Croatia is an ideal family vacation destination! With over 1,000 islands to discover, 8 National Parks to explore and an abundance of quaint, historic towns to get lost in, it’s no wonder so many families flock to the Dalmatian coast each and every summer for their annual holiday.
When choosing your next family holiday destination, don’t overlook a cruise in Croatia! Below we’ll break down all of the benefits of taking a cruise in Croatia as a family, how to plan for your family vacation and which cruise to choose!
Benefits of Cruising Croatia as a Family
Calm Seas
Croatia, and particularly the coastal region of Dalmatia, is home to many islands and islets resulting in calm, sheltered conditions that are perfect for smooth sailing. Small ship cruising in Croatia is a great option for families as there is no open ocean cruising and you’re generally underway for no more than 3 - 4 hours at a time. Most cruise itineraries will depart at sunrise when the weather conditions are ideal, allowing you to get a few hours of cruising out of the way before you’re even awake!
Private Coves
With over 1,000 islands scattered off the Croatian coast, it wouldn’t be a visit to this Adriatic gem without swimming in the turquoise bays the country is famous for. Most mornings onboard a cruise will start with a swim stop in a secluded cove, with the shimmering sea inviting you in to start the day with a splash! This is great for families as the calm seas are perfect for everyone to swim, snorkel or just enjoy a quick dip!
Plenty of Excursions
With such vibrant nature and history around every corner, the excursions available on a cruise really do provide something for everyone. Each afternoon your ship will dock in a new location, allowing you and your family to explore at your own pace, or take part in an optional excursion.
The benefit of small ship cruising is that your ship will stay overnight in each location, docking right in the heart of the town, so there is no ferrying back and forth between the shore and the ship.
Choose to explore a different side of Croatia on adrenaline pumping excursions such as zip-lining, rafting, canyoning and bungee jumping. If you’re looking for a more educational experience, check out some of the informative walking tours, wine tasting experiences and local village dinners that are on offer.
Like-minded Families
Small ship cruises are intimate experiences, attracting like-minded families from all over the world. These cruises accommodate no more than 40 guests onboard, plus crew, meaning that many guests join the cruise as strangers and leave as life-long friends.
Hassle-free Meals
A buffet breakfast and 3-course lunch are included daily on most Croatia cruises. Whilst there is no a la carte dining option onboard the ships, guests are able to advise of dietary requirements, which the onboard chef is able to cater to. Evenings are reserved for discovering traditional Dalmatian cuisine and enjoying evening meals in each unique location. This provides a great balance of hassle-free meal times onboard and evenings reserved for trying the food Croatia is famous for!
Planning Your Cruise
Family vacations may be few and far between, so planning is essential to ensure it’s a holiday to remember!
When is the Best Time to Cruise in Croatia?
Croatia is graced with warm, Mediterranean weather between June and August annually, however these months do tend to coincide with the peak tourist season. The off-peak months of April - May and September - October are slightly cooler and whilst there is a higher chance of rain, travelling off-peak is a great option if you’d like to beat the crowds and avoid the heat of the peak summer months. This can be especially important if you’re travelling with young children!
Which Itinerary Should I Choose?
Itinerary options are endless in Croatia, and choosing the right route for your family can be a tough choice! The best place to start is by planning your flights. Most airlines fly into the major coastal hubs of Split or Dubrovnik, which is where all of our cruises depart from.
From there you can either choose to cruise on a return route, which will see you setting sail from, and returning to, the same location. If you’d prefer to explore a little more before or after your cruise, a one way cruise may be a better option, starting and ending in a different coastal city.
Which Ship Should I Choose?
The first thing you need to know about small ship cruising in Croatia is that these ships are all custom-built to navigate the unique islands and inlets Croatia is famous for. Ships with the Sail Croatia fleet are small enough to dock in quaint towns and ports dotted throughout the islands, which sets them apart from their cruise line counterparts.
Most cabins onboard are twin-share with your choice of a double or twin bed, however on some ships cabins are configured specifically for families, offering triple cabins (1 double bed and a single) and even quad cabins (2 double beds or four singles). These cabin options make it easy to choose the best cabin arrangements for your group!
The Best Family Cruises in Croatia
With so many Croatia Cruises on offer, make sure you choose the best option for your family! It’s important to note that, due to health and safety onboard, many cruises have a minimum age limit onboard.
Below is a breakdown of the family cruise options we offer at Sail Croatia:
Best Croatia cruises for families with teenagers
Explorer Cruises are ideal for families with teenagers aged 15+. This cruise has the perfect mix of sightseeing, relaxing and exploring, with plenty of optional excursions on offer. Explorer Cruises attract families with teenagers, young professionals and young at heart travelers, so there is always a nice mix of age ranges onboard these cruises.
Best Croatia cruises for active families
If you’re an active family looking for a cruise holiday that involves more exertion than sunbathing, look no further than a Cycle Croatia Cruise. Children over the age of 14 are welcome to join this active cruise, combining the best of cycling and cruising in Croatia.
Best Croatia cruises for families with young children
If you’re looking to explore Croatia with young children, a Private Yacht Tour is an ideal choice. Whilst this is not a cruise, but rather a private sailing experience, your family will be able to explore Croatia at their leisure and enjoy the beauty of sailing!
This intimate sailing experience includes a professional skipper, flexible itinerary and your choice of yacht or catamaran for 7 days. Private Yacht Tours are also an option for those travelling with infants, with additional extras including portable cots and safety netting available to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests onboard.
Have we convinced you to take a cruise in Croatia with your family yet? Check out our wide range of cruises and explore Croatia in style!
