While we have plenty of time until our cruise I wanted to share some information about the cruise you just booked. Over the next several months you will be receiving emails and updates about our Croatia trip. Below you will find valuable information on accommodations, airlines, tours, and trip preparation.
Passport Info
Guests traveling to Croatia need a valid passport with at least 3 months of validity. US citizens do not need visa for stays less then 90 days. Visitors to Croatia must register at a local police station within three days of arrival in country. If you are staying at a hotel, hostel, or vacation rental, this process is generally done on your behalf by the property owner. The hotel or inn may take your passport and make copies so don’t be alarmed.
Getting to Croatia
Here is a list of airlines that fly into Dubrovnik and Split
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubrovnik_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_Airport
Every major European city offers direct flights into Croatia. United and Delta also offer seasonal nonstop flights out of JFK and Newark.
Taxi from Airport to City Center
The taxi fare from the airport to the city center is about 300-350 kn (40 -45 euros). Make sure you agree on the fare before the start of the ride. The ride is between 25-30 minutes
You can also take an Uber, which will cost you around 300 kn depending on the demand that day.
Currency
The main currency in Croatia is the KUNA. In 2023 Croatia will adapt the Euro as its official currency. There are many ATM’s available in all the ports we visit. Try downloading a currency app like XE Currency. Please beware of this common scam where the machine tries to trick you into paying higher conversion rates. Bottom line is never select the Accept conversion rate option. Always select the Reject Conversion option. Please watch this video to see how they try to trick you. The video below uses Euros, but you will see this same scam in Croatia using Kunas. Please watch this short video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cee3q3y6iz4
Accommodations
A list of suggested accommodations can be found below. It’s very important to book ahead because accommodations become scarce in the busy summer time.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings Such as baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants. Be inspired by a walk along the ancient city walls that protected a civilized, sophisticated republic for centuries. And take the cable car up to Mt Srđ! Tons of rooftop restaurants!
Suggested Accommodations in Dubrovnik.
You will always get more bang for your buck staying at Airbnb’s in Dubrovnik. Look for properties within the old city wall.
A favorite location of mine are properties in Lapad, Croatia. Lapad is only a 15 minute Uber ride to the city center. It has a fabulous beach and lots of cute restaurants. It’s away from the craziness of the old city walls too!
These are some of my favorites!
https://www.hotel-adria-dubrovnik.com (near Gruz Port perched on top of a hill)
https://www.hotel-lapad.hr (located in the heart of lapad)
https://www.arthoteldubrovnik.com (The Art Hotel is one of my favorites if you are looking for a little luxury without breaking the budget.
https://www.hotel-more.hr/en/ ( Cool location and an awesome cave bar)
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dbvhihi-hilton-imperial-dubrovnik/?SEO_id=GMB-EMEA-HI-DBVHIHI (If money is no option or your trying to get out of the dog house stay here!)
https://www.hotelporto.hr/homepage (Brand new hotel opened in 2021)
http://www.grandhotel-park.hr (Nice pool and spa)
Favorite Restaurants In Dubrovnik.
Azur : (This is my personal favorite restaurant! You must try the chicken/chorizo tacos!! Also, Crunchy Amaranth Balls in Curry Coconut Sauce! Their cocktails are great too!
Lady Pipi : (I always have to is it this restaurant when I am in Dubrovnik! Excellent location and BBQ. They don’t accept reservations and if you are not there at 5pm you will wait 2 hours to get in) https://restaurantguru.com/LADY-PI-PI-Dubrovnik
Nautica : (5 star food and location and you will pay for it. Expensive but you only live once so if you want to impress someone dine here) https://www.nautikarestaurants.com/restaurant-nautika/
Konoba Dubrovnik : (15 minutes ride from Dubrovnik. This a a family owned restaurant and specializes in local Croatian food. Excellent veal, steak, potatoes)
Vis Restaurants
Fort George(Incredible place to watch the sunset and drinks. Dinner is great too! You need reservations for dinner and the taxi ride is 10 minutes up)
https://www.fortgeorgecroatia.com
Restoran Pojoda
Excellent seafood(must call for reservations)
+385 21 711 575
Konoba Kantun
(My personal favorite)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kantun/500424033795150/
HVAR Restaurants
Konoba Bunar
https://www.facebook.com/bunar.hr/?ref=py_c
Smokvina
(Excellent pasta and pizza)
https://smokvina.hr/bookyour/b/bonaca
Fig
(Small menu but super tasty delights)
http://figrestaurants.com/hvar
Vintage Hvar
(Excellent wines and atmosphere )
https://www.facebook.com/Vintage-Hvar-1563660543903014/
Split
In 1979, the historic center of Split was included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Split is said to be one of the centres of Croatian culture. Split has been under Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French, Italian and Yugoslav control. There is an abundance of restaurants and wine cellars. Sites such as Diocletian’s Palace and Mausoleum, the Grgur Ninski Statue and the Cathedral and Bell Tower of St. Domnius justify its position as a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. The city’s coves offer several lovely beaches. Relaxed and informal, Split residents are less interested in high culture than they are in sports and the outdoors. The local football team, HNK Hajduk Split, inspires almost fanatical devotion throughout Dalmatia. There are plenty of bicycles for rent to pedal around the city.
Suggested Accommodations in Split.
I recommend staying two nights after our trip in the beautiful city of Split.
https://www.sleepsplit.com/ (Great location and close to Old Town)
https://villasplitluxury.com/ (Great value and excellent location)
http://hotelcorner.eu This is a 3/4 star property and it is about a 10 minute walk to the city center.
https://piazza-heritagehotel.com/ (In the heart of the action)
You should arrange for a trip to the beautiful waterfalls of Krka which is about an hour drive from Split. http://www.np-krka.hr/en/.
If you would like to schedule a winery visit or Market tour, cooking class and wine tasting:
http://www.putalj.com/
http://vinabedalov.com/en/
Our Boat
M/S Summer is a brand-new cruise ship, simply perfect for your family cruise in Croatia.
LUXURY AND SAFETY
Constructed in 2019, M/S SUMMER complies with the newest European cruise ships standards. A part of our growing and versatile fleet of small cruise ships, M/S SUMMER is also available for charter hire. This luxury yacht is made to satisfy refined cruise expectations. The ship’s amenities include state-of-the-art navigation and safety system, fully equipped comfortable air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, sun deck, elegance rooftop Jacuzzi, swimming platform and much else.
SMALL AND POWERFUL: JUST LIKE A PRIVATE YACHT
Our small cruise ships are well-built and nimble, small and powerful. They will take you where the bigger vessels cannot go, navigating through the narrow waterways into the very hearts of bustling Mediterranean cities, anchoring in hidden Adriatic bays, docking in a small Dalmatian islands’ port. Forget the time-wasting disembarkation. With M/S SUMMER the beauties and treasures of Croatian coast and islands are at your hand’s reach, just as if you were cruising aboard your own private yacht!
TOTALLY CROATIAN
We are very proud of the fact that all of our small cruise ships are designed and constructed in Croatia. Moreover, they are family-run. Their all-Croatian crews and captains descend from the generations of seafarers. These are people who know and love the sea and will do their very best to accommodate your wishes and make your Croatian holiday most enjoyable and unforgettable.
Please click on this link for all the photos and boat details
Wi-Fi on boat.
There is Wi-Fi onboard the boat so you can send pics to friends, and talk about how You Can’t Steal My Happy Trips are the best ever!
Electricity
You will need to bring a converter if you want to charge your iPhones and computers. In Croatia the power sockets are of type C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Croatia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. There is a hairdryer in each room so leave yours at home. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/croatia/electricity
How to dress
We expect the weather to average in the 80’s with lows in the mid 60’s. You are not required to dress up for our captains dinner so if you decide to bring a suit or tie I will make you walk the plank. Do bring T-shirts, collared/button down shirts, shorts, jeans, comfortable walking shoes, flip flops, sun dresses, bathing suits. I would bring a long sleeve shirt and a very light sweater just in case the weather decides to turn. I would also make sure you bring a small back pack so you can pack things like cameras, water and phones. Water temperatures range from 68 in June to 77 in August.
Drinking Water in Croatia
Drinking tap water in Croatia is safe. Beers in Croatia are superb! Beer goes by the name of pivo in Croatia. Try Ozujsko, Tuborg or Karlovako. There is a 5-gallon water bottle in front of the dining lounge to refill your water daily.
Tipping
Tipping in Croatia is acceptable. The standard rate is 10% at restaurants. We will also be passing an envelope onboard the ship for the boat staff. We recommend $20 per guest per day for the crew. Tipping is how most of these crew members make their money so if you feel someone went above and beyond them a little extra. We suggest you plan on a 100 Euro tip total for each passenger so if there are two of you in a cabin you will leave 200 Euro in the envelope.
Travel Insurance
While the healthcare in Croatia is considered good, I highly recommend my happy guests consider travel insurance. Of course, no one wants to think about things that could go wrong when we travel. You can play it safe by purchasing travel insurance that will go a long way toward protecting you if something should happen. My experience has taught me to expect the unexpected. Check with your credit card companies to see if they offer trip insurance . Be aware that your credit card company’s coverage may not be comprehensive. I personally use Travelex and you may obtain a free quote by clicking here. https://www.travelexinsurance.com/index.aspx?location=43-0656&go=bp I would also check with your US based health care provider before you leave to see what coverage they offer in Croatia. Most of them have a network of hospitals that will accept coverage.
Videos to watch
10 amazing places to visit in Croatia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTLD9t5lSTQ
Travel Advice for Croatia
Dubrovnik
Korcula
Hvar
Split