I had a wonderful time. The cruise was amazing...beautiful food, friendly staff and excellent hike guidance by Marte and Andro. I can't say enough to thank everyone for looking after me so well.
- Sue Ashmore, 27/10/2024 07:58, Travelled Solo
I booked the Hiking Split Return South route for my 50th birthday and it exceeded all of my expectations. My husband and I were on the Columbo and our guides Mate and Karla were awesome. They were knowledgeable and fun and you could tell that they were passionate about Croatia and hiking. The food was great, the swim stops were fun and I haven't laughed that much on a trip ever. We had a great group of like minded people from around the world who made every day fun. From the captain to the crew and especially our guides Mate and Karla, we all felt very well taken care of onboard and off. I would highly recommend Sail Croatia and will definitely book another trip with them in the future. Lindsie & Curtis (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
- Lindsie, 10/10/2024 17:10, Travelled in a Couple
The Sail Croatia hike week gave us exactly what we were hoping for and more. A week sailing between beautiful islands (on Columbo), interesting hikes each day, like-minded people on the trip (some of which will become life-long friends), good food and local tips for each island, regular swim stops and a whole lot of fun and laughter. Our tour guides Mate and Karla provided expert guidance, fun and constant enthusiasm. Their passion for their country was truly infectious. We have fallen in love with Croatia. Thank you, Jill and Rich (UK)
- Jill, 09/10/2024 20:29, Travelled in a Couple
The tour guide Karla and hike guide Mate were really amazing. We feel so lucky to have had them with us.. Really knowledgeable and friendly people who helped bring a group of strangers together to be friends by the end of the week. Thanks too to Bruno and the captain and crew on Columbo for taking such good care of us. The hikes were beautiful. Sometimes they were challenging but not so difficult that we were not able to enjoy the scenery and get to know each other on the way. Our favourite hike was in Makarska, where the views were stunning. Our weather was mixed with some unexpected heavy rain at times but the itinerary was adapted well to suit sailing conditions. The boat was full of like-minded travellers from all over the world and we had a really fun-filled week with the best people.
- Anonymous, 08/10/2024 08:33, Travelled in a Couple
Mate & Karla created an atmosphere that was joyous, fascinating, physically challenging (what we'd hoped for), historically relevant, whilst oozing their love of their gorgeous homeland, nature, fun facts, & always with a smile & belly laughs! They were the reason 30 people came together as strangers & left wanting (& hoping) to stay in touch with them all!! Very organised, very safe, & inspirational. The crew were also a huge part of making this trip as perfect as it was as well. Thank you to all who played a part. We sure love Mate & Karla!!
- Ellen, 07/10/2024 16:57, Travelled in a Couple
This cruise/hike was the most amazing trip!!! Our guides- Mate and Karla made it even better as they planned our daily hikes, kept in contact with us, shared their local knowledge, protected us, and had fun with us!!! They were perfect and we couldn’t have asked for anything or anyone more! Bruno worked hard to keep us hydrated and fed and the sailors, cooks, and Captain of Colombo ship were perfect. The itinerary was so fun! Everyone on the ship bonded and loved the experience!!! We were all sad to say goodbye! Thank you!!!
- Linda, 07/10/2024 16:39, Travelled in a Couple
The trip was amazing from the fantastic crew, to great food and meeting a lovely group of like minded people., Anita the sail Cristian rep was fabulous with a wealth of knowledge on each area and always updated us on what was available at port stops by what’s app. Mika our hiking rep was competent with great knowledge of the terrain and our safety was paramount to her. Her daily updates were very informative. Her passion for the environment and her country was impressive.. I loved the daily sea swim stops . The hikes were challenging at times for me but with Mila and Anita encouragement I completed all of them. I would highly recommend this holiday.
- Liz, 05/10/2024 16:02, Travelled in a Couple
travelling solo for the first time was daunting to me, however from start to finish sailing on the Emanuel with the skilled and friendly skipper, the chef, who treated us with delicious meals, to Ivan and the other hands on board this experience got better and better. Tour guides Mila and Anita were passionate about their beautiful home country of Croatia and their enthusiasm for our day to day activities made this the perfect trip to include daily Hikes, swims in stunning locations, local knowledge and ensured everyone on board this lovely, comfortable ship had the best time. Of cause the highlight for me were the other 25 passengers I met. All like minded people from around the globe and im sure we will all remain friends. We had so much fun ! I cant wait to organise my next Sail Croatia Cruise as Ive never had such a rewarding and much needed life changing holiday.....Until next time
- DALE, 05/10/2024 04:41, Travelled Solo
Had the best time with the most amazing 24 fellow passengers from Australia, U.K., Canada, US, South Africa, and New Zealand, Our guides Mila and Anita were fabulous, professional and knowledgeable-thank you both so much! Ship - Emmanuel. The Captain, crew and chef (captains mum) were wonderful. Always professional, hospitable and safety paramount on board. Thank you all for looking after us like family and showing us your beautiful country and incredible islands! Customer service from Sail Croatia in london were great from start to finish - thank you! Cruise hike has been a fabulous experience and highly recommended. Kindest regards Stacey English
- Stacey, 30/09/2024 09:35, Travelled Solo
Comraderie, top professionalism and best exposure to the delights of Croatia for. Sea to land
- Jaslovelin , 05/09/2024 06:51, Travelled in a Couple
Great team , food was amazing and the hikes were tough but awesome !
- Barbara de Kock , 01/07/2024 06:02, Travelled in a Couple
The logistics were spot on making this a super easy trip. The hikes were clearly explained in advance and our guides, Mate and Marija, were fantastic - their local knowledge and skill made all the difference. Swim spots along the way were a welcome opportunity to relax and the variety of hikes meant we saw diverse terrains, flora and fauna. Highly recommended!
- Simone, 21/06/2024 15:20, Travelled in a Couple
Superb holiday guides. Great boat and wonderful staff. The hikes were incredible. A holiday I will always remember
- Teresa, 18/06/2024 11:54, Travelled in a Couple
Really enjoyed this trip. The boat was extremely well taken care of. The cabin was spacious, shower hot and with strong pressure (important!). IThe boat was spotlessly clean at almost times. The crew were friendly and attentive. The hiking guides did an excellent job of taking care of everyone and went over and above what was expected, with Mila organising extra tours on the islands for those who wanted it. We were 27 on board and there was lots of mingling of desired. I would highly recommend this trip.
- Helen, 13/05/2024 10:29, Travelled Solo
From start to finish we had a great holiday. The boat was gleaming throughout, the crew were friendly and the food was excellent. Just what we needed to fuel up for the hikes. Our guides (Mate and Andro) were kind, helpful, informative and both had a great sense of humour. The hikes were good fun and the views were spectacular! We met lovely people from around the world. We would definitely do this again.
- Claire , 13/10/2023 07:51, Travelled in a Couple
WOW. The guides and crew of our hiking trip made our experience so fun and easy. The hikes were calibrated to the group's preferences, so they were just challenging enough to keep it fun and provided great views of the islands. Breakfasts and lunches on board were delicious. And I can't say enough good things about our guides and crew - so kind, thoughtful, and detail-oriented. This trip was the perfect way to unwind while not just sitting in a beach chair for a week. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure.
- Anonymous, 10/10/2023 13:05, Travelled in a Couple
We loved the hiking cruise! You could swim and walk everyday, and we saw islands/ parts of Croatia we never would have visited otherwise. Everyone on the boat was great. We were recommended by friends, and we will continue to highly recommend too! Thanks Sail Croatia
- Amanda , 26/09/2023 08:37, Travelled in a Couple
Mate and Lola gave lots of info and were always concerned about our safety.
- Kirti, 25/09/2023 18:33, Travelled in a Couple
The organisation, the friendly crew, the varied and well paced hikes. Mate and Lola made a great team leading the hikes and providing information about each location and they had some great restaurant recommendations. Must also mention Lucy who did a great job serving the meals each day as well as making a delicious Aperol Spritz . Each day was varied but with plenty of time to relax or explore each town. Never having cruised before we were not too sure what to expect but loved it and would not hesitate to recommend the trip and sail croatia. We have already told many of our friends.
- Joanne, 25/09/2023 15:20, Travelled in a Couple
Beautiful coves where anchor was dropped to allow us to swim off the swimming deck in crystal clear sea. Towns and villages were fantastic, each had a unique charm and some had summer music concerts to entertain. Hikes were enjoyable if challenging in the humidity. Whilst short in distance they all involved walking up steep and rugged terrain, do pack hiking poles! Mate was our experienced and very knowledgeable guide, we had complete trust in him. Decks were kept clean and tidy, there was always space to sunbathe. Meals onboard were tasty and well presented, a captain’s dinner was provided free one evening. Not rated 5 stars as our ship EOS (21 cabins) was tired and a little “crusty” in places, we were expecting a higher standard and more spacious accommodation. A good mix of English speaking passengers onboard, all respectful to each other and we made new friends for life.
- Carol, 25/09/2023 06:02, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Carol, thank you for your 4-star review! We are really happy to hear you had a wonderful time onboard our Hike cruise, and appreciate all your comments regarding the boat cleanliness, delicious meals onboard, daily hikes, destinations and swimming out at sea in lovely secluded bays, thank you. It sounds like you were able to fully immerse yourself in the country and culture, which we love hearing about! Your kind comments will be passed on to Mate and the rest of the crew. All Premier ships include ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning, and each of our ships are unique in style. We aim to provide transparency for all ship types offered, and you will find the ship options outlined on our website under the Hike page. We are thrilled to know you have made life-long friends Carol, and we hope to welcome you back for another Active Adventure soon!
The tour manager, hiking guide and crew were all so friendly and helpful. Made the cruise relaxing and fun. They made sure we knew what was happening and any changes as soon as possible.
- Rose, 18/09/2023 16:02, Travelled in a Couple
Great crew on board the ship from the Captain to Lucy behind the bar. Amazing hiking trips and guides from Mate and Ioana. I would definitely recommend this trip either on your own or in a small group.
- Deborah, 18/09/2023 05:45, Travelled Solo
Fantastic places to swim and hike to view points. Had a fabulous holiday with like minded people.
- Janet, 19/06/2023 18:43, Travelled in a Couple
Location was beautiful Friendly and knowledgeable guides Lovely ship staff nothing was too much trouble Good mix of passengers Great food nicely prepared and plentiful
- Laurie, 19/06/2023 06:16, Travelled in a Couple
You get to see more of islands, the hike were great and not easy so you do need some level of fitness. Food was brilliant as were the crew onboard and guides. Rooms were great only niggle was air con not very cold. All in all a great experience and great way to see Croatia just wish they did this in other countries like Greece as would book again in a heartbeat
- Janet, 19/06/2023 05:06, Travelled in a Couple
From start to finish the whole experience was fantastic , all communication very quick , the boat clean, the crew amazing ,food all excellent , great group of people on board There was nothing negative at all
- Nicola, 19/06/2023 05:03, Travelled Solo
The boat was a perfect size, always spotless, the food was delicious, the crew superb, charming and helpful and the organization excellent. Each walk was special, Mila and Mari were a perfect combination of guides and always made a plan with the weather enabling us to hike come what may. In the misty, pouring rain a three hour hike was fortunately reduced to a 1 hour hike. We were all very impressed with our captain, especially with his horizontal parking in a tiny harbour! I would definitely recommend doing this trip but be warned for all types of weather and bring appropriate clothing.
- Karin, 29/05/2023 16:02, Travelled in a Couple
Great captain, Vlado, fabulous guides Mila and Mare, were key to us having a fabulous trip even though our weather was not perfect. The whole crew made our stay on the boat amazing. Clean rooms, hot showers, spectacular destinations! Will definitely be back to Croatia.
- Kim, 22/05/2023 07:22, Travelled in a Couple
Loved the friendliness and openness of the crew and guides - showed us the best of Croatian people. There were a few "buts" - there were tv-s in cabins, but they didn't work, the lock of our cabin broke, took a while to get it sorted. The drinks on board cost twice that on shore - I only had 2 classes of wine during the trip and loads on shore - maybe the price policy needs to be worked on... I did also have a question about the wages of the crew and guides - maybe Sail Croatia should pay them more, add it to the overall cost and not do the whole "usually our guests leave tip that much". If people want to add extra tip, they could but this passive agressive - leaving the envelope and instructions how much people need to tip, is leaving a bit of unpleasant shadow to the trip.
- Anonymous, 22/05/2023 05:17, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there, thank you so much for your 4 star review and for joining us this season. We are so pleased to read how happy you were with the crew and guides on your cruise and I will be sure to pass your kind words on! Please be assured that your feedback is very important to us and has been well received. It is only with such feedback we can improve our services and experience for guests, where possible. The points you have raised will be passed onto the correct teams, so thank you for bringing these to our attention. We do have a blog on tipping available on the website as this is not compulsory in Croatia, so is entirely up to the individual if they wish to leave a tip. We wish to thank you for a pleasant week on board.
The crew of the Emanuel were fantastic and looked after us so well. We also had an excellent hike leader - Mate, who took us on interesting hikes on the various locations - and Sail Croatia rep - Andi, who took care of every detail and possible question from the guests. We were also lucky enough to be sailing with the loveliest group of people, making the week one of our most enjoyable holidays.. A really good way of sampling lots of locations in Croatia in a week.
- Elaine , 10/10/2022 08:56, Travelled in a Couple
Sail Croatia was one of the best trips I’ve ever had. Everything from the crew to the food, the hikes, the fellow passengers we’re excellent. Totally recommend.
- Bev , 10/10/2022 01:04, Travelled Solo
Everything about my Hike and Sail trip was wonderful. The friendliness and helpfulness of the crew and tour guides, the delicous meals and the beautiful islands we visited were all amazing. The trip far exceeded my expectations and I would do it again in a second. The hikes were breathtaking and fun. The boat is in very good condition and well cared for. I was very sad to leave all of the new friends I made during the week. Cannot wait to return for another trip.
- Jennifer, 05/10/2022 12:30, Travelled Solo
Wow! we have just returned from a Sail-Hike week on Emanuel. It was an amazing experience that totally exceeded our expectations. Every aspect was top class, the crew were extremely helpful and friendly - the ship was so clean, the food was amazing. Our schedule was updated daily to take account of the changing weather, we were kept safe and managed to see all the highlights .Our guides Marin and Karolina made it such a memorable trip, the pace was perfect for everyone - we quickly became a big family. Groups, couples and singles boarded as strangers and disembarked as friends. Croatia is a beautiful destination, so much more to explore. Would love to do another sail/hike if you offer a different schedule. Love, love, loved it!!
- Mandy, 04/10/2022 15:20, Travelled in a Couple
The overall trip was well organised. Great crew. Food delicious. Tour manager and hiking guide excellent. Even when plans had to change because of the weather a good alternative was organised. We made new friends. I would re book in a heart beat. Well done
- Helen, 03/10/2022 13:38, Travelled in a Couple
worry free vacation where the crew takes good care of you onboard, the hiking guide is outstanding, environment is unforgettable. overall perfect vacation with a perfect combination of relaxation, activity, good food and company. I will remember this week always :)
- Dagny, 05/09/2022 10:46, Travelled in a Couple
Everything was just perfect! Nice swimm breaks, great hikes (Biokovo was the best, even with rain), clean boat, fantastic crew (lovely food), great hiking guide and awsome guest on board! I made lots of new friendships! Thank you!
- Jasmina, 05/09/2022 07:06, Travelled Solo
I m vegetarian and I had a constant monotonous and unhealthy diet of eggs and cheese at each meal of the day. No vegetables, all cheap and badly cooked. To be fair. The ship crew were fine. The guides adequate. The hikes were not interesting bar one trip to a national part. Just uphill to a viewpoint. Every viewpoint and trail looked the same. The other guests were a good and lively bunch. Many felt the same but there was group pressure to say how great everything was.
- Eve, 05/09/2022 06:00, Travelled Solo
Thank you for your review here Eve. I'm happy to hear you found the ship crew and guides to be of good value. We are very sorry to hear of your disappointment with the meals served - upon checking the average ratings for your week onboard, the chef was rated 4 stars. Upon request, the chef would be more than happy to offer more of the foods you can eat as they are used to all kinds of dietary requirements. We value each piece of feedback provided and we encourage our guests to share their experience in their own words with no pressure, so we are disappointed to read this. It's reassuring to know that all guests would recommend our cruise and rated us overall 4-5 stars. We thank you for providing your review, as it is only with such comments we can look to improve our services wherever possible. Thank you
The boat plus crew and hiking leaders exceeded my expectations. This may be because the boat was only half full so more room and more service attention. My room was comfortable and the activities were all well organised. The other passengers were a pleasure to be with. The food was plentiful and well cooked. My only request would be for more healthy options at lunch time. Overall it was a most enjoyable experience.
- Karen Carter, 20/07/2022 09:49, Travelled Solo
From the moment we arrived near our ship on the first morning to the moment we departed, our Sail Croatia guide Mate (pronounced Matty) was superb. So knowledgeable about the history behind the islands and was there to look after everyone, every step of the way both on the hikes and on the ship. Every island was so different. I was so excited to wake up every morning knowing I'd be seeing something new to explore. Cabins are clean and as comfortable as they can be for a small ship. Plenty of hot water. Crew were friendly. Definitely looking to book again next year, but for the cycle cruise so that I can see more of these beautiful islands. The Sale Croatia sales team are also fantastic. Quick to respond to any queries I had ahead of our holiday.
- Naomi, 29/06/2022 04:38, Travelled in a Couple
Mein Mann und ich hatten unvergessliche Tage mit einer exzellenten Crew auf dem Boot "Emanuel", tollen Menschen um uns herum in einer familiären Atmosphäre sowie mit beeindruckenden Wanderungen unter der Leitung eines phantastischen Guides! Wir hatten gemeinsam so viel Spaß, dass wir sehr traurig waren beim Abschied. Absolut empfehlenswert!
- Sylke , 04/10/2021 13:57, Travelled in a Couple
Translated: My husband and I had unforgettable days with an excellent crew on the boat "Emanuel", great people around us in a family atmosphere and with impressive hikes under the guidance of a fantastic guide! We had so much fun together that we were very sad when we said goodbye. Highly Recommended! Hi Sylke and thanks for your 5 stars. We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your time on our Hike cruise with unforgettable experiences, thank you! Emanuel and the crew are one big family, so we are happy to hear you were made to feel welcomed and also part of the wider Emanuel family.
Our guides Mate and Kate were just the best The other staff were also excellent. Tbe meals were fabulous. The waks we did were interesting and challenging and very well led. Kate covered the history and points of inteerest with expertise. We were swimmers and that was caered for very well by the staff A wonderful holiday thankyou!
- Suzie, 07/10/2019 17:20, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Suzie, it is awesome reading what a great time you had on your Hike cruise with us this season! We are pleased to read how happy you were with the level of service provided by Mate, Kate and the rest of the crew on board, I will be sure to pass your kind words onto them. Thank you for joining us!
The whole experience was fantastic. We had a couple of times when, due to weather, our itinerary had to be changed and the alternative offered was great. The boat was very comfortable, the food excellent and I would highly recommend Sail Croatia.
- Karen Burge, 07/10/2019 04:30, Travelled in a Couple
Hi Karen. Thank you for your review! We are so pleased to read you had such a fantastic experience on your Hike cruise with us this season. Thank you for the recommendation and a great review :)
The boat was comfortable
- Anonymous, 04/10/2019 15:59, Travelled in a Couple
Thank you for joining us!
The captain, crew and guides were incredibly welcoming and ensure our time on the Milini was second to none. Big thank you to Mate and Gordana for making our hiking adventures so memorable with your local knowledge, sense of humours and inclusive enjoyable hikes. For anyone wishing to enjoy the sea, mountains and the great culture Croatia has to offer this is they way to do it.
- Karen, 27/09/2019 08:22, Travelled Solo
Many thanks for your 5 star review of your Hike cruise on board Mlini, one of our Ensuite ships. We are pleased to read what a great job the whole team did on board and will be sure to pass your thanks and kind words onto them, thank you for this and also for a great week on board!
We were well taken care of by the staff of Sail Croatia. Food was great. Scenery was lovely. Suggestions for island restaurants were great. One suggestion: Make sure each level of hikers has an accompanying guide. In several situations the advanced group had two guides and the moderate group had none.
- Jana, 23/09/2019 16:48, Travelled in a Couple
Many thanks for your review of your Hike cruise with us this season on board Milena. We are so pleased to read that the staff really took care of you on board, that you enjoyed the delicious meals served and also that you enjoyed exploring beautiful Croatia with us! I will be sure to pass your further feedback onto our Operations Manager. Thank you for joining us.
These was a better than expected adventure. The ship was clean and polished. There was much more deck space with room to sit or lounge outside, while visiting with other guests, sunbathing or relaxing with a good book. Our room and bathroom was bigger than expected. The staff excellent and always available to answer questions. There was always more food than needed and a bowl of fresh fruit out all day. It was a good balance of hiking, boating, relaxing, with lots of opportunity to explore the towns when we were in port. Swimming off the boat was great fun too. We are very happy that we did this cruise and recommend it to like minded enthusiasts.
- Leslie, 17/06/2019 05:31, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there - we are so glad we managed to exceed your expectations! We try very hard to get that balance of hiking, relaxing and sightseeing during the day and socialising at night just right so we are delighted you enjoyed that vibe. Thanks for booking with us, and recommending us to others - we would love to have you onboard again!
The trip was well organised and our downstairs cabin was very spacious. The food was always nice and plenty to go around! Our guide, Ljubo made the trip what it was. His knowledge, passion and experience for hiking in Croatia added so much to our trip. The island stops and hikes were well planned and I was happy with the level of challenge of them. It gave our group freedom being able to choose wether to attend the days hike or explore the town if they didn’t feel up to it. On our last hike we were all so please Ljubo took us to a special wine wasting which was a excellent way to end the week!
- Sarah, 27/05/2019 00:52, Travelled in a Couple
Hi there and thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your cruise with us and found the trip to be very well organised. Our Lower Deck cabins tend to be a little more spacious than our Above Deck cabins, so we are pleased to hear you enjoyed the additional space. Thank you for your comments on your guide Ljubo, he has a wealth of knowledge and passion for his culture and country as a whole, we are so happy to hear he was an instrumental part of your overall experience. It's good to know you were happy with the challenge levels on your hike cruise and hope to have you back again with us for another challenging adventure!
I really enjoyed the Hiking cruise. The hikes are beautiful (but weather dependent). Most hikes were only 2.5-3 hours and be prepared to spend quite a lot of time sailing between islands. I would recommend the trip for solo travelers, whatever age. Our group had a spread of ages from early 20s to 60s.
- Anonymous, 20/05/2019 16:28, Travelled Solo
Thank you for your 5-star review on our Hike cruise. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed the cruise overall and were onboard with a variety of travellers. We aim to provide a good balance between hiking, sailing, enjoying swim stops in lovely secluded bays, and also allowing free time at each destination. We are happy to know you found this a great way to see Croatia! Thank you.
Cruise guides were so kind and pro. Hikes were beautiful and sailing was great experience. Thanks.
- guy, 08/10/2018 07:19, Travelled in a Couple
Croatia itself is beautiful. Boating to several different islands was the adventure of a lifetime. Our hiking guide was experienced, and shared so much about Croatian people and culture. The food on the boat was plentiful, homemade, traditional food - all healthy and delicious. All the Sail Croatia crew and representatives were professional and personable. We greatly appreciated the carefully thought out itinerary changes to make our experience even better.
- Mindy, 03/10/2018 16:57, Travelled in a Couple