The ship Emanuel is a well renovated 1955 small passenger ship with maximizing passenger carrying at expense of cabin space. The ship is rated standard when the brochure said Premier grade for the hiking cruise. Food was unimaginative but acceptable and drinks overpriced. Tea and coffee should be freely available during the day. The cabin was clean with a hard and lumpy bed, noise from outside was a problem at times as we were on the corridor connecting other ships alongside and music was often loud but finished at 11pm. Crew and guides were friendly and helpful but more info on the history and other information about the places visited would be good. The cruise itself visited some wonderful places and i wouldn't have missed it but things could have been done better.
- Graham, 15/06/2026 16:24, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Graham, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're pleased to hear you enjoyed the itinerary and the wonderful destinations visited, as well as the service provided by our crew and guides. Emanuel is classified within our Premier Ship category, offering amenities such as private ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioned cabins. As a traditionally built vessel, cabin sizes and layouts differ from ship to ship. For guests seeking a higher level of onboard comfort and space, we also offer our Premier Plus ship category vessels. Regarding the noise, the ports we visit operate under their own local regulations and curfews, and activity from neighbouring vessels can occasionally be beyond our control. We appreciate your comments regarding the food, onboard amenities, and guided commentary, and will take these into consideration as we continue to improve our guest experience.
We enjoyed 7 days of beauty, history, hiking, and wonderful service! The staff of Salve di Mare were top notch. Servers Marko and Vlaho, Housekeeper Julija, Representative Nikos, Trail Guide Illona, and Chef Bojan and Sous Chef Fani were all extraordinary. They were friendly, attentive, and well-organized. The deck hands kept everything ship shape, constantly cleaning or anticipating our next move. The daily breakfast buffet and 3-course lunch were top notch; thank goodness we were hiking so much!! Each day/port was amazing with the hikes, sightseeing, food, amazing Croatian history "lessons" from Nikos, incredible swim stops, and just feeling the breeze in our hair as we sailed each day. I recommend Sail Croatia's Luxury Hiking Cruise wholeheartedly. It more than met my expectations!
- Craig, 11/06/2026 13:42, Travelled with Friend/s
We really enjoyed our sail and hike trip on the Dalmation coastal islands. The trip was very well organised with great communication and leadership from beginning to end. The ship crew were friendly and helpful. Our tour leaders Natasha and Sasa were fantastic. Friendly, kind, and patient; genuinely good people. The structure of the trip was great, with flexibility to handle preferences from the group. We ended up hiking early and swimming late because it was already warm. The level of hikes were challenging without being exhausting. Definitely suitable for moderately experienced hikers and a reasonable fitness level. Happily everyone listened to the leaders well and there were no issues at all during the stay. Just a great fun time and the best way to see the islands. We would definitely do it again if our bucket list was shorter.
- Steve, 04/06/2026 14:24, Travelled with Family
We enjoyed 7 days of beauty, history, hiking, and wonderful service! The staff of Salve di Mare were top notch. Markos, Vlaho, Julia, Nikos, Illona, the chef and sous chef were all extraordinary. They were friendly, attentive, and well-organized. The deck hands kept them "ship shape," constantly cleaning or anticipating our next move. The daily breakfast buffet and 3-course lunch were top notch; thank goodness we were hiking so much. I recommend Sail Croatia's "Luxury Hiking Cruise" wholeheartedly. It more than met my expectations!
- Anonymous, 03/06/2026 10:44, Travelled in a Couple
We had a fantastic hiking cruise from Dubrovnik to Split (and many stops along the way). The trip was very well organized. The guide and crew were incredible. I highly recommend Sail Croatia.
- Sean, 01/06/2026 11:01, Travelled in a Couple
This was a great, varied cruise. The food was amazing, the sights wonderful and the culture is fantastic.
- Trent, 01/06/2026 00:46, Travelled with Family
Mario and Matilda were amazing. They were personable and patient and they were attuned to our needs as hikers. The food was delicious and the Chef was delightful. We are vegetarians/pescatarian eaters and he was so very accommodating and creative. The hikes were lovely and challenged us but provided the most unbelievable vistas of Croatia. The ship, Mali Ante, was clean and stable due to the Captain's skill at maneuvering the ship. Special mention to Ivan in the dining hall. He was always pleasing and cheerful and his service was impeccable. Croatia is a beautiful country made more so by the staff of Sail Croatia. Thanks!
- Earl, 25/05/2026 12:32, Travelled in a Couple
It was a top experience and a great value. Accommodations were good, food was fantastic. Most of all the staff was first rate and really worked hard to accommodate guests needs. Good balance of easy and more challenging hikes, lots of free time, and swimming opportunities. Loved it. Would recommend to anyone who likes to see lots and keep moving.
- Paul, 25/05/2026 04:13, Travelled with Family
One of the best holidays I've had. Great location, super ship, wonderful crew and guides whose organisational skills made sure everything was very smooth. The ample and excellent food complimented the week. The best compliment is to say I'd love to do it all again.
- Anonymous, 22/05/2026 12:47, Travelled in a Couple
Everything about the trip was five stars. I couldn’t fault it. Special shout out to Sasha & Mate for making the trip and hikes so special.
- Adrian, 20/05/2026 17:47, Travelled with Friend/s
Wonderfully relaxing trip. Lots of things to see and explore. Easy to be as active as you want
- Larry, 20/05/2026 07:40, Travelled with Family
It was a really good holiday. Mario and Matilda were excellent guides the crew the Cook and the Captain were really helpful and really good people. People the only fault I could find was most boats I’ve been on have free tea, coffee available and afternoon snacks the places us we visited and the hiking that we went on we made all the easier by the crew and the tour guides we both really enjoyed it. The tip situation where we were supposed to have a blank envelope so it was at Unknown what cabin the tips came from did not happen the envelope had everyone’s room number on and name. I really feel like this needs clarifying from yourselves as you have already said the staff are well paid and tipping is optional and the amounts that were suggested from yourselves for per person I believe for far too high and I believe no amount should be suggested i.e. top end or bottom end for tips as this is down to the individual of what they can afford without feeling pressurised this tainted the holida
- Michael Davies, 19/05/2026 13:29, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for your 5 Star review and for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable holiday and that our Sail Croatia guides, the Captain, crew and Cook helped make your experience so memorable. We will be very pleased to pass on your kind comments to them all. We also appreciate your honest feedback regarding the tipping guidance and the process. We are sorry to hear this aspect left you feeling uncomfortable and impacted your experience. While tipping is entirely optional with amounts provided simply guidance only, we understand your concerns and the importance of maintaining discretion for guests who choose to tip. Your comments have already been shared internally with our Operations team as we continually review how this information is communicated via our website and onboard based on customer feedback. Thank you again for travelling with us and for providing such thoughtful feedback.
We had a wonderful time Mata and Sasa were great guides and made the hikes a great experience We loved the quality of the boat a lovely very clean cabin and lovely food every day The whole team gave us a wonderful holiday many thanks to everyone
- Mark, 18/05/2026 13:35, Travelled in a Couple
This trip was everything I could hope for. From our guides Mario and Matilda to the crew of the Mali Ante. Everything we did was a blast. Tons of hikes and crazy weather and lenty of swim stops.
- Derek, 18/05/2026 08:56, Travelled in a Couple
Myself, my wife and 9 friends had an absolutely brilliant week, sailing around Croatia on a perfectly sized boat (30 passengers). The accommodation was great, the food delicious and the amount of hiking spot on. Some hikes were challenging some were easy but it was a great balance. The guides were friendly, informative and looked after us just right. I highly recommend the trip to active folks who want to see the sun, sea and Croatia.
- Anthony, 18/05/2026 07:08, Travelled with Family
A new experience made great by the people, the food and the adventure!
- Len, 04/05/2026 06:11, Travelled in a Couple
Tour guides were great, food excellent, walking tours lovely. What's not to like. A nice active holiday.
- Brian, 07/10/2025 08:14, Travelled in a Couple
The boat crew and the tour guide and cruise manager, also the chef who provided fantastic food. All went over and above what was expected. The rest of the crew were equally as good.
- Murray, 06/10/2025 13:06, Travelled in a Couple
The boat was just the right size. No issues with crowds getting on and off, we came and went as we pleased. The staff was amazing from the captain to Mario our bartender/meal server, the cooks the crew ans of course our two guides Lola and Natasha were awesome. They provided detailed info as to what were going to do, had a good pace on the hikes and adjusted the schedule on the fly. These two are great problem solvers as to moving hikes and islands when needed. While we all knew in general where and what we were going to do it was so nice not ever having to worry as to the planning We travel alot and both said one of our top vacations
- kevin weidman, 02/10/2025 18:29, Travelled in a Couple
The crew of the Mali Ante were first rate. From the captain to the assistant cook, everyone was friendly , helpful, attentive to our needs and very informative. The hikes were more challenging than expected, but our tour guides, Lola and Natasha made each trek enjoyable, informative and rewarding. After the hikes, the daily swim sessions were just what we needed. I would recommend this trip to any who enjoy beautiful scenery coupled with food, history and exercise.
- Randall, 02/10/2025 16:45, Travelled in a Couple
What a great to experience the Dalmatian coast. Staff couldn’t be better on. Thank you, thank you thank you
- Chris, 30/09/2025 11:50, Travelled with Friend/s
So much, especially the guides, the crew, the chef, and the fellow passengers. The chef was a true "MasterChef" The guides were very well briefed on the areas history and geography The weather was good, and the sea was both warm and clear for swimming
- Ian , 29/09/2025 13:06, Travelled in a Couple
Captain, tour guides and front line staff were great. Room was not great with a bed that you could feel the metal springs, lumpy pillows, lights that didn’t work, safe that wasn’t opened, Generator noise was intrusive into the room during the night. In port the boats were often racked together so that you had to pass through multiple boats to get onto shore. This also trapped diesel exhaust fumes on still nights, making staying outside at the back of the boat uncomfortable.
- Anonymous, 29/09/2025 08:36, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for your review and for your kind words about our captain, crew, and staff – we’re pleased you felt well looked after during your cruise. We regret to hear about the issues you experienced with your cabin. If we had known at the time, we would have done our best to resolve them and make your stay more comfortable. Regarding port mooring, it is standard practice for small ship cruising that boats are tied alongside one another in port. While this can occasionally limit open-air space, please rest assured that our boats remain idle with engines switched off to keep noise and fumes to a minimum. Your comments are very valuable to us, and we will certainly take them into account as we continue to improve.
Experience was exactly as advertised. Crew saw to all of our needs. Hikes were well planned and well guided.
- Kevin, 22/09/2025 20:25, Travelled with Family
The crew of the Mali Luka and our amazing hike guides Natasha and Ilona were a great team. We were surprised to find out this was the first week those two young women had worked together as they did a wonderful job. All the hikes and the options were well thought out. The planned wine tasting and group dinner were really good ideas as was the captains dinner. All the meals were well prepared and bountiful. One of the best parts.was the camaraderie that developed among our fellow travelers which truly made the week extra special and it was hard to say our goodbyes when the week ended. This was our first trip with Sail Croatia but it definitely will not be our last.
- Alan and Carol, 22/09/2025 18:26, Travelled in a Couple
Excellent guides and beautiful destinations. Hiking trails fitted the group and if not alternatives were on offer.
- Bjarni , 22/09/2025 05:50, Travelled with Friend/s
All went well as expected and promoted by friends and literature. Always enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. Wish we had a little more time for water activities, but hiking kind of chews up that time. Thanks for a great trip.
- ROBERT G., 17/09/2025 12:57, Travelled with Friend/s
The hiking cruise was sensational — an ideal blend of adventure, scenery, and seamless planning. Each hike offered breathtaking views and just the right level of challenge: enough to feel accomplished but never overwhelming. The hikes provided spectacular views of Croatia’s coastal beauty. What truly elevated the experience were our guides, Mate and Hana. They were outstanding—knowledgeable, warm, and incredibly attentive. Whether it was sharing local insights, adjusting pace for the group, or simply bringing great energy to each day, they made the journey feel personal and memorable. The itineraries were fantastic, striking a perfect balance between structured activity and time to relax or explore. Every detail felt considered, from the timing of hikes to the onboard experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Croatia in a unique, active, and deeply rewarding way.
- Andrew Hutchinson, 15/09/2025 13:25, Travelled in a Couple
Everything was amazing about the sail and hike, the food, the service, the country. Especially impressive were the crew of the boat! Well done!!
- William, 03/07/2025 16:37, Travelled in a Couple
The Dalmatian Coast is beautiful, and sailing on the Colombo was a great experience. The crew was awesome: great food (thanks Ivan), great service (thanks Bruno) and great sailors (thanks to Mislav and Mikula).
- Gordon, 17/06/2025 17:46, Travelled in a Couple
Everyone on the Afrodita works so hard, the ship was very well maintained and the food was great. The hike guides very good and well informed. The trails were not maintained by any standards basically goat paths. I slipped and fell on first hike injured my leg, cuts and bruised on the loose sharp rock. The guides Martin and ILona were great. Martin applied bandages to my leg to stop the bleeding then helped me finish the last kilometer back to the boat. I had to skip the hike the next day and only did 5 of the 7 hikes opting to do the easiest. Looking back I wish I knew the trail conditions, the length and elevations were all that I remember and the hikes were moderate. Next time we will do the elegant cruse. I wish I could give 5 stars.
- Brandon Weder, 08/06/2025 14:35, Travelled in a Couple
Great guides took us on some great walks., followed by relaxation in the water and local village. The boat, food and staff were terrific. Thank you
- Mike, 06/06/2025 08:42, Travelled in a Couple
The ship, the crew and the company were all superb. A beautiful ship, which was constantly being looked after by the enthusiastic crew, and a group of travellers from the far corners of the world who met and mixed throughout the week and who all became friends. Beautiful islands and interesting walks, led by Mate who was an excellent and experienced local guide and who gave us so much information about the history of each area. He really was an important part of the trip. And not to forget the breakfasts and lunches which were really good and gave us the calories to complete the walks and at a pace that suited all levels. Altogether a memorable week and a great way to mark our Golden Wedding.
- Hugh, 30/05/2025 09:50, Travelled in a Couple
The boat was immaculate. A credit to the skipper and crew. The guides Mika and Lola were fantastic.
- Warwick , 28/05/2025 10:50, Travelled with Family
Everything was near perfection. The Sail Croatia Reps, Mila and Lola were fantastic, knowledgeable, knew how to keep things moving with grace and good does of humor. The Cabin Crew and Deck Crew were super friendly and acted with concern as a was recovering from a bout of food poisoning (not Sail Croatia's or the Emanuel's Fault). Fellow passengers were super friendly and everyone got along well. Suggestions: 1: Cabins are a bit Spartan and could use a design refreshment 2: Make hiking poles available (I could not bring mine due to carry-on luggage rules) 3: Serve lunch after the hikes
- Ken, 27/05/2025 15:54, Travelled with Family
Everything worked like a well oiled machine. Those who wanted to walk did and those who didn't didn't. There was no pressure on anyone. Staff were thoughtful and attentive. Thought was put into what people wanted to do including consultation as to preferences due to weather issues.
- Martin, 26/05/2025 06:03, Travelled with Friend/s
My wife and I didn't know what to expect, but the experience was first class. The tour guides - Anita and Mate, were fantastic and made for a great trip, as did the rest of the crew. Would certainly go with Sail Croatia again.
- Nic, 19/05/2025 00:30, Travelled in a Couple
Many aspects: Being early in season we had it all to ourselves. Our small group of 14 made it very fun and social. The boat was clean and well maintained and the crew knew their business. Breakfasts and lunches were good in fact overtop. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating. Our hiking guides were gracious and knowledgeable. Everything was smooth and organized. My only issue was WiFi/internet access wa spotty at best.
- David, 18/05/2025 13:07, Travelled in a Couple
From the first greeting at the dock in Split to making sure we had transport to our next destination in Dubrovnik, Anita made us feel like family. Each day’s activities were communicated through regular briefings and schedule updates on WhatsApp. Our hiking guide, Mate, explained the details of each walk and made sure we all felt confident with the pace and difficulty each time he led us to the magical views he shared with us. The crew were fantastic. The Captain changed some days around to avoid bad weather and rough seas. The food was great and the ship was always clean and tidy. We had a great time and the Sail Croatia guides and the Salve Di Mare crew made sure we were comfortable, active and well informed. We learnt so much about Croatia. Obviously a place loved by our guides and the crew. Thank you for sharing your country and your knowledge with us!!
- Tom, 14/05/2025 18:27, Travelled in a Couple
Sail Croatia staff were amazing. Anita and Matthias (sp?) were both perfect hosts. They made the trip. Hikes were amazing, knowledge of local attractions was fantastic. Salve Di Mare boat was beautiful and crew were also amazing. Food was top notch and each stop was a different and incredible experience. The trip exceeded our expectations - highly recommend!
- Darren, 12/05/2025 14:32, Travelled in a Couple
The guides Marte and Lola brought Croatia to life for us. They had love and enthusiasm in showing us the history and beauty of their home. There was a genuine feeling of exploration and excitement within our group. The crew on board the Salve di Mare were so welcoming as well, whilst they worked so hard at their jobs.
- Warren, 05/05/2025 03:17, Travelled in a Couple
The beauty of the islands/locations we visited/hiked, the delicious Croatian dishes we enjoyed and the intimate nature of our ship Columbo all lived up to our high expectations. What we did not foresee was even more significant in making this a most memorable journey: the wonderful camaraderie that quickly developed amongst our fellow marauders, the warmth and capable leadership of our incredible guides (Mate and Karla), and the ,world class professionalism of Captain Antonio, Bruno and the rest of the crew,, We came in search of some adventure and left with new friends, an immense fondness for Croatia and its proud people. For this , we owe tremendous thanks to Mate and Karla who were the orchestra leaders who helped us all make music. Unforgettable!
- Terry, 09/10/2024 08:44, Travelled in a Couple
We sailed on the Colombo last week. It was glorious. Though the weather was changeable, the atmosphere on board remained fun loving. Credit must go to the superb captain and crew for safe sailing and adaptability. Swim stops, meals and wonderful evenings will remain in the memory. Special mention must be made, though, of our two wonderful guides: Mate and Karla, not just because they were instructive experts in their hiking field, but also unifying us as a group. They were special and charmed us all. We were all sad to say goodbye at the end of the tour. We are now looking forward to our next Sail Croatia trip in 2025
- Anonymous, 07/10/2024 17:18, Travelled in a Couple
The sail and hike experience was a great combination! The hikes were reasonably challenging but worth the views at the top and each one was unique. The hiking guides were so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The boat was in impeccable condition and the crew members went out of their way to make the sailing a memorable experience. My wife needed a gluten free menu which was no trouble whatsoever.
- Jeremy, 30/09/2024 05:55, Travelled in a Couple
We did a Sail Croatia hike trip. Sail Croatia knew ahead of time some of the people were unable to hike but were interested in the islands we were visiting to see the towns and the history. I would have expected that the coordinators would have given suggestions for things to do and historical information. If you weren't hiking you received limited attention.
- Greggory, 26/09/2024 03:02, Travelled with Friend/s
The boat and crew were fantastic as was the scenery of the islands and coastline of Croatia. The best part was being able to get off the boat and hike to peaks or points of interest every day. We saw so much more of Croatia than we would have had we not selected the Sail & Hike trip with Sail Croatia. Thoroughly recommended!!
- Mark, 03/09/2024 07:58, Travelled in a Couple
The team was amazing, nothing was to much trouble. Food and the hiking was top class! Glad we hiked as it was something to do at each stop. Best way to see Croatia is on a cruise and 7 nights is just perfect.
- Barbara, 08/07/2024 07:52, Travelled with Friend/s
We really enjoyed the hiking with sail Croatia. With only 30 passengers on board, there is ample opportunity to meet everyone. The staff and crew were excellent and our guides were so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Would definitely recommend this holiday.
- Jenny, 01/07/2024 18:51, Travelled in a Couple
Both guides and all crew were great, the other guests were good fun to be with and the hikes, swimming, food and all the locations were all great. So good we are considering doing the Dubrovnik trip next year 👍😀
- Nigel, 17/06/2024 14:16, Travelled in a Couple
I am a 17 year old non-speaking autistic who loves the sea and mountains. I had one of the best holidays ever, hiking on different islands everyday, whilst travelling & staying on a boat. The staff were exceptional, they were always fully inclusive and presumed competence in me. They gave me all the support I needed without patronising me, I felt empowered and leave this week with a wonderful sense of achievement and even more confidence in my abilities. I spell on letter boards to communicate, I am a ‘Speller’, I love travel and meeting new people, this holiday was so wonderful and so were all the remarkable others I spent the week with.❤️😎❤️ Thank you so much!
- George , 03/06/2024 06:40, Travelled with Family