Top Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters: Reviews Of Croatia Yachting

4 Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters — Expert Reviews

By John Roberts & Heidi Sarna

If you haven’t been to Croatia, you don’t know what you’re missing. Yacht cruises along the Dalmatian coast of Croatia are one of our favorite small-ship cruise experiences, and for good reason.

Croatia’s rocky coastline stretches for more than 1,000 miles along the eastern edges of the Adriatic Sea, from just south of Italy’s Trieste to Montenegro. Countless craggy limestone islands are scattered along the jagged coast, creating one of world’s most scenic places to cruise — right up there with Norway’s fjords, Alaska’s glaciers, and the Greek Isles.

Speaking of Greece, small-ship sailing among its gorgeous isles, coasts and harbors has long been coveted.

That said, the difference between yachting around the Greek Isles vs Croatia is that Croatia offers an experience that features all the beauty and even better affordability — with generally calmer seas.

The island groups dotting the pleasant waters of the Adriatic Sea along the Dalmatian Coast are clustered relatively close together so that you can easily visit numerous ports during one voyage — with each spot offering distinct charms and history.

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Cocktails atop the ramparts around historic Korcula. * Photo: Sail Croatia

Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters

In the COVID-19 era (and post COVID era), private Croatia yacht cruise charters along the coast and among the islands of Croatia are small-ship cruise experiences that make sense.

The intimate sailings offer a more controlled and thus relatively safe environment as you spend your days among a small group of friends or family enjoying days filled with sunshine, swimming and exploring ports, many quite remote. Among the various visitors to Croatia, many come from North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

With breathtaking views from your yacht’s top deck, a voyage along the Dalmatian Coast is a fantastic way to soak up the natural beauty and rich history of the country.

Croatia’s Deep History

The Romans established the province of Dalmatia, the precursor to Croatia, along the Adriatic Sea more than 2,000 years ago. Dalmatia thrived from about 11 BC to the fifth century AD.

Over the centuries, powerful empires, from the Greeks to the Romans, Slavs, Venetians, Ottomans, and Austro-Hungarians, would leave their mark on what would become the Croatia we see today.

A medieval church bell tower in Rab, Croatia. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

We’re lucky that many spectacular and well-preserved relics remain, from fourth-century palaces to medieval fortresses, cathedrals and classic turreted city walls. The most spectacular — Dubrovnik’s City Walls, Diocletian’s Palace in Split and Hvar’s Old Town — are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

View of historic Dubrovnik. * Photo: Sail Croatia

You’ll also find memorials and dedications to the Croatian War of Independence from 1991 to 1995, during which the country was entrenched in a civil war with Serbian forces while striving to secede from the former Yugoslavia. When you visit the gorgeous towns and villages along the coast today, it’s mind-boggling to consider that not too long ago this was a war-torn region.

Activities in Croatia

Daily excursions include swimming and watersports right off the side of your yacht. And on shore, you can stroll, hike, kayak and bicycle. Eating counts as pastime too.

For the history buffs among us, there are no shortage of ancient sites to visit. Explore on your own, or sign up for a guided excursion; depending on your package, guided excursions may or may not be included in the fares.

Cycle around the picturesque Konvale Valley near Dubrovnik. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Kayaking to scenic Korcula Island in Croatia on a private charter

Kayaking to scenic Korcula Island. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Croatia Cuisine

All along the Dalmatian coast are regions known for wine and olive oil. Seafood is also especially good here, too, from oysters to squid, octopus, mussels and fish, the later served grilled or in a traditional stew.

Croatian cuisine is based on heritage rooted in Central Europe, Italy and Turkey. These influences meld to give you Croatian favorites like cabbage leaves filled with minced meat, cevapcici rolls and dumplings.

Beaches in Croatia

Croatia boasts crystal-clear waters along its coast. Beaches are popular spots for tourists and residents, alike, although the country’s beaches are rocky and not the silky sands you associate with the Caribbean or South of France. They’re excellent places for people watching.

A typical rocky beach, this one in Hvar. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Still, Croatia’s beach regions offer the chance to play in the water, explore adjacent caves, paddle in idyllic coves or converge at nighttime for boisterous summer parties and festivals in places like Pag, Hvar and Split.

Anchoring in a secluded spot. * Photo: Goolets

The Croatia Yacht Cruises Vibe

Life is lived up on deck and outside in the fresh air and sea. You’ll barely need to pack more more than your bathing suit!

Standard yachting voyages use small ships with modest accommodations that carry between six and 40 people on itineraries between the larger cities of Dubrovnik and Split or Hvar.

Cruising between Split & Dubrovnik is a popular route. * Photo: Katarina Line

Trips typically last from two days to a week. You can find countless yachting outfits in Croatia that offer the tiny ships that dart around the islands and coastal ports to provide an intimate experience, including the four we feature in this article — Goolets, Sail Croatia, Katarina Line and Kompas Cruises.

Many of the yachts used are “gulets,” a Turkish term derived from the French word “goélette” and the Italian “goletta.”

These traditional-style 2- and 3-masted yachts are based on vessels that were once used as trading and fishing boats. Much like the “canal barge” cruises of France, the “gulet” yachts of Croatia, Greece and Turkey have been transformed into luxury conveyances for holidays, though their size and level of luxury varies as do their fares. Some quite posh, others very humble.

Gulets are 2- or 3-masted traditional-style ships. * Photo: Goolets

Private Croatia yacht cruise charters are highly curated, with the captain and crew able to design a flexible itinerary based on what you and your group would like to experience. Fill your days with hiking, biking, swimming in pristine bays, exploring historic sites or just relaxing over beers and regional cuisine at charming seaside towns or marinas.

You’re probably after a nice mix of all of these, huh?

While you can find plenty of high-end luxury yacht cruises in Croatia, as well as a number of departures available on larger vessels from Star Clippers and Ponant (other small-ship lines we cover on QuirkyCruise.com) that carry 170 to 184 passengers, this Croatia yacht cruise charters roundup will show you four awesome options for a fantastic voyage that won’t break the bank.

The coast of Croatia from the decks of Ponant’s L’Austral. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

The following 4 Croatia yacht cruise companies are ideal for private charters for friend and family groups:

Katarina Line

This family-owned line has operating for some 30 years offers a broad range of cruising styles and lengths on more than 60 small ships that are chartered from Croatian captains who provide a special personal touch to your yachting experience. They can also help with hotel bookings and other tourist services for a stay in Croatia.

Katarina Line offers Deluxe, Premium or Standard cruises roundtrip or one way traveling among the ports of Split, Dubrovnik and Opatija, as well as special Active cruises and Land and Cruise combos.

Ships sail for about four hours each day, overnighting in ports and sailing just after breakfast each day.

The scenic sailing takes you to intimate bays and swimming areas, where you anchor for a bit of swim time and water sports before lunch onboard. Then, you continue on to the next port stop for your exploration ashore, dinner on your own with your fellow travelers and an overnight on the ship.

The schedule is fairly flexible, but this represents the basic outline that can be adjusted based on weather conditions and desires of the group — maybe you want more time swimming or seek to get to the port earlier to try an organized tour that explores popular points of interest.

Katarina Line offers a range of excursions that are added on for a fee. You can tour Plitvice Lakes or go sea kayaking around Dubrovnik, for example.

Most of the sailing options fall under the Deluxe and Premium cruise category, and almost all of these ships offer accommodations with private bathrooms and air conditioning.

The open decks of the Katarina, a Deluxe-class ship. * Photo: Katarina Line

A cabin aboard the Katarina, a Deluxe-class ship. * Photo: Katarina Line

The Standard cruise category attracts budget travelers, often younger folks and backpackers, generally, ages 18 to 35.

Katarina Line’s newer Deluxe and Premium ships see passengers typically in the 40 to 60-ish age range. Travelers represent a fairly international mix, though with mostly English-speaking couples from the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia.

All of the cruises include breakfast and lunch in your cruise fare.

The Ships of the Katarina Fleet

Katarina Line operates a fleet of more than 60 vessels — a combination of deluxe and standard yachts and small gulets — that carry from five to 38 passengers. Fares are partially inclusive, with some meals, one bottle of water per day and one drink with lunch onboard, some transfers to and from the airport or your hotel, plus tastings and guided tours (as indicated in your itinerary).

An English-speaking tour guide sails along to manage the schedule. The ships offer free WiFi.

The Deluxe or Premium ships might have hot tubs and loungers on the sun deck.

Katarina Itineraries

Cruises range from two to seven days in length and visit destinations such as Korcula, Metkovic, Sibenik, Zadar, Rab, Vis and Hvar, departing from the main embarkation ports of Dubrovnik, Split and Opatija.

Views of the lovely Croatia coast. * Photo: Katarina Line

Katarina Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters

The line’s smaller vessels make great full-boat charters for friend and family groups; Katarina estimates about 10% of their business is full charters.

Why Choose Katarina Line

This is a well-established line in business for some 30 years with a great reputation that offers budget-friendly voyages.

Katarina Line’s weeklong cruises start can be booked for as low as $500.

Hanging out on deck. * Photo: Katarina Line

Goolets

This company focuses on full-ship charters of its more than 70 luxury gulets — traditional small two- or three-masted wooden boats for friends and family groups. Custom itineraries are created for each charter.

Goolets’ charters are luxury small ship experiences with typically eight to 12 passengers on a sailing paying at least $1,200 USD per person for a week of cruising along the Adriatic Coast.

Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters gulet deck

The open decks of a gulet in Croatia. * Photo: Goolets

Most passengers hail from English-speaking countries, including the USA, UK, South Africa, Australia, Israel, and also European countries from Germany to France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Belgium, as well as Mexico and Chile.

The company prides itself on offering full service and support, guiding customers on choosing the appropriate ship, itinerary, tours, menu and transfers to and from the vessels.

A personal assistant is assigned to each sailing to help create the type of cruise desired. For active cruisers, Goolets offers snorkeling, scuba, rafting and hiking.

They can also help design gourmet-style holidays that emphasize culinary tours and wine tasting, or cruises focused on history and cultural tours.

When it comes to food preferences, the galley and bar will stock your requests to accommodate allergies and favorite meals and drinks.

Atmospheric dining, that’s for sure. * Photo: Goolets

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included and feature fresh, local cuisine.

A typical day includes morning and afternoon sailing sessions with stops at secluded bays, where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling.

Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters watersports

Watersports off of an anchored gulet in Croatia. * Photo: Goolets

Ships in the Goolets Fleet

Goolets has more than 70 ships in Croatia of various sizes and styles that carry from five to 38 passengers, with most in the eight to 12 passenger range.

Each ship will have slightly different amenities and options because they are all independently owned and uniquely beautiful traditional sailing vessels.

The smaller ones typically are more austere ships with compact cabins and tiny en suite bathroom facilities.

All the ships will generally have sun loungers, some WiFi access and extras like snorkel equipment and jet skis and water skis.

A twin cabin on the 38-passenger Yolo. * Photo: Goolets

Goolets Itineraries

Customized by the chartering groups, Goolets’ most popular voyages sail roundtrip route from Split or cruise between Split and Dubrovnik.

The line can stop at dozens of destinations. The most popular routes include Mljet, Korcula, Lopud, Peljesac, Krka Waterfalls, Kornati, Primosten and Zadar.

Goolets Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters

The line only offers private charters, that’s what they specialize in. They don’t operate shared charters or cabin charters.

Why Choose Goolets

This line is ideal for designing a luxury small-ship cruise experience from top to bottom according to your own specifications for group or family travel.

You can fully customize your journey, as these are private charters for your group.

Kompas Cruises

The line offers packages on three ships including a range of seven-night cruises along Croatia’s coast, embarking in Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar or Porec. These Kompas voyages are priced from around $2,000 USD per person for cabins with private facilities.

There are sailings on two new ships with private balconies — Premier and My Wish, the best in the fleet. Kompas rates their third ship, Prestige, as a 3-star yacht compared to the 4-star Premier and My Wish.

Cruises include departure airport transfers, daily breakfasts and lunches, welcome reception, Captain’s dinner with local entertainment, and one or two dinners at a restaurant in port or on board (based on the cruise program). Coffee, tea, bottled water, and WiFi are also included in the fares.

A professional, English-speaking cruise manager is always on board.

Kompas Ships

The line operates three ships carrying a maximum of 38 passengers. They include Sun Decks with loungers, a restaurant and lounge.

Cabins feature air conditioning, private bathroom, toiletries, hair dryers, satellite TV, bathrobes and slippers.

Supreme Ships:

Two best in the Kompas fleet, Premier and My Wish were built in 2020. Cabins on all Upper/Main decks have private balconies. Lower deck cabins have a porthole under the sea line.

The 38-passenger Premier. * Photo: Kompas Cruises

A twin cabin on the 38-pax Premier. * Photo: Kompas Cruises

The sunbathing deck of the 38-pax Premier. * Photo: Kompas Cruises

The dining area of the 38-pax Premier. * Photo: Kompas Cruises

Superior Ship:

The 38-passenger Prestige was renovated in 2018.

The 38-pax Prestige was renovated in 2018. * Photo: Kompas Cruise

Prestige cabin. * Photo: Kompas Cruises

Kompas Itineraries

The line features itineraries along the coast and islands of Croatia, visiting ports such as Primosten, Pula, Sibenik, Korcula, Hvar, Mjlet, Trogir, Vis and many more.

Kompas Croatia Yacht Cruise Charters

Some 35% of Kompas’ bookings are for private full-boat charters.

Kompas’ COVID-19 travel policies HERE.

Why Choose Kompas Cruises

Cruise fares include a wide range of sightseeing tours in destinations like Hvar, Split, Korcula and Mljet National Park and Kornati National Park.

You also can extend your stay in Croatia and the surrounding region. Kompas offers add-on packages that give you time in Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Split, as well as land tours and accommodations in top destinations like Venice, Budapest, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Budapest and Vienna.

Sail Croatia

The line offers different options, from budget cruises (starting around $500 per person per week) to party cruises, cruises for active travelers and fully curated private yacht charters.

Sail Croatia features a fleet of family owned and operated ships, so you will sail with local captains and crew who have intimate knowledge of the islands and ports that you visit.

A swim stop on a Sail Croatia cruise. * Photo: Sail Croatia

The line offers four main types of cruises:

Navigator cruises are the budget options and marketed as party cruise perfect for those younger than 35. Explorer cruises are good for couples and offer a mix of relaxing and sightseeing.
Active cruises let you indulge in more physical pursuits widely available on the beautiful terrain and features of the region, as cruisers find adventure with hiking, biking and watersports.

The swimming platform at the stern. * Photo: Sail Croatia

Elegance cruises are ideal for couples and more mature travelers who want a bit of luxury on their coastal jaunts, which feature the highest level of comfort and inclusions aboard the line’s newest ships (with in-room bathroom and air conditioning). These voyages are the priciest (around $1,150 for a weeklong sailing) and feature exclusive excursions like traditional village dinners and historic walking tours.
Explorer itineraries are good for couples in the 30- to 60ish-age range, mostly from the U.S., U.K. and Australia, who desire a mix of relaxing and sightseeing.

A group aboard the Esperanza. * Photo: Sail Croatia

All cruise fares include buffet breakfast, three-course lunches featuring Croatian dishes (with a meat- or fish-based main course prepared fresh by the onboard chef), a captain’s dinner event, tour guide and WiFi.

You can also choose to add on optional excursions. Drinks are extra, and dinners are on your own as you overnight in the ports.

On Elegance cruises, airport transfers are also included as well as a captains’ dinner and a local village dinner.

Dinner in port in Stari Grad, the “old town” of Hvar. * Photo: Sail Croatia

Sail Croatia Ships

Sail Croatia offers Standard category ships for Navigator cruises. These vessels carry about 30 passengers, and the cabins feature bunk beds. Bathroom facilities are shared, with about five or six passengers per bathroom.
The line’s Ensuite category ships for Navigator and Active cruises also have bunk beds and carry up to 30 passengers on average. These rooms have their own bathrooms.
Premier category ships are used for certain Active and Navigator sailings. These vessels carry up to 36 passengers who enjoy more space and comfort, with private bathrooms with showers and air conditioning.
Sail Croatia’s Premier Plus category ships are used for the Elegance and Explorer cruises. These yachts comprise the line’s newest and offer the best in comfort and luxury. These are the largest cabins in the fleet at around 130 square feet. The ships carry 38 passengers on average.

All ships feature a dining area, bar and sun deck.

The sundeck of a Sail Croatia yacht. * Photo: Sail Croatia

Itineraries from Sail Croatia

Sail Croatia runs three-, five- and seven-day Navigator cruises, as well as weeklong Explorer, Elegance and Active voyages that sail between Dubrovnik and Split.

Itineraries visit destinations such as Makarska, Hvar, Stari Grad, Vis, Korcula and Mljet.