We enjoyed each destination, the swim stops and the variety of experiences. Our chief stew was amazing for coordinating activities, both free and paid, but we didn't do many excursions as they are pricey for the value, We still found plenty of fun things to do in each port! The accomodations and food fell short of our expectations though - there were three people on the boat with dietary restrictions or vegetarian, and we were only given extra services of the veggies/starch with no protein substitute. I often left hungry as we were unable to eat a lot for what was provided. The serving staff were also not accommodating, often dismissive or talking over our attempts to sort out alternatives for food. We also ran out of toilet paper a few times, and the showers didn't drain. Overall the itinerary made the trip worth while, but would hope to see a better effort to accommodate guests who don't eat meat.
- Anonymous, 09/06/2025 16:33, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there, Thank you for your 4 star review! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the itinerary, swim stops, and variety of experiences throughout your trip. It’s also fantastic to know that your representative helped make your time onboard more enjoyable. We’re sorry to hear that the food and onboard accommodations didn’t meet your expectations. We understand how important it is to feel well-catered for and your comments have been passed onto our team. I can see your dietary requirement was noted and passed onto the chef. We also appreciate the feedback about onboard supplies and facilities. We’ll be looking into these matters with the crew to prevent similar issues on future departures. Thank you again for joining Sail Croatia!
Amazing scenery, nice boat and wonderful staff.
- Joanna, 02/06/2025 05:52, Travelled with Friend/s
We enjoyed our Split to Dubrovnik cruise; a great itinerary with lovely ports of call. The crew on board were exceptional - Max and Milan especially were so friendly and attentive - they really made us feel welcome. The cruise director, Dino, worked hard to help us with port stops and excursions. Overall, a great trip but there are definitely a few things that could be done to improve the experience: for instance, tea and coffee should be available throughout the day - we had to pay 3.50 euros for each cup of tea, and the trip excursions were very expensive eg we paid 60 euros each for the Vis tour which had 8 of us crammed into a closed landrover and those in the back unable to see anything out of the window or hear anything the driver said. The food on board ship was very carbohydrate heavy - very few veggies eg menu on day 2 was: starter = pasta, main course = rice and bit of meat, dessert = semolina type pudding. I was craving some fruit and veg! Overall a good experience though.
- Anonymous, 19/05/2025 17:27, Travelled with Friend/s
We were a group of friends (8) who joined Sail Croatia for the Dubrovnik to Split 7 day cruise. The cabins were comfortable, the bathroom more spacious than the normal cruise ship. With only 40 people onboard I was concerned that we would be in each others pockets. There is more than enough space onboard to ensure you can read a book quietly if you want. The staff on our cruise (Salve de Mere) were supurb, from the maid throufg to the Captain, we were all in excellent hands. I loved the fact that we docked in small ports each night so we could enjoy local restaurants and bars. Each morning we stopped for a swim...as it was late season a few of us decamped to the jaquizzi where we had pre lunch cocktails...great fun! Each afternoon we were given options of excursions we could take, from walking and exploring, to bike rides and wine tasting. I would probably give the Buggies a miss as you travel in convoy at about 20kms per hour...very boring and a waste of money..
- Simon, 23/10/2024 11:31, Travelled with Friend/s
The "Tempera" cruise was interesting bc it stopped every day at a different island unlike other large cruise ships. The boat was small which allowed both the crew and the 36 passengers aboard to get to know each other. The food + its preparation were excellent. Above all, our guide, Ioana was so pleasant and knowledgeable, funny and accommodating. She got to know each one of her guests and always made sure we were happy with her options for us at each stop. Her briefings were engaging. Secondly, our meal server - M_____, was extremely kind and hard-working. Constructive criticism: In order to allow more sightseeing time, serve breakfast and DINNER instead of lunch. We felt a bit shortchanged by the current dining schedule. Overall, it was a lovely way to spend a vacation! Thank you to all for making us feel comfortable and safe!!
- Liz, 09/10/2024 21:13, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff were great on this trip, especially Ioana our guide! Food. On the ship was very good and plentiful. The captain adjusted our itinerary for the weather. We had options to join group activities and dinners. Only wish we had more time off the boat. This cruise would be difficult for someone with mobility issues-especially in lower cabins and needing to cross between boats at ports. We had daily swim stops in am.
- Lynne, 07/10/2024 14:26, Travelled with Friend/s
Small boat, great staff
- Helen , 07/10/2024 07:01, Travelled with Friend/s
Klara’s energy and enthusiasm was contagious. Every morning she had a spring in her step which set the tone for the entire cruise. She was very approachable and answered all questions and queries with a happy smile. The boat was clean and in good condition. Would have liked a little more time in port and less ‘swim’ time as the towns had a lot to experience. Would recommend Sail Croatia to my friends.
- Amanda, 30/09/2024 08:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Dora was great, however, the recommended dinner - the one not included- was just *fair* and they over charged us and we were left to deal with paying. I feel like payment is something the cruise director should handle. It was chaotic and a bad way to end our evening. Also, I would have done more yoga, but it was usually just a little bit too early- I was on holiday, so I didn’t want to set an alarm. The only other suggestion: have more drinks for non-drinkers. Don’t run out of Coke Zero. I’m sure non-drinkers are not your normal clientele, but it would have been nice to be offered something else to drink when wine tastings were offered. The last dinner (the one that was included did a fantastic job of that. We felt seen, rather than ignored. Thanks so much. Overall I would recommend this yoga cruise.
- Nellie, 19/09/2024 13:02, Travelled with Friend/s
We really enjoyed our trip on Almissa. Our cruise director did a good job informing us of the daily schedule and working with excursion providers to give us the best experience. We enjoyed the yoga sessions. There was a good variety of excursions for all activity levels. We enjoyed exploring the towns. A lot of history, shopping, food options and gelato! The ship was the perfect size. We had a fun group of passengers. The crew did a great job of keeping things clean and organized and the food was good too. We don’t have any complaints!
- Danae, 16/09/2024 00:42, Travelled with Friend/s
Friendly crew and clean boat. Itinerary had more swim stops than expected which was frustrating at 2 places. We should have asked and paid for tender rides to explore the towns longer. Felt like a waste of time. Not enough time in Hvar or Kumiža - definitely could have spent a full day exploring those towns. Bath towels are very thin and there is NO space in your cabin for large suitcases. Our carry-ons just fit under the bed - no idea where larger bags would go. Plenty of fresh water for showers but you need bottled water for cleaning your teeth. No frills but great way to see the Dalmatian Coast and explore the islands.
- KimR , 09/09/2024 02:53, Travelled with Friend/s
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with sail Croatia. I enjoyed being on the boat and exploring all the amazing destinations. The swim stops each day were a massive highlight being able to jump straight in to the beautiful ocean waters. The team were very welcoming and accommodating, especially Branko! If we needed something he was on top of helping out in whatever way he could. I feel that the sheets should be changed half way through the trip and that the bathrooms need more of a deeper clean. The breakfast buffet was great and the food served each day for lunch included a variety of cultural dishes and more and although I don’t eat sea food, there were many that I enjoyed thoroughly. There were many excursions offered which I did, however for the price some were average. Overall I enjoyed myself and the trip was a trip of a lifetime meeting so many amazing people!
- Katelin, 27/08/2024 15:15, Travelled with Friend/s
Have just returned from a week on the Almissa. The boat was lovely and our above deck cabin was perfect for a week, comfortable bed, enough storage for clothes and a lovely en suite. The crew were very friendly and nothing was too much. The islands we visited had stunning scenery and we loved the daily swim stops. Breakfast was plentiful, as was the three course lunch. Can highly recommend this way to holiday.
- Nicky, 08/07/2024 16:29, Travelled with Friend/s
Overall, the trip was great. It's a wonderful way to see Croatia in short period of time. The staff is so fun and friendly. And to be able to relax and swim everyday really added to the experience. While the experiences included are fun, it does not feel authentic but more focused on those on the similar cruise itinerary. It was tough only having a late afternoons and evenings in ports, I would have loved a mixed of mornings/early afternoons at port, and then afternoon swims.
- Lisa, 02/07/2024 19:16, Travelled with Friend/s
Dear Lisa, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 4-star review! We are delighted to hear that you found the cruise relaxing and our staff friendly. Your feedback on the swim stops is greatly appreciated, and we will certainly take it into consideration to enhance our guests' experience. Our ships do have specific itineraries and timings to follow, due to port authorities. We look forward to welcoming you aboard again in the future! Kind regards,
The whole trip was awesome! Well organised and staff were fantastic
- Natalie , 25/06/2024 07:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Sailed southern Croatia with Sail Croatia for 7 days Dubrovnik to Split. We had a wonderful crew (Klara, Bobbin, Antonio) and group who made the trip amazing. Their cooks made three course meals, we were all fed. Went to some beautiful islands, saw incredible sites and made new friends. I would have loved to have spent more time on some of stops. Glad I did this trip.
- Allison, 24/05/2024 10:05, Travelled with Friend/s
We were a large group of friends/acquaintances travelling together and had a marvellous time. We even met new friends as well. All the guests got along and there were lots of laughs and fun had. Personal thou we had a room with the outer wall from a staircase on one wall and I was always banging my head on it, kind of peculiar! The crew was good but did not do a lot of extras.
- Wendy, 18/09/2023 08:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Staff, food and company was very good. Our tour guide/instructor Ivana was excellent, knowledgeable, informative and very helpful. She did a great job.
- Domenic, 24/07/2023 17:28, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff and tour guide (Ivana) were fantastic and made the trip really great, also mixing it up with the young people was fantastic also. Cheers, Andrew
- Andrew, 24/07/2023 16:55, Travelled with Friend/s
It was a wonderful 7 day trip from Split to Dobrovnik with stops at several islands. Weather fantastic, scenery breathtaking, people so friendly. The cabins were clean and spacious and the food on board excellent. A wonderful way to see Croatia for the first time.
- Ian , 27/06/2023 06:54, Travelled with Friend/s
Sail Croatia offers the best experience to see coastal Croatia w/ their Explorer cruise. As a 2nd time guest, we loved it enough to come back with friends and families and do it all again! Our host Vicko was FANTASTIC, his communication, commitment to creating an inclusive and fun experience that brought all the guests together stood out. The crew remembered everyone's dietary needs with accuracy. The other guests were amazing & everyone got on great! The food was beautiful + tasty. Needs improvement: the lingering sewage smell in the lower deck area that wasnt a problem the last time we travelled on the Almissa. Bedding needs changing mid week along with the towels seemed a bit worn. The crew were nice overall. Loved the swim spots in unique coves for that shallow water swim experience that was great for pics The daily excursions were fun, but wished we had more time in Korcula. Would be great to have sold snacks at the bar. Add the ability to take card payments on board. Thank you!
- Alyssa, 24/06/2023 02:56, Travelled with Friend/s
Crew fab, food fab, majority or stops fab ! BUT drinks FAR FAR FAR too expensive ! Bottle of wine on boat 100 euros, off boat 30/40 euros!! Bottle of grey goose 180 euros , Really ??????? Why not sell more for less ?????
- Sally Rowley , 19/06/2023 09:23, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for taking the time to review our services, Sally. Those drink prices do sound pricey! We have passed your feedback to our operations team including the Captain so these can be looked into. It is great to hear that everything was fabulous and we can't wait to welcome you onboard again!
Everything was lovely, crew and guide fantastic! Can’t wait to do it again!!
- Christie, 12/06/2023 12:38, Travelled with Friend/s
It would be nice if the swim stops were shorter (year round) or if a dingy/taxi were available for guests to leave the ship earlier during swim stops, especially in the cooler months since the water temp is too chilly to swim for more than about an hour. SUPs, kayaks or bikes stored on board for guest use would be an amazing addition. Offerings of Yoga, Dance, exercise classes, etc. on the sun deck, daily, would be nice. Some games (cards, etc.) would be nice to have on hand for people who don't swim. The Tour manager should have a comprehensive spreadsheet/list of services at each island (laundry, bike rentals, pharmacies, clinics, etc.) instead of having to Google search for these places/services. This could be shared with guests as the board the boat. Thanks!
- Stephanie, 26/09/2022 15:26, Travelled with Friend/s
Blown away by the beauty of Croatia and the Adriatic coast. Beautiful islands, some much busier than others, but all with beautiful buildings, interesting history, friendly people and delicious food. It was lovely to be able to swim from the boat, but more time on the islands would have been most welcome, as our times there felt limited. The staff on the boat were helpful and friendly and the public spaces on the boat beautiful. Some cabins were rather small. I enjoyed the food. A daily menu would have been helpful, if known in advance, so we could plan our dining better. The coffee machine was not great. Expectations for good coffee are now the norm! There are many other similar boats doing a similar trip, so don't think you are on a unique experience!! They will be moored up beside you every evening, so don't worry about the view from your cabin!! Thank you Sail Croatia for an enjoyable holiday!
- Anne, 20/09/2022 13:18, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi Anne, thank you for taking the time to review your cruise with us this summer on board Salve di Mare. We truly are so pleased to read that the beauty of Croatia and the Adriatic Coast exceeded your expectations - we have to agree, Croatia is certainly a stunning country and it's been great having you explore with us. I will be sure to pass your recommendations and comments onto the relevant teams, especially regarding more time ashore to explore. Thank you for joining us for a fantastic week on board - we would be happy to have you join us again!
Sailing on the Salve di Mare with 30 other guests was a smashing experience. As the review only allows 1000 words here are the main points . -Positives Relaxing daily routine Excellent sea swimming Good breakfast choices / food quality very good Friendly and accommodating crew Sociable and friendly guests to chat to Beautiful boat very clean Wine tasting and military tours very good -Areas least enjoyed Cabin very small not enough hooks /storage Bathroom flooded everyday , smell from drains No lunch menu or choice - 4 courses, food wasted Rubbish coffee from a machine Expensive bar Poor communication re itinerary changes missed trips due to bad weather and limited activities No access to shore when moored Needed more games and gatherings on board / get to know guests etc
- Anonymous, 19/09/2022 07:27, Travelled with Friend/s
Every place we visited is truly beautiful. Ivana, Daniel, Mario and the rest of the crew were always there to make sure the trip was as pleasant as possible. This was my 3rd trip in the past 6 years on this same boat, so you can imagine how much I like it and strongly recommend it. The friendships you make and the experiences you live can last you a life time if you choose to. Cheers!!
- Cesar , 18/07/2022 10:40, Travelled with Friend/s
The booking team at Sail Croatia was responsive and accommodating in answering my questions and getting together last minute booking requests for me. The most difficult part was finding where the boat was docked but once I made it & met Stephanie, it was smooth sailing. The boat itself is a decent size and nice especially if you book a private room. The air con was off/on. The one turnover service was appreciated. Some meals were adaptable to vegetarians— but not all were accommodating for those lactose intolerant or gluten free. Activities I enjoyed most: National Park in Mljet, wandering the streets of Korcula, taking in views over Vela Luka, shopping in Stari Grad & dancing all night in Hvar! This was a nice way to see a lot in a short amount of time in a safe, fun way while meeting nice people from all over the world. Weather disrupted some plans but overall it was a lovely vacation. The itinerary offered a blend of freedom to explore & structured activities.
- Sonia , 11/07/2022 20:59, Travelled with Friend/s
Mia and the crew on the Almissa did a spectacular job! Mia was informative, fun, and very easy to contact and assist. Croatia was beautiful as always, and we would recommend this trip to all of our friends
- Maria, 20/06/2022 04:09, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff were exceptional !! Food was great !! Destinations amazing !!
- Shelley , 18/09/2019 17:26, Travelled with Friend/s
Many thanks for your review of your Explorer cruise!
The staff made this trip exceed all expectations. Ana went beyond to cater for any requests and tour changes due to weather. Guest satisfaction was their priority. Special thanks to captain Jure and staff, they were so genuine and humorous. The Almissa itself was really comfortable. The only thing I suggest is adding some shade on the sun deck.
- Sharon, 06/08/2019 07:38, Travelled with Friend/s
Thanks so much for joining us this season on board Almissa. It's amazing to hear the trip exceeded your expectations and that you were pleased with the crew on board - I will be sure to pass your thanks onto them. Thank you!
Overall the trip was nice. The ports were good and the time spent in each town was very good. Also, the swim spots were fantastic. Service was definitely lacking. Not an overly friendly staff (maybe that's a cultural thing but if you're in the hospitality business you need to train folks to be ...hospitable!). Also the "rationing" of information daily seemed really weird. Just give the information put in a print out in the cabins and leave it at that. The lunch presentations were bizarre. Mia, our cruise director was lovely. Very nice and very helpful. Not sure why they schedule a full on sit down lunch everyday. Why not just a simple buffet? Salad bar, sandwich bar, a hot item and let people come between 12 - 2 p.m. at their leisure would have been perfect. Having to change clothes and go up to do sit down lunch every day was not for our group but maybe some folks would enjoy it. The boat was really nice. The rooms were excellent and the public space on the boat was A+.
- anna, 05/08/2019 17:51, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there, thank you for your review of your Explorer cruise with us this season on board Cristal. Amazing to hear you had a nice trip overall and that you enjoyed the ports and the swim stops. I will be sure to advise our Operations Manager your comments on the crew on board, thank you for letting us know. I will also pass your comments and thanks onto Mia, she will be pleased to hear this. Thanks for joining us this season!
Had a great week sailing with Sail Croatia. Most guests were Australian and we’re lovely people. It would have been great to meet more people from other countries though. The food was ok but didn’t cater very well for vegetarians. The staff were all friendly and helpful. I would recommend Sail Croatia to anyone! Would be great if there were a couple of treadmills and stationary bikes onboard as I saw on some other boats.
- Eva, 22/07/2019 10:03, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for your review. We are really pleased you had a great week onboard our cruise with some lovely fellow travellers. Thank you for your comments on the food, our chefs are always happy to provide alternative options for those with dietary requirements, and if upon request, can provide additional servings. Thank you for recommending us and look out - we may offer some treadmills and bikes on our cruises in the future :-).
The tour/cruise director was fabulous. The stops and excursions offered were wonderful!
- Melissa, 15/07/2019 10:52, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for your review - it's great to hear you had a good time!
- Anonymous, 15/07/2019 09:07, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you for your review :)
We travelled on the Christal explorer cruise with Steph. We were a group of four single young girls (I’m 28) and steph straight away made us feel incredibly comfortable and made sure she included us in younger events happening on the islands. We decided to do this trip rather that the navigator as we wanted the nicer accommodation on board, and the cristal provided that. Our only complaints really would be for the price we paid ($4000 nzd) we would have expected a little more from the food, staff on board captains night and wine and cheese night. This was I think and issue from the boat rather than sail Croatia. We honestly have nothing but amazing things to say about Steph, she was truly a fantastic representation of Sail Croatia!
- Bianca, 08/07/2019 03:38, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there and thanks for your raving review! We are sure Steph will enjoy reading your lovely comments, thank you. It's great to hear you enjoyed your accommodation onboard Cristal, and we will feed your suggestions for improvements to our Operations Team. We hope to have you join us in Croatia for another adventure!
Great cruise with anna she was wonderful. Make sure if you start boat trip in Dubrovnik you ask Taki driver to drop you off under bridge at port grizzly? Food great. We asked for house red wine after two days we were given the Dearer red wine double the price so make sure you know which wine you are getting? They must have run out of house red. Great swim stops great islands great captain
- Roxanne, 17/06/2019 06:29, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi there and thanks for the review! That's right - if you are coming in to Dubrovnik, the main point would be either under the bridge near Port Gruz or the main bus station in Dubrovnik, which is about a 5-10 minute from the port. It would be our pleasure to source house red wine for you and replenish stock if a certain beverage has run out, and we will be sure to look into the delays in getting this onboard for you. Glad you enjoyed the swim stops and the company of your captain.
The cruise ship Almissa was well planned and organised. I really enjoyed the whole setup and our lovely tour guide Ivana, who introduced us to the perfect way of experiencing island hopping. The food wa great!!! Took me a while to get used to the Black risotto tough... maybe next time will be beter. Thanking the Sail Croatia admin team as well in helping managing our booking, and this was a great and effortless experience.
- Anonymous, 08/06/2019 10:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi and thank you for your 5-star rating! We are really happy to hear you enjoyed your experience onboard Almissa and got to embrace the essence of Croatia as a whole, trying new foods and enjoying the different islands visited. We will be sure to pass your comments on to the captain, crew and the Reservations Team. Thank you.
Great sailing, good food, and timing at each port was wonderful!
- Kelly, 09/10/2018 20:39, Travelled with Friend/s
Great boat with amazing views
- Anonymous, 01/10/2018 04:00, Travelled with Friend/s
The crew of the kraljica Jelena made the difference between a simple standard cruise and a great cruise. Dont get me wrong, the boat itself was superb but you still have to have the right team to get the service and the buzz happening. All the crew were there to service OUR needs on OUR boat and nothing was too simple or too complex. Danjiels effort especially in bringing some of the aquatic life up close shouldnt go without mentioning! A great captain from and with a great boat family and a competent crew of simply nice people , To steal a marketing phrase or two, do yourself a faour and just do it, sail the Kraljica Jelena, i would again. Australian contingent September 2018
- Stephen, 24/09/2018 22:13, Travelled with Friend/s
We were on the Cristal, a brand new boat with wonderful facilities and friendly staff. The swim stops, overnight docking were in fantastic locations, with sufficient recommendations from the tour manager, Boris.
- Frederick, 03/09/2018 10:28, Travelled with Friend/s
people you meet stops you go to meals on the boat boat itself
- Anonymous, 07/08/2018 09:27, Travelled with Friend/s
A group of 8 individuals travelling together always presents it own set of difficulties, the options on entertainment on the various islands as explained by the representative allowed all to be entertained in their own way. Arrangements made for restaurants, bookings and recommendations of local entertainment and sights was outstanding. The crew entertained and was part of a unique travel experience that ensured lasting and fond memories. The food prepared by Tony, the chef, was above expectation. I can highly recommend the the cruise to any future travellers, beautiful people, scenery and the country as a whole will ensure a travel experience not soon to be forgotten
- Anonymous, 16/07/2018 08:47, Travelled with Friend/s
The scenery, swim stops, towns, activities, food!
- Sally, 14/07/2018 14:54, Travelled with Friend/s
Relaxing,great food,lovely crew. Beautiful towns and lots of time to explore. Also great to have Wi-Fi on board.
- Willemien , 11/06/2018 08:13, Travelled with Friend/s
Fabulous way to enjoy the magnificent coastline and explore the beautiful islands. The activities were varied and great fun. Highly recommend!
- Anonymous, 11/06/2018 03:05, Travelled with Friend/s
Our host Ivan was great and the entire crew! Fun swim stops and excellent food!
- Cindy, 09/10/2017 10:00, Travelled with Friend/s
We really enjoyed our cruise. A truly great way to see and appreciate the beauty of the Croatian islands. Crew an fellow passengers were great fun. Our boat had good sized cabins and the food was good. Split and Dubrovnik were very busy with tourists and difficult for us to really appreciate what those places had to offer as result, However the cruise itself and the islands we visited were beautiful and we really enjoyed the experience. Would do it again in a heartbeat!
- John , 13/09/2017 21:09, Travelled with Friend/s
The other cruisers, the staff, the magic of the Croatian islands and the standard of accommodation made the cruise great. We had a mixed group age wise, which made the cruise more interesting and fun for me. The Dalmatian coast is delightful. Water as blue and clear as I have ever seen. Each place visited was different and special in it's own way. I was so relaxed I didn't know what day it was half of the time. My only suggestion for improvement would be to try for swim stops in calmer waters as sometimes the currents were very strong.
- Liz, 01/09/2017 07:45, Travelled with Friend/s