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
Our sail/hike trip will be remembered as a favourite because of the people. Our two guides, Karla and Mate, shared their knowledge and passion for Croatia helping passengers appreciate the living history all around us. We sailed on the ship Columbo which was extremely well run by captain and crew. Thank you all!
- Cynthia, 07/10/2024 07:40, Travelled with Friend/s
Had the best week ever. Perfect in all ways. Guides were so friendly and passionate and knowledgeable about their country. The crew of “Emmanuel “ were amazing as well, with a clean well equipped boat and friendly and helpful at all times. Food was fabulous. Amazing trip and can’t recommend highly enough.
- Hazel, 06/10/2024 11:54, Travelled with Friend/s
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
We had a fantastic time, met great new people and felt good getting in a bit of walking and swimming whilst still having some time to explore the towns we stopped in. Many thanks to the staff who were all so friendly, helpful, great guides and of course fabulous cooks. We highly recommend sailing on the Emanuel with Sail Croatia.
- Kirsten, 01/10/2024 19:55, Travelled with Friend/s
Thus was one of the best holidays that I have ever had and I have traveled expensively in my life to all continents. The organizing of the hikes was especially impressive. Dealing with various levels of fitness and skill would have made this a challenging task but Mate chose hikes that could appeal to all levels and mixed the intensity each day giving those who needed a rest. There was plenty of opportunity to swim creating the perfect fitness balance. I especially loved the carefree and historical stories told by Andro that displayed his passion for country. The boat was beautiful and very clean, the service top notch and attentive. The food was tasty, plentiful and creative. We had one bad day of weather and I truly appreciated the choice made by the captain to come in a day early, I felt safe in his hands. Because of this experience we are planning to book another Sail Croatia from Split for next year. We started searching for a similar trip when we returned but Sail Croatia wins
- Sharon , 30/09/2024 15:50, Travelled with Friend/s
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
What a great way to see the islands and learn so much about the history and geography of the area. The Emmanuel is a great ship to travel on with great , friendly and helpful staff. Food was excellent and plentiful and the twin bedded cabin we had was more roomy that I expected Our guides Mila and Anita are so knowledgeable and shared many facts along the hikes . The hikes were a all manageable length and the ascents worth it , for the amazing views. I loved being able.to swimming the ship daily, what a great holiday. Mila's enthusiasm and passion for her country , traditions and history and love of walking in nature is contagious. Thank you
- Ruth, 30/09/2024 05:31, Travelled with Friend/s
We did the sailing/hiking tour around the south islands of Split and every day got better and better! The scenery is spectacular, the water is amazing to look at and even better to swim in! The hikes were such a wonderful way to see the country. Mila and Lola were our fantastic guides and they made every hike incredible. We learned so much and got a great workout in each day. The crew is superb! We had some weather but the Captain did everything he could to avoid it and get us to our next destination. Every other crew member made sure our accommodations, food and drinks were great! ! I would definitely go back and sail/hike with this group of people any day!
- Tracey, 18/09/2024 20:23, Travelled with Friend/s
Excellent staff and very clean boat. Itinerary was great despite changes due to weather. (The only thing I would change is to have more salads and fish at lunch - too much heavy meat). Wonderful week!
- Joanne, 16/09/2024 00:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Really well organised from start to finish. Maria our Sail Croatia rep was friendly and helpful nothing too much trouble. Mate our hiking guide was also fab sharing his passion for his homeland on our hikes. The boat was comfortable, food excellent and our swim stops one of the highlights. We met some amazing people from around the globe we had plenty of laughs and each day we discovered another gem of an island. Croatia is truly beautiful I would recommend this holiday to all my hiking loving friends.
- Sharon , 24/06/2024 16:14, Travelled with Friend/s
The staff made our trip a dream come true. They were very attentive to the guests, helping to solve challenge when luggage was delayed. Enjoyed the food, activities, swimming and company of other guests. It was a great way to see lovely Croatia. Highly recommend.
- Debra, 18/06/2024 13:40, Travelled with Friend/s
The accommodations were better than I expected. Helpful and knowledgeable staff Wonderful guides Would have liked better directions to where the boat was docked, we had to pay a €50 taxi ride to get to the other side of the harbor. We never received the “live feed”, Fortunately they held the boat for the 4 of us.
- Anita, 17/06/2024 18:37, Travelled with Friend/s
Friendly and helpful staff! The chef made the best begie meals for me!!!
- Sandi , 17/06/2024 03:43, Travelled with Friend/s
This is a terrific cruise. Our hiking guide, Mate, was friendly, knowledgeable and willing to work with each person's skill level ensuring everyone had a great time. Our cruise manager was Lucija. She was well-organized, always smiling and very willing to go the extra mile to help passengers arrange tours, transportation, etc. The ship was extremely clean and the crew were outstanding. Highly recommend!
- Anonymous, 06/06/2024 23:36, Travelled with Friend/s
The guides were knowledgeable and fun! Lucy went above and beyond in making arrangements for our group after the trip was completed.
- Kim, 03/06/2024 19:32, Travelled with Friend/s
The team onboard Afrodita made my experience onboard the best I could ask for. Truly an amazing crew which gave the highest of care to everyone on board. Andre the waiter was amazing at making sure I didn't lift a finger to get anything. He reminded me I was on holiday saying I will do it for you. He was truly amazing. They all were to be honest such lovely kind people. Our hike guides Mila and Andro were also amazing, with their amazing guidance they brought the fun factor also which is important when you are on holidays. This has been my best holiday to date and I will forever remember my time and crew onboard Afrodita. Thank you everyone and hope to meet again one day x.
- Mary Hackett, 23/05/2024 10:16, Travelled with Friend/s
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
The crew on the Emanuel was terrific. They were attentive and very professional. The ship is kept in tip top shape; everything is very clean. Everything was well-organized and there was a good balance between programmed activities and free time. The maximum capacity for passengers was 30 and we had 27 aboard. It was a very good number. The views were spectacular and all of the places we visited were beautiful and interesting.
- Pam, 13/05/2024 07:36, Travelled with Friend/s
Thankyou everyone I had an amazing time!! The hikes were hard but wonderful. Our guides were so friendly (Ilona and Mila) and helpful and were so happy sharing information about each island and where to visit and eat. Thankyou lovely ladies!! I was happy with the service from all of the guys on the boat too. There was always enough food which I enjoyed. The boat was very clean and you could see the captain really looks after it and has pride in this, thank you boys!!
- Kim, 13/05/2024 04:07, Travelled with Friend/s
Fantastic daily treks with amazing knowledgeable guides Mila and Ilona. Clean boat with plenty of relaxing areas. Nice room. Fabulous attentive staff.
- Susan, 13/05/2024 04:05, Travelled with Friend/s
My trip with Sail Croatia was a wonderful adventure. The staff's exceptional hospitality made the journey truly unforgettable. They were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely cared about our well-being, ensuring we had a fantastic experience. The ship itself was clean and comfortable. It was well-maintained and the food was plentiful and delicious. The hikes in Croatia were nothing short of spectacular, with breathtaking views and diverse terrain. The camaraderie among fellow travelers added an extra layer of enjoyment to the trip, and I made lasting friendships along the way. This sailing and hiking adventure exceeded my expectations. It's a perfect escape for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I can't recommend it highly enough, and I'm already dreaming of my next journey with this outstanding team.
- Alison, 23/10/2023 01:58, Travelled with Friend/s
I travelled with a friend on the Hike & Swim trip onboard The Emmanuel. All the other guests were a fabulous bunch & very diverse. The hikes were challenging for me - some more than others - however no one is hurrying you & you can choose to sit some out if you need to. I felt a tremendous sense of achievement for managing to complete the majority & of course enjoy the beautiful countryside. Our guides Mila & Maria were just brilliant - knowledgeable, humorous, kind & the crew of the Emmanuel were also the same - it felt like a family. The food was excellent & we particularly appreciated the special efforts made for us as a Vegan & Vegetarian. One thing to note - if you are checking a bag in, bring walking poles - the ascents & descents are steep & rocky. Cabins are very basic & very small but all we did was sleep in them so it was no problem & tbh there is all we need. Definitely would return to some of the islands & would consider a different Sail Croatia trip (different islands).
- Rebecca, 10/10/2023 11:11, Travelled with Friend/s
Our ship’s friendly crew and staff on board the Mail Ante were all wonderful., especially our waiter Mario. He was very welcoming, and helpful.. I had some dietary requirements and he looked after meat every meal. All the food we had on board was delicious. There was so much variety. Our hiking guides Mate and Andro were friendly and very informative. We learned lots about the places we hiked to. The hikes were challenging but doable with amazing views. The swim stops were glorious. We met lovely fellow passengers and we all got along really well. Thank you for a fabulous holiday. We would highly recommend this trip and would love to return to Sail Croatia in the near future.
- Anonymous, 09/10/2023 20:49, Travelled with Friend/s
- travelling with old friends - meeting new people - seeing new beautiful places - discovering that I enjoy cruising - nice staff
- Karen, 25/09/2023 20:12, Travelled with Friend/s
Great value for money and perfectly planned and executed hikes and activities. I will recommend this to anyone. Hiking guide is a gem. Coffee on the boat - perhaps open coffee station 24/7? Even if guests must bring their own ingredients
- Carien Lambert, 18/09/2023 13:50, Travelled with Friend/s
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
We all had a fantastic week with sail croatia. Food was really good all the staff were lovely and helpful. Hikes were challenging and great. Loved every minute. Thank you. Hope to come again next year.
- Susan, 23/06/2023 08:25, Travelled with Friend/s
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
Robert our guide. Perfect gentleman, didn't see our age - saw us. Went over and above on every hike helping supporting and encouraging all the way. On board crew felt like family exceptional service night and day.
- Catherine , 19/06/2023 05:01, Travelled with Friend/s
From getting on boat to getting off I had a fantastic time with wonderful people and crew. The guides crew were fantastic food amazing 👏 I challenged myself with the hikes and everyone supported each other I had the time of my life.
- Christine , 19/06/2023 04:45, Travelled with Friend/s
Good accommodations, friendly people. Expert crew and captain.
- Mary, 18/06/2023 17:09, Travelled with Friend/s
Ahoy there! I went on the hiking week with eight girlfriends, but by the end of the holiday I felt that I was friends with all 32 shipmates, all of the amazing crew and our guides Mali and Marija. From the Captain, to every single member of the crew, they made this week truly awesome. The food onboard was plentiful and delicious. The boat was kept scrupulously clean and tidy. Unfortunately, the weather for the first four days was very wet and windy, causing the Captain to reschedule the original route. Mali had to improvise and make alternative plans for some of our hikes by tweaking the itinerary. Both guides worked very hard at making the holiday a huge success and motivational, enabling me to complete some of the slightly challenging parts of our treks. Thank you! The landscape and views are breathtaking, the people of Croatia are wonderful and I will be returning, In the meantime, I’ll remember with affection the week spent with such wonderful company. Book now!!!
- Fiona, 22/05/2023 06:26, Travelled with Friend/s
Ahoy Fiona! This is fantastic to read - thank you so much for taking the time to leave us with such a brilliant review, we really do appreciate it. It's wonderful reading what a great time you had on board and you were really pleased with all aspects of the cruise, thank you so much for an incredible week on board. We hope we will see you on board again in the future.
All the towns we visited in Croatia were beautiful! The hikes were great fun! The crew were ALL amazing, friendly and knowledgeable! The boat (Milena) was clean, spacious and very comfortable! And we had a wonderful group of people and all became fast friends!
- Diane, 18/05/2023 14:22, Travelled with Friend/s
Hi Diane, We are glad to hear you had such an amazing week! Thank you for your review and we hope to see you again in the future!
- Darlene, 15/05/2023 19:03, Travelled with Friend/s
Thank you Darlene!
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
Staff, boat, walks, venue
- Chris, 03/10/2022 08:24, Travelled with Friend/s
Lovely small boat able to drop into little bays and harbours. Good food for hungry hikers. Plenty of room on deck to relax while travelling.
- Anonymous, 03/10/2022 06:19, Travelled with Friend/s
Congratulations I am a vegan and I can honestly say I had the most delicious variety of dishes on board the ship. The ingredients were fresh and extremely well cooked and presented. So even though the choice of food on land was very limited it didn’t matter because you were so well looked after on board.
- Amanda , 03/10/2022 03:47, Travelled with Friend/s
The trip was great in every way. The food was exceptional and the service very good. The trip was very well organized, the hikes were fun and the tour guides were very nice. Enough time to walk around the small towns we visited and an unforgettable opportunity to swim in the sea.
- Þórunn, 24/09/2022 09:49, Travelled with Friend/s
First time with sail Croatia the crew were lovely friendly but were not invasive and gave you your privacy. The boat particularly the cabins were above my expectations we were in the bottom deck at the back and yes when the engines started up it was your early alarm clock but did not upset us as we needed to be organised for the day ahead. we had Mate and Marin as our guides and they were marvellous and knowledgable and even though they had a few difficult characters to manage they were always professional and polite. Over all had a great holiday the only reason for 4 stars was it would have been good to have the cabin floor sweeper daily as we were bringing in a lot of stones from our trips. The food was fantastic and never a day when we did not enjoy it the chef went above and beyond and mario the host at the meals could not go enough for us. The facilities on the sip were great from the sun lounging deck to the bar.
- Margaret, 19/09/2022 16:49, Travelled with Friend/s
What a fantastic holiday! Just loved it! Would totally recommend. Lovely crew, great hike guide, such a different holiday from my normal holiday! Lots of food, challenging hikes and beautiful weather. Gorgeous islands, swimming in the sea off the boat, thank you for a great experience 👍🏻
- Janet, 15/09/2022 05:23, Travelled with Friend/s
The amazing crew, view and group
- petronella, 07/09/2022 12:07, Travelled with Friend/s
Great team on Emanuel boat made everything run seamlessly. Mila and Mate were an awesome team for the hikes and suggesting places to visit and a wealth of knowledge on the area. Not just leading hikes but going over and above to make sure we had a great time! The boat crew were also great ensuring we docked in great places, got time to swim, and ate lovely food.
- Hoanne, 05/09/2022 11:27, Travelled with Friend/s
My friend and I went on the Emanuel for a hiking and sailing vacation in August and there is nothing that could have made this vacation better. Very quickly after we began sailing we stopped for our first swim break in the amazing blue waters. Getting into the chilly sea people yelped and laughed and opened up to each other. By the time we got back on the boat we were all friends rather than fellow travelers. The first hike solidified us even more. Every day we hiked to a beauty spot; a monastery, a fortress, a mountain hut etc. Each hike was challenging but you were not worn out afterwards. Our guide did a wonderful job of keeping us together and resting without making the faster people feel like the hike was slow. Every day we swam in the most beautiful coves (bring a snorkle and mask!) The food was abundant, varied and delicious. We moved seats each meal so we ate with all our friends. In towns restaurants and entertainments were recommended and they were quite good as well.
- Dana, 05/09/2022 08:01, Travelled with Friend/s
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
The balance of everything involved with the week was amazing-sailing, walking, swimming & sunbathing. The guides were great-friendly & excellent at going out of their way to help you, both with the walking & knowledge of the islands. The boat had all we needed & the food was good.
- Alison , 05/09/2022 06:20, Travelled with Friend/s
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