot be booked or confirmed in a double cabin (with a double bed) unless a single supplement is paid.

Emergency contact

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:





Intrepid's local office: +49 8024 4679 540

Is this trip right for you

This is a small ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with up to 35 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available onboard.

Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

Unlike other ships that cruise through the night, we’ll spend our evenings docked at port. This will give you more time to dine ashore and enjoy those balmy Croatian evenings. Cruising will mostly take place during the day.

Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground, sometimes in hot conditions. If you have any concerns, please speak to your group leader before taking part.

If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets on-board. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort.

There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.

Why we love it

Board a traditional vessel and sail up along the spectacular Neretva River, inland from Opuzen., Discover Krka National Park, where you’ll get to see stunning waterfalls and secluded pools., While large cruise liners have to moor out at sea and commute into shore via tender, you'll drop anchor in the middle of port towns like Hvar or Korcula. You can hop on or off the boat as you please., Dive into the aquamarine waters of the Dalmatian Coast. Weather permitting, our captain will be stopping the ship for regular swim breaks during the trip., Take a detour to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is not a stop featured on many Croatian coastal tours! You’ll see the town’s iconic bridge and have the chance to watch a coffee demonstration.

Group leader

On your voyage, as well as the ship and hospitality crew, there will be between 1 and 3 local tour leaders (depending on the total number of passengers). These leaders will be with you on board the ship, and on all included shore activities. They will have good general knowledge of the areas you are passing through including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects, as well as being able to recommend great local eating venues for your on shore meals and what you might like to do with your free time (when you're not relaxing and enjoying the ship's facilities).

Safety

Travelling in and around Croatia should be relatively trouble-free; however, as is the case anywhere else in the world, there is always the chance of petty theft. Please take great care of your passport, cash, and other valuables. Each cabin on board has a safe and we urge you to use it. When out and about, do not carry more cash than required. Keep a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport, visas and air tickets - separate from the original documents. It is also worth remembering that throughout most of Europe, theoretically, it is illegal to be on the streets without an official ID card or passport - carry a copy with you. Please don't pack valuables such as cameras in your suitcase. It is a better idea to carry them with you as hand luggage.

Visas

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Last modified (date)

25 Apr 2024

Validity

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2024

Additional Information

Health

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 


There is no doctor on board for this voyage. In case of an emergency, some crew members are trained to offer basic first aid. Medical care is available in all ports we visit and our voyages are mostly cruising around coastal waters meaning we are never far from a port.
As we are mostly cruising in coastal waters, we should not regularly encounter rough waters. However, if you know you are prone to sea sickness, please ensure you bring with you appropriate medication. You must also bring with you any general medicines you may need such as pain relief along with any prescribed medications you take. A general first aid kit is also a good idea.
If you are feeling unwell, please let a member of the crew know. Travelling on a boat means that everyone is sharing the same common areas and illness can spread very quickly to your fellow travellers.

Food and dietary requirements

While travelling in Croatia you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in this region. Meals on board are made by our on board chef using fresh local produce. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try on your trip during your free time. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.
On board, we are able to cater for most special dietary requirements. Please advise any special dietary needs at least 4 weeks in advance of travel.

Money matters

When it comes to money matters on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget a sensible amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, tipping and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need.

Also make sure you’ve read your trip details thoroughly so you know what’s included in the trip price and what isn’t. This should make budgeting a little easier. You’ll find this info in the Inclusions section of your Essential Trip Information (that’s this document).

ON BOARD ACCOUNT
An account will be opened for your cabin for purchases aboard the Aurora. This will include bar purchases onboard. The boat currently on accepts payment by cash to settle your onboard account. It is also wise to travel with sufficient cash (in local currency) to pay for incidentals on your last day such as taxis and tipping for your crew and leader.

TIPPING
If you're happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid destinations. If you are happy with the services received, the suggested amounts below are an appropriate amount for your leaders and crew onboard. At the end of your trip, you will be provided with 2 envelopes onboard one for your crew and one for your leaders. Any tips that are placed in the envelope will be split amongst the crew or leaders.
Leaders EUR5 to EUR7 per day
Crew EUR10 to EUR14 per day

Most of our voyages are half board, so breakfast, and at least one other meal daily will be included whilst on board the ship. This leaves plenty of opportunities for you to go out and explore local cuisines on shore for the remaining meals. Please ensure you have read the Essential Trip Information carefully and have budgeted for meals not included.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

CURRENCY
As of 1 January 2023, the official currency of Croatia is the Euro.

What to take

Please travel as lightly as possible so as not to restrict space in your cabin. Soft bags are more practical than hard suitcases.
The dress code on board ship is casual. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the Captain's dinner such as a collar shirt or sundress but as a rule, neat casual will suffice.
Swimming will be offered so swimwear is essential.
Below is a suggested general packing list.

Daypack (a smaller back pack that you can take with you on shore excursions)
Comfortable clothing for warmer temperatures [shorts, t-shirts, light long sleeved tops and pants]
A sweater or jacket for the cooler evenings or early mornings
A light rain coat or poncho
Comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions
Sandals or thongs/flip flops/jandals
Sunscreen [bio degradable and waterproof if available] and lip balm [to combat the effects of wind burn]
Sunglasses
Sunhat [that can be secured as it can get windy out on the water]
Swimming costume
Water bottle
Bio-degradable shampoo, conditioner and soap
Pegs [so you can hang your swimming costume or towel out to dry]
Insect repellent
European adaptor/electrical plug
Camera
*** Beach towels and snorkelling equipment are provided on board ***

Climate and seasonal

Summer temperatures can be extreme in Croatia and have been known to reach 40°C. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water.

A couple of rules

We like to think our Intrepid travellers are all connected by a love of adventure and passion for seeing the world in a different way. We've laid down a few non-negotiable rules to ensure everyone feels connected, comfortable and safe on our trips.

We ask that you respect your fellow travellers, group leader or local representative, and local people and places we visit in all circumstances. We don't tolerate any forms of violence and expect that you follow the local laws, customs and regulations in any destination we travel to. Any behaviour contrary to the above, including any behaviour that prevents our staff from performing their duty of care or continuing the itinerary as planned, may result in travellers being removed from the trip.

If you consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect you to abide by local alcohol laws.

To ensure the well-being of everyone on the trip, all decisions made by group leaders or local representatives and ground staff are final.

Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip.

By travelling with us, you agree to comply with these rules and the laws and customs of all countries visited.

If something is concerning you during your travels with us, please speak to your group leader or local representative immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in your Essential Trip Information’s Problems and Emergency Contact section.

Accommodation notes

Information not available.

Transport notes

Information not available.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
When travelling on a group trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.

If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Sharing a room can be a great way to get to know people quickly and make close friends. It just takes a little effort on your part.

Single travellers on this voyage can be matched with a passenger of the same gender in a twin cabin.
If you wish to have a cabin to yourself, this can be arranged with the payment of a single supplement and is possible in any cabin category.
Pre and post voyage accommodation will always be on a single basis for solo travellers.

Your group will be a mixture of fellow passengers from all corners of the world who will be internationally like-minded and enjoy travel.

Itinerary disclaimer

Travelling by sea is a fantastic way to explore, but it brings some challenges when weather conditions are not ideal.
The itinerary may be subject to change, based on winds and sea conditions which may render anchorage and landing at some stops difficult. We reserve the right to change the itinerary for the safety of passengers and the ship.

Shore excursions are subject to shore and weather conditions and are based on a minimum participation.

Each days' schedule will be posted by the cruise co-ordinator listing necessary information such as arrival/departure times, meal times, days activities and other information. This is given as a guideline and is subject to change.