Lovely boat and crew. Chef amazing. However did not enjoy being constantly exposed to cigarette smoke on only lower deck, especially when deck was enclosed.
- Dawn, 19/06/2026 00:49, Travelled with Family
This was a fabulous holiday! There are just three reasons I couldn't give it a perfect 5. 1. "Water toys"-having only 4 "floaties" when you have 36 people on board is not enough. On vacation, no one wants to jump is the sea and tread water for the duration of the swim stop. 2. The new Contessa is lovely. However, on the top deck there was not nearly enough loungers or chairs. People were having to share or go below deck. There was plenty of space for more. 3. It is a bummer that you advertise excursions to Explorer travelers but they actually do not happen or are not reccomended. We were excited on day 1 to go river rafting but once on board heard that that actually wasn't an excursion. Same with canoeing-said you "could" go, but that it was a very bad experience. Better tour operators or excursions need to be sourced. Lola was super and responsive. Martin and Neno amazing employees! Chef Bane and Marko fab. Charlie and Tino fun on deck, and maids were wonderful.
- Anonymous, 18/06/2026 17:02, Travelled with Family
Our crew was fabulous. Lauren ( our tour guide) as well as Cesar and Kafka ( pardoned any misspellings) went above and beyond to make the experience so incredibly joyful and memorable. They showed us the best of Croatia and we are sharing our wonderful experience with all of our friends and family
- Patti, 16/06/2026 13:28, Travelled in a Couple
Great crew, beautiful boat, plenty of good food and fantastic memories
- Anonymous, 16/06/2026 05:03, Travelled with Family
My wife and I had an absolute blast on the 7-day Split-to-Dubrovnik Explorer cruise on the Contessa. This was our first cruise ever, and it wildly exceeded our expectations. Every stop was a treasure in it's own way, the recently renovated ship has a modern/elegant design, the cabins were spacious, food on on-board was great, crew was fantastic and friendly, and our tour guide Lola made sure we knew all the fun activities to do, and the best places to dine. Highly recommend., 5 star experience.
- Eric, 15/06/2026 14:27, Travelled with Family
We finally managed to bring some of our family with us to show them how beautiful Croatia is and how good holidaying this way is. The Captain and crew were exceptionally good this year especially our chef Kole
- Colin, 15/06/2026 12:27, Travelled with Family
It was me and my husband’s first cruise. We had a great experience that exceeded our expectations. The boat has a modern decoration, the room is spacious, comfortable and clean. The crew were very professional and friendly. Lola “the cruise director” organized all the excursions and gave us many tips about the best restaurants, bars, and even ATMs, she’s very professional and sweet. I highly recommend Contessa cruise, a 5 stars experience.
- Ana, 15/06/2026 11:29, Travelled in a Couple
Spectacular
- Anonymous, 15/06/2026 09:44, Travelled in a Couple
The Mali Ante was the perfect ship to be on. The cruise food was great Croatia style meals and the drink prices were reasonable. The Captain’s dinner was perfect, as were the drinks and dancing afterwards. Our cruise director, Elena, was very helpful and knowledgeable. We cruised in early June, which I think is the perfect time to go. The water is just warm enough to swim, but the cities are not as crowded as they will be later in the summer. Recommend bringing swim shoes, an inflatable “noodle”, and maybe a 1mm neoprene swim top if you get easily cold when swimming. Also, we liked our lower cabin. Seemed to be a little roomier and quieter.
- Anonymous, 15/06/2026 07:35, Travelled in a Couple
The Croatian itinerary was fantastic, and the crew were friendly and hardworking throughout the trip. Unfortunately, the condition of the Mali Ante did not meet our expectations. The ship felt older and less well-maintained than many others we saw in port. The jacuzzi was out of service for most of the trip, our shower leaked, & our lower-deck cabin was extremely noisy whenever the engines started. The cabin was also very damp, leaving clothing and towels moist and causing some clothes to develop a musty odor. We also found what appeared to be mold or mildew staining on our bedding. Breakfast was limited to one hour each morning, no snacks were provided between meals, and guests could not bring their own snacks or drinks onboard. Drinks were expensive, and the bar tab had to be paid in cash. Considering the ship’s condition and limited amenities, the suggested gratuities felt excessive. While Croatia was beautiful, the overall experience did not provide the value we expected.
- Tiffany, 15/06/2026 07:26, Travelled with Family
Hi Tiffany, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed review. We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary and found the crew aboard your ship to be friendly and hardworking. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to them. Mali Ante is a highly rated ship within our fleet, so we are sorry to hear that certain aspects of your onboard experience did not meet your expectations on this occasion. We offer a variety of vessels within our Explorer Cruise range to cater to different travel styles and budgets, allowing guests to select the ship that best suits their preferences. We have a thorough process in place for communicating and resolving issues during the cruise. Having reviewed our internal records, I can see that the concerns outlined in your review were not raised with the onboard representative during your trip. Had we been made aware of these issues at the time, our team would have done their best to investigate and address them while you were onboard to ensure you were satisfied with the outcome. As outlined in our pre-departure documentation and guest App, tipping is entirely optional. The crew onboard our ships are paid fairly for their work; however, gratuities are a widely recognised way for guests to acknowledge exceptional service. Many guests choose to leave a tip as a gesture of appreciation, however this is always at each individual's discretion. We appreciate you bringing these matters to our attention and thank you again for sharing your experience with us.
Our week on the Sail Croatia Explorer aboard Almissa far exceeded our expectations. Lauren and the crew were amazing, and everything ran so smoothly. The swim stops were beautiful, and the food was always delicious. A special thank you to Bobby and Marko for catering so well to gluten-free dietary requirements - we never felt like we were missing out. A huge shoutout to Ceaser and Kafka for the fun nights, great music, and always bringing the good vibes. The week truly had something for everyone, whether you wanted a social night out or an early night in (or both, like us!). What really made the trip special was the group of guests. There was such a fun mix of people and ages (we're in our mid-20s), and by the end of the week, it felt like one big happy family. We’ve left Almissa with incredible memories and couldn't recommend this experience highly enough.
- Sophia & Mia, 13/06/2026 16:32, Travelled with Family
We booked the Explorer cruise aboard the Contessa with Sail Croatia expecting nothing more than a floating hotel and an efficient way to explore Croatia's islands. What we didn't expect was to love it so much! We chose the Contessa because of its recent retrofit. The ship felt brand new: modern, elegant, and relaxed. Our cabin was even larger than many cruise ship rooms, with a spacious walk-in shower. Having read so many bad reviews about some of the older vessels, we were thrilled with our choice, as the Contessa truly stood out. The food was consistently good. Our bartenders Martin and Nino quickly learned everyone's preferences and delivered incredible service with warmth, personality, and remarkable attention to detail. Anita, our Cruise Director, kept everything running seamlessly from start to finish. From daily itineraries and restaurant recommendations to helping guests make the most of each island, she never missed a beat. She knows how to create an unforgettable experience.
- Caroline, 09/06/2026 12:38, Travelled in a Couple
Boat, staff, and host Anita were all amazing. Definitely recommend
- CRAIG, 09/06/2026 12:28, Travelled in a Couple
We scheduled our Sail Croatia trip hoping for a Family Adventure and it was SO MUCH MORE than we had even hoped! Croatia was beautiful! Waking up every morning on the Almissa to a new swim spot was epic and the excursions were fantastic! But Without a doubt, the best part was the people…the crew and the 32 new friends that we will never forget! Lauren, our host, was fantastic! She made every excursion seamless, and her brief history of each destination befire our arrival was one of our favorite parts of the trip. Thank you to Kavka and Ceasar for keeping our drinks full and keeping us laughing! ! To Marko and Bobby for the fabulous food and sensitivity to a dairy allergy. To Geo and Chapo for making sure we were safely docked, and ready for our daily swims. And to Captain Joseph for manning the helm safely! And to all of our new friends who started out as shipmates and ended as friends! What an adventure to remember!
- Darcie, 09/06/2026 11:10, Travelled with Family
Fabulous family trip with brilliant crew and fantastic cruise director. The 7 days we spent with Sail Croatia on an Explorer cruise on the beautiful Contessa is an experience I will long remember. Anita, our cruise director kept us updated every day and was super helpful with any request we had. Thank you Anita- your knowledge of our destinations, recommendations and patience was outstanding. Bar staff, Nino and Martin were good fun and always keen to help. Thanks for the card game lesson! The rest of the crew were also helpful and responsive to any requests- food was consistently very good and catered for our meal preferences. Great tour options at each location. Looking forward to an opportunity to travel with Sail Croatia again. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Rachel, 09/06/2026 10:19, Travelled with Family
Really enjoyable! Staff were super warm, friendly and accommodating. Thank you for a lovely week 😊
- Rhiannon, 08/06/2026 19:08, Travelled in a Couple
Unbelievable week. Everything was amazing! Food, service, Organisation, Tours and everything in between was perfection. The explorer trip on the Almissa was perfect for us ( 25 & 32 ) Good mix of party and chill and the Almissa crew are amazing.
- Jacob, 08/06/2026 14:32, Travelled in a Couple
Our trip w Sail Croatia was wonderful on all fronts. The MS Contessa was recently refurbished and felt like a brand new, luxury yacht. The crew was incredibly helpful, kind and always available as needed. And our trip guide, Anita, was the absolute best and always there to keep us having fun, providing exceptional excursion options, making sure we were always safe and providing up-to-date plans for each day, I would highly recommend Sail Croatia to anyone looking for a truly amazing vacation.
- Patrick, 08/06/2026 14:04, Travelled with Family
We loved our week seeing the islands of Croatia BBB and meeting new friends from around the world!
- Diana, 08/06/2026 08:33, Travelled in a Couple
Absolutely amazing. Highlight of our Euro adventures. The host and crew were amazing. Food was first class every day and night. Stunning adventures. Highly recommend. 5 stars
- Mick, 08/06/2026 07:08, Travelled with Family
My wife and I had an amazing time on board Salve Di Mare, we did the explorer cruise, which was just perfect for us, offering grear activities but was also very relaxing. Our ship was beautiful, spacious rooms, great areas for soaking up the sun and just beautiful all round. Matilda, our rep was amazing. She went above and beyond for each guest, was super friendly, gave great insights into each location we went to, helped ensure each activity and program ran smoothly. She also gave fantastic recommendations into where to eat, drink and enjoy the locations we would stop at. Matilda did an amazing job as our rep, we were super lucky to have her. A special thank you as well to our amazing crew, Captain Frane, Sailors Fadil and Richi, Waiters/Barmen Vlaho and Marko, Chefs Bojan and Fani, and our Maid Julija. You all were absolutely amazing and so great at your jobs. Thank you! We made many fantastic memories, and new friendships too. Sail Croatia is definitely a top highlight for us.
- Nixon, 08/06/2026 06:57, Travelled in a Couple
Amazing! Contessa boat is beautiful. Lower deck cabins are spacious and the ensuite bathrooms are gorgeous. Explorer cruise provided a great mix of activity, fun and relaxation. We enjoyed bike riding, zip lining and kayaking as well as relaxing in the roof top spa and drinking cocktails! Croatia did not disappoint and we couldn’t fault the Sail Croatia staff. Great friendships and memories formed. Highly recommend!
- Melinda, 08/06/2026 01:19, Travelled in a Couple
Salve di Mare is a beautiful boat. The staff was very accommodating and friendly. The lunches were delicious. Our guide Nikos was wonderful. He had recommendations for bars and restaurants and was helpful with the excursions. We had a small group and enjoyed all the guest on the boat. I cannot think of a better way to see the coast of Croatia. I would highly recommend Sail Croatia and Salve di Mare.
- Lynn, 06/06/2026 17:05, Travelled with Family
Best holiday ever. From the boat and the tour guide, to the stops and food. Ceili, our tour guide, was amazing - super professional but still showing us where we can find something fun, interesting, and exciting. Always came up with the best suggestions and was happy to hear our experiences at places we discovered on our own. The organized group dinners, drinks, and moments were great. Thanks for taking us up that hill Ceili!! The boat and crew need a separate review of their own to brag about how perfect they were. Stews and deck hands were great - I’ll miss my dudes, Niksha and Damir. They were on point with the service and always made sure we had what we need. The Tempera boat was great. I consider myself lucky to get a chance to “live” on the beautiful boat for a week. I spent so much time on the top deck and the salon was a great place to grab a drink and take a break from the sun. 10/10 would do this all over again!
- Daniel, 04/06/2026 11:14, Travelled in a Couple
The itinerary on our 7 day Tempera cruise was great, our cabin was fantastic but unfortunately the whole experience was severly let down by incredibly poor food and service staff. Definitely not worth the money we paid for the trip.
- Anonymous, 02/06/2026 07:48, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary and that you were pleased with your cabin aboard Tempera. However, we are sorry to learn that the dining experience and onboard service did not meet your expectations and detracted from your overall enjoyment of the cruise. We understand how important both the quality of the food and attentive service are to the overall holiday experience, and we regret that these aspects fell short from your perspective. While reviewing feedback from this departure, we noted that the meals provided fell slightly below the high standards we strive to deliver to our guests. Your comments regarding both the food and service have been shared with our team for their review and consideration, as guest feedback plays an important role in helping us identify areas for improvement. While we are pleased that there were elements of the cruise you enjoyed, we are sorry that the overall experience did not feel reflective of the value you expected. Thank you again for your constructive feedback and recommendation. We truly value guest insights as they help us continue to improve our experiences.
We had a wonderful time with the friendly staff on the Tempera we where greeted on the dock by ceili our tour guide who was Fantastic she kept us well informed the whole trip and was very helpful with any questions we had we found our cabin very comfortable and clean A great experience Highly recommend 🍹😎👍
- Anonymous, 02/06/2026 07:29, Travelled with Family
We had a fabulous time on Sail Croatia Tempera with Ceili & all our new found friends on the cruise Very relaxing & ship was well equipped & very comfortable Loved all our swim stops & the crew were beyond helpful & friendly Highly recommend a great way to see all the different islands .. Go Sail Croatia👍🇦🇺👏👙☀️🥂🍺
- Anita, 02/06/2026 07:21, Travelled with Family
Try to get pics of room prior to booking-I think we had the worst room on the boat. Room 2 on Tempera has a large intrusion in the room from the next door curved staircase requiring you to hunch over on far side of bed when getting in or out. That closet opens up ONTO the bed and is almost unuseable. The tiny curved table in the room slants down so things slide off of it. The bed was comfortable and the room size decent. The breakfast was good- sausage, eggs, fruit, pastries…. but I (and many other judging by appearances) found the lunches inedible. greasy rice stuffed pepper served with cold mashed potatoes, a bowl of buttered noidles served with a small thin slice of overcooked meat served with more noodles, Very carb heavy and mostly served warm not hot. Soups and desserts were good.
- Trish, 02/06/2026 05:10, Travelled in a Couple
I could not have asked for better. The staff was so friendly, and the service was outstanding. Anita, our cruise manager, was fantastic and so organized. I have already told my friends and family at home that they have to book a trip with Sail Croatia!
- Lauren, 01/06/2026 19:57, Travelled with Family
What a lovely vacation! This might have been one of my favorite trips ever. The Dalmatian islands are absolutely breathtaking and I would do this exact same cruise again. The ship was nice, comfortable and clean. Ceili, our tour manager, was fun, friendly, and helpful throughout the trip. Our waiters, Nikša and Dimir, were attentive, friendly and funny. Even Peter, one of the sailors was nice enough to give us some recommendations for Dubrovnik on the last day. I highly recommend Sail Croatia and I hope to be on one of their ships again soon.
- Julian, 01/06/2026 17:41, Travelled in a Couple
The whole week was wonderful and I am definitely going to recommend it to friends. It was a very relaxing combination of swim stops and activities. The rooms were a good size, the food was excellent and the crew lovely. It was a very enjoyable week and very sad to have to disembark. Only suggestion I have is please take card payments, especially for paying the bar bill. I think people would make more use of the bar if they weren't trying to make thei
- Megan, 01/06/2026 10:37, Travelled with Family
OMG… this trip was AMAZING! I found Sail Croatia on Google, from my very first enquiry right through to the very last day stepping off the boat, the communication & service were exceptional. My sister & I travelled from Split to Dubrovnik Day 1 unfortunately greeted us with rain, however the crew lifted everyone’s spirits with a welcome drink onboard, cosy blankets & warm hospitality all around. The crew were absolutely incredible, honestly cannot fault any one of them. They all worked so well together as a team. Nikos, the best! He kept us updated daily through both the group chat & verbal briefings, always making sure everyone knew the plans, timings & options available. knowledge of Croatian history & he delivered everything with humour & personality. Captain Frane constantly amazed watching him manoeuvre the boat into each port with such skill. Marco & Vlaho were both hilarious, friendly & absolute joy to see every single day. Julija looked after us/cabins exceptionally. Food Yum!
- Tarica, 29/05/2026 07:10, Travelled with Family
This trip is without a doubt the most relaxing Europe trip we’ve been on. The way Sail Croatia had this trip planned you really don’t worry about anything; food, activities and transportation. Just how much sun time you want to get. Marin, our guide on board, made every decision feel easy! The transparency and care was so evident in the way he did his job. He was always so helpful and fun to talk with. The crew on board Nieksha and Dom were energetic and made us feel well taken care of. My husband and I made so many friends on board, saying goodbye at the end of the week was difficult. It felt similar to when you leave summer camp as a kid. We hope to cross paths again with everyone some day. I would 100% recommend this experience to my friends and family. Oh and do the zip lining if you get the chance! It was breathtaking!
- Penna, 29/05/2026 00:00, Travelled in a Couple
Nikos and the Salve de Mare crew did a great job to make us feel welcome. They provided good communication and service throughout the trip.
- Anonymous, 27/05/2026 15:43, Travelled in a Couple
Calum was a great guide that kept everyone happy. Nano and all the crew of the Contessa was were awesome. The small ports access and not fighting the crowds of big cruise ships was great. I would do this exact trip with the exact group again.
- Anonymous, 27/05/2026 09:27, Travelled in a Couple
The journey through the Croatian Islands from Dubrovnik to Split was amazing. The Sail Croatian representative on board Tempera had very detail knowledge of locations and activities. Tempera crew were friendly, engaging and added to a great holiday with well planned swim stops. Amazing holiday.
- Anonymous, 27/05/2026 07:25, Travelled in a Couple
It was good, but they have things to improve, like the air conditioning not working, the cancellation of multiple activities due to the weather, the captain's absence due to "illness" (though he seemed perfectly fine the other days), and having a bartender drunk almost 50% of the time. But the accommodations were very good, the food was very good, and the main day was excellent.
- Anonymous, 26/05/2026 20:39, Travelled with Family
We recently finished a Sail Croatia cruise aboard the Contessa, and overall it was a fantastic experience. The weather took a little while to come good, but once it did, the trip really turned into something special with beautiful stops, great swimming spots, and an awesome atmosphere onboard. The Contessa is a newer ship, and while there were definitely a few early “gremlins” to work through, the crew handled everything professionally and always did their best to make sure guests were looked after and having a good time. You could tell the team genuinely cared about creating a great experience. A special mention has to go to Tino the sailor, who was an absolute standout throughout the trip. Friendly, very hardworking, and he really helped make the cruise memorable (including getting the hot tub going!) Big credit as well to Cal for keeping the vibe fun and social the entire week. Overall, despite a few small hiccups that come with a new vessel, we had an amazing time!!
- Todd, 26/05/2026 14:52, Travelled in a Couple
Era la primera vez que íbamos de crucero en un barco de estas características. . La experiencia fue genial. A pesar de ser Lis únicos españoles, todo el mundo, tanto trabajadores como pasajeros hicieron todo lo posible para que estuviéramos agusto.
- Anonymous, 26/05/2026 13:29, Travelled in a Couple
What an awesome experience on board with the renovated Contessa. The crew was outstanding and great food as well. Would definitely use Sail Croatia again.
- Steve, 26/05/2026 02:01, Travelled with Family
My wife and I had such a blast on our Sail Croatia cruise. The crew was amazing, and Mirin was an incredible guide the whole way. It was the perfect mix of being able to relax when we wanted, explore on our own, or join in on group excursions onboard. We ended up making friends with everyone on the cruise, and by the end we were all so close that we were genuinely sad to leave. It was an unforgettable experience and we would highly recommend it!
- Damian, 25/05/2026 14:55, Travelled in a Couple
Great
- PERCY, 25/05/2026 13:27, Travelled with Family
Wonderful people and staff on our boat!
- Anonymous, 25/05/2026 13:19, Travelled in a Couple
After doing much research my husband and I chose Sail Croatia and the lovely vessel Contessa. The boat is beautiful and cabins are very well appointed and comfortable. The crew was absolutely amazing, I can’t say enough about them. They are kind and beautiful people. Calum, Tino, Petra, Charlie, Nenad, Bane, Marko, Joy, Zeljana, and Captain Slavko were wonderful. Whatever excursion you were interested in, Calum would plan for you. He was always there to help you. He took us to fun and interesting wineries! This was definitely a trip I would recommend. Thank you Sail Croatia for having the best boat and crew!
- Chandra, 25/05/2026 13:13, Travelled in a Couple
Had a wonderful cruise on the Salve Di Mare. Nikos was a great host, the crew was a delight, and we had a great group that we met while on the boat. Would recommend to anyone to do it.
- Adam, 25/05/2026 11:16, Travelled in a Couple
An exceptional week onboard the Salve Di Mare cruising from Split to Debrovnik. Wonderful staff, especially Nikos our Tour Manager. Food was outstanding - thanks to the chefs! Book it - you won’t regret it!
- Samantha, 25/05/2026 10:54, Travelled in a Couple
Had a fantastic week aboard the Almissa from start to finish. We had the best crew, the best swim stops, port visits and fellow passengers. It was everything we expected and more. The ship was like one big family for the entire week. We have already recommended it to others.
- Nikki, 25/05/2026 10:32, Travelled in a Couple
Our first cruise with Sail Croatia and in Croatia. Our boat, Salve Di Mare, was really impressive, comfortable, well maintained and our below deck cabin was larger than we expected. Our fellow guests were a fantastic bunch and everyone had a great time. The crew were a highlight of the cruise, especially Marco and Vlaho, our bar staff/waiters, who made sure everyone was looked after. The food was delicious and we were sad to leave the ship. Our tour guide, Nikos, was the best and ensured everyone had a great trip. I would definitely recommend this cruise and would happily book another cruise with this company.
- Alan, 25/05/2026 09:54, Travelled in a Couple
I had a fantastic time on my Sail Croatia cruise—the route, crew, and food were all great. That said, I was surprised by the 40€ tourist tax per person, which wasn’t clearly explained upfront and for which I received no receipt. I also wasn’t comfortable with how our passports were left in an unlocked plastic box in the dining salon at night, with no visible security. Tipping felt a bit awkward too, especially when envelopes were later collected over WhatsApp after limited communication. Overall, I’d still recommend Sail Croatia, but these small improvements would make the experience even better.
- Anonymous, 25/05/2026 05:42, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for your feedback and for joining us - we’re really glad to hear you had a fantastic time onboard and enjoyed the route, crew, and food. The €40 local payment per person is payable onboard all Sail Croatia cruises. This fee covers port charges and tourist taxes throughout the week. We do communicate this in advance via our FAQs, your Online Account, all payment receipts that are emailed to you, and pre-departure information, but we appreciate your feedback. Thank you also for your comments regarding tipping and passport storage - we value this insight and will pass it on to our operations team for review.
Absolutely fantastic! The fellow passengers and crew made this trip! The food was fantastic and the swim stops were my favorite thing to do onboard. Croatia is beautiful and the itinerary was wonderful!
- Mary, 25/05/2026 05:40, Travelled in a Couple