Have you ever thought about booking a cruise to Croatia or visiting Croatia's North Adriatic? Did you believe that cruises in Croatia usually go along the southern part of the Croatian coast?
Since I took my first cruise to Croatia in 1987, I have decided to design a cruise in the Northern Adriatic again. But this time I want to do one, just for friends and acquaintances.
I'm sure you wonder why you are cruising Croatia in 2023 and not this year? The answer is simple. For this year, there are no dates or free ships for August.
Beyond this factor, you will see that this cruise offers a reasonable price and a more convenient payment method if you have the patience to read the entire page.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about cruises in the North Adriatic of Croatia. One of the best ways to travel to Croatia will undoubtedly prompt you to hit the “book now button.” Read this article if you want to know everything about cruises in Croatia! Have a look at this cruising in the Italian language!
North Adriatic cruise with MS Swallow
Before describing your cruise ship (MS SWALLOW), your floating luxury hotel, let's see the 8 days / 7 nights Northern Adriatic cruise itinerary. We leave from Split, and after 8 days, we will return to Split. All cruises always depart from Saturday to Saturday.
The round trip cruise from Split itinerary gives you enough time to experience the history or embark on your explorations of the medieval cities located on the islands of the northern Adriatic and those on the mainland. And don't worry – you'll have enough time to relax and swim.
North Adriatic cruise day by day itineray
Day 1 - Saturday: Split
Most cruises in Croatia depart from Split harbor. You can find your MS SWALLOW ship in the port of Split, where you can embark for the whole day.
A welcome meeting will begin at 7 pm, where the cruise director will introduce you to the Captain, our crew, and your future travel companions with whom you will spend a week onboard. The welcome dinner will be served at 19:30. If I accomplish this cruising in 2023, I will be your cruising manager.
Boarding will be possible throughout the day; passengers arriving in the morning cannot enter their cabins before 13:00 but can leave their luggage on board.
Day 2 - SUNDAY: SPLIT - SKRADIN - ŠIBENIK
Your North Adriatic cruising will start on Sunday morning. We will set sail for Skradin with a stop for swimming along the way. Skradin is a romantic Mediterranean town of intertwined streets, arches, and stairways, located at the entrance to the Krka National Park.
We will arrive at the National Park by wooden boat directly to Skradinski Buk (famous waterfall). Upon arrival, head to the last set of waterfalls before the river meets the sea, where the Skradinski Buk Falls form a spectacular tiered waterfall on travertine cliffs.
After exploring NP Krka, we will cruise to Sibenik, where we will do the Sibenik city tour. Sibenik is the oldest city on the Adriatic coast and is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval cities.
You can admire the city's treasures by strolling through the ancient streets, museums, and churches that hide surprises and precious spiritual experiences. Do not miss the most famous Saint Jacobs Cathedral, a cultural and historical pearl under the protection of UNESCO.
As only two ships can enter the Sibenik harbor, overnight stay will be in Skradin or Sibenik.
Day 3 - MONDAY: SKRADIN OR ŠIBENIK - ZADAR
Our North Adriatic cruise will continue to Zadar with a stop for swimming near the island of Galešnjak, located in the Pasman channel of the Adriatic. The island attracted the attention of the national and world public in 2008 when Google Earth declared it one of the few natural phenomena in the shape of a heart.
For this reason, Galešnjak is also called the “Island of Love.” Lunch on board and continuation to Zadar. In the afternoon, arriving in Zadar, we shall have a city tour.
The historic center of Zadar is a compact pedestrian zone, perfect for exploring on foot and admiring the defensive walls built in the 16th century by the Venetians as a defense from the Turks. Overnight in Zadar.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY: ZADAR - RAB
After breakfast, we will start our cruise to Rab island. On the way, we shall stop swimming in the isle of Maun, in the famous bay of Sipa. Lunch will be served on board. Upon arrival, we will take a tour of the city of Rab.
The city of Rab stands on a narrow strip of land protruding towards the mainland, bordered by ancient city walls and recognizable by four bell towers that form its familiar silhouette, depicting Rab as a four-masted ship.
After dinner on your own in one of the local restaurants of your choice, return to the ship where we will have an exciting presentation and tasting of the “Rab cake.”
You will have a unique opportunity to try and learn how to prepare the famous “Rab cake” and not only the cake, but also “muštaćon, baškotin, smokvenjak” (maybe the names sound strange to you, but they are all delicacies of this island). It's my favorite island on North Adriatic cruising.
DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY: RAB - MALI LOŠINJ
On the fifth day of North Adriatic cruising, in the morning departure for Mali Losinj, we are passing through the islands of Ilovik, Silba, and Olib, with lunch on board. Upon arrival, our Italian-speaking guide will accompany us through Mali Losinj, the largest city on the island of Losinj.
Situated at the top of a long natural harbor and surrounded by pretty Mediterranean terraced houses and rolling green hills, the town straddles both coasts in the narrowest part of the island. After the city tour, we will visit the Apoxyomenos Museum.
The Museum is a unique archaeological and architectural cultural institution in the region and is entirely dedicated to a single exhibition: the bronze statue of a young athlete, the Apoxyomenos. The statue was discovered in 1997 by a Belgian tourist at sea depths of 45 m.
DAY 6 - THURSDAY: MALI LOŠINJ - TELAŠICA NATURAL PARK
Our journey will continue towards Telašćica Natural Park with lunch onboard and a stop for swimming along the way. The Telašćica Nature Park area highly contrasts with quiet and peaceful beaches and a stretched coastline on one side.
Due to its extreme beauty, richness, and importance, this bay is surrounded by 13 islands and islets, and six islets within the bay itself have proclaimed a Natural Park in 1988.
In the evening, in the heart of the Natural Park and in the silence of a beautiful cove, we will have the Captain's gala dinner on board. Overnight in Telašćica.
DAY 7 - FRIDAY: TELAŠĆICA - KORNATI NATIONAL PARK - PRIMOŠTEN
Today is the day to enjoy this North Adriatic cruising. After breakfast, we leave for a pleasant cruise passing through the center of the Kornati archipelago, a stone labyrinth with eighty-nine islands, islets, and rocks in the sea. It is the most indented group of islands in the northern Adriatic.
Whether you look at the Kornati Islands from the air, the sea, or the island's vantage points, the view is equally impressive yet different to the eye every time. The landscapes are perhaps most evocative in the archipelago part overlooking the open sea, where the cliffs rise above the sea surface.
With lunch onboard and a swim stop along the way, we will sail to Primosten. Primosten is a small town located between Sibenik and Split.
The historical center lies on an islet connected to the mainland. Primošten attracts tourists with its fascinating architecture, beautiful beaches, and crystal clear waters.Besides the cultivation of vines, olives, and fishing, today, the main occupation of the locals is tourism.
DAY 8 - SATURDAY: PRIMOŠTEN - SPLIT
After the morning cruise to Split, where we should arrive at 10:00 a.m, the last day of North Adriatic cruising has ended. It is time to say goodbye to your new friends, the ship captain, and the crew.
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