Deluxe Superior Cruise Split to Dubrovnik on MS Desire 7nts (Saturdays)

Itinerary

Open-age cruise, though passengers are usually small groups or couples ranging from 35-65yrs. Double/twin cabins on Upper, Main and Lower Deck. Solo travellers must book a whole cabin for solo occupancy.

For this trip all you will need is a few T-shirts and a swimming costume to spend seven unforgettable days sailing on the southern Adriatic Sea from one island to another. Relax and let the Captain and his crew take care of you. During the day you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and explore the underworld of the Adriatic Sea. The evenings you have free to find a good restaurant or discover historical monuments.

SHIP INFO AND PHOTOS:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/ships/desire/

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
8 days from Split, Trogir, Krka, Stari Grad, Hvar, Vis, Blue Cave, Korčula, Mljet, Slano, Elaphiti and Dubrovnik

INCLUDED:
• 7 nights cruise from Split to Dubrovnik
• Accommodation in a cabin with private ensuite and air-conditioning
• Shared transfer to from Split Airport to the port
• Shared transfer from Gruz port to Dubrovnik Airport
• Professional Cruise Manager onboard
• Daily cabin servicing
• Fresh bed linen and bath towels mid-week
• Beach towel use (1/week)
• Luggage handling
• Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard

Meals Included:
• Welcome Dinner
• Captain’s Dinner with live entertainment
• Buffet breakfast daily
• 6 lunches, all with 3 courses and salad bar
• Complimentary drinking water dispenser
• Complimentary regular coffee and tea
• Complimentary fresh fruits available daily
• Oyster tasting in Ston

Sightseeing Tours Included:
• City Walking Tours of Split, Trogir, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik
• Professional English-speaking Local Guide for all City Tours
• Wireless headset system for walking tours
• One-way bus transfer from port to Old town Dubrovnik for sightseeing
• Entrance fees to Diocletian’s Palace and Franciscan Monastery’s Pharmacy
• Guided tour and Entrance fee to Krka National Park
• Guided tour and Entrance fee to Mljet National Park
• Excursion to Ston with Oyster tasting
• Daily swim stops (weather permitting)

NOT INCLUDED:
• Port Tax €60 pp - obligatory (pay onboard)
• Entrance fees other than listed
• Dubrovnik cable car or city walls entrance
• Drinks on board, extra meals
• Specialty coffee or tea
• Transfers to/from accommodation

# Optional Supplements:
• Entrance fee to Blue Cave: ~€25pp (weather permitting)

ITINERARY:
Arrive anytime during the day, first overnight is in port. Check-in to your cabin from 14.00hrs. If your flight arrives earlier, you may leave your luggage on the ship and come back at 14.00hrs when your cabin is ready. We request that passengers already in Split not arrive before 14.00hrs if at all possible, as the Crew are busy with the cabin turnover in the short time they have to be ready for your arrival. If you must arrive earlier, please just drop your bags and take a walk around this gorgeous city until 2pm.

Day 1: SPLIT - Embarkation (WD)
Welcome to Croatia! Embarkation officially begins at 14:00hrs, but if your flight arrives earlier you can leave your bags on the boat until your cabin is ready and take a walk around this historic city. If you are arriving to the airport today, you can take advantage of our shared transfers from Split Airport to the cruise port. If you are already in Split, taxis, uber and buses are all available to get you to the port. If you are in Split Old Town area you can usually walk to the cruise port. After check-in starts at 2pm, get settled in your cabin before joining our walking tour of Split around 18:00hrs. We will visit the seafront promenade (Riva) and Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. The historical centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After returning to ship enjoy our Welcome Reception followed by your Welcome Dinner this evening.
# Included: Walking Tour of Split (around 18.00hrs)
# Included: Welcome Reception (around 19.00hrs), followed by Welcome Dinner
# Included: Shared Transfer from Split Airport (must be requested in advance)

Day 2: to TROGIR, then Krka (B, L)
As we enjoy breakfast onboard we set sail to the old Dalmatian town of Trogir. After docking join a guided tour of Trogir with a local tour guide. Trogir is sometimes referred to as “miniature Venice” or a “mini Dubrovnik” because of its ancient walls, or a floating museum town - as it has a masterful architecture including some stunning Venetian palaces. Lunch onboard. Afterwards, we transfer to a coach to visit Krka National Park. You will discover the pristine nature and waterfalls of the Krka National Park, an area extremely rich with flora and fauna. Late afternoon coach transfer back to the ship, then your evening is at leisure to wander the town. Overnight in Trogir.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard
# Included: Walking Tour of Trogir
# Included: Krka National Park Entrance

Day 3: to STARI GRAD, Hvar Town visit; HVAR (B, L)
Leaving Trogir in the morning and sail towards Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar, swim stop and lunch onboard. Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe with many friendly and affordable conobas and restaurants in the backstreets of the old town. The Stari Grad Plain and the old town centre of Stari Grad have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2008. After disembarking in Stari Grad we will take the bus to visit the town of Hvar, which will show you many historical sites, such as St Stephen’s Square and Cathedral, the Arsenal with the theatre built on its first floor, the first municipal theatre in Europe. Above the town is the impressive fortress Fortica offering magnificent views over the bay and Pakleni islands. In the evening, return transfer by bus to the boat docked in Stari Grad. Overnight in Stari Grad.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard
# Included: Walking Tour of Hvar

Day 4: to the Blue Cave, then to VIS (B, L)
Leaving Stari Grad we will have an early morning cruise towards Biševo island to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon on the islet Biševo just in front of the town of Komiža. Possibility of our visit will depend on weather conditions; however you will be notified of this on time. Afterwards continue to Vis. The town of Vis is on the northern side of the island and was developed near the remains of ancient Issa, the first urban centre in Croatia, formed by the Greeks in 4th century B.C. Visit the remains of the Roman Baths, Church or Our Lady and City Museum or take a walk enjoying the view of the beautiful Villae Rusticae situated along the coast. Your evening is free in Vis.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard
# Optional: Blue Cave Entrance (weather permitting)

Day 5: to KORČULA, (B, L)
Leaving Vis, we will have an early morning cruise towards the Korčula, and the island’s main settlement, known as the birthplace of Marco Polo, one of the world’s most famous explorers of all times. Stop for lunch in one of the secluded bays en route. Afternoon arrival in Korčula followed by a guided walking tour of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Korčula has variety of different restaurants, bars and clubs for those looking for evening entertainment. Overnight in Korčula.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard
# Included: Walking Tour of Korcula

Day 6: to Mljet, then SLANO (Ston) (B, L, T, CD)
In the morning head further south to the Island of Mljet. Join the Cruise Manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park. Alternatively, you can rent bicycles, scooters or kayaks to explore the National Park or island on your own. Lunch onboard while you sail towards a small peaceful fisherman's village on the mainland, called Slano. This is the starting point to the Pelješac Peninsula, which is known as one of the best wine-producing regions in Croatia. We travel overland to Ston, another once fortified small village which is now famous for its oysters. After exploring the town of Ston we leave to a small nearby village to enjoy the authentic local oyster tasting. We then head back to the ship and tonight, we'll enjoy the Captain’s Dinner with live music onboard. Overnight in Slano.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard
# Included: Oyster tasting in Ston
# Included: Captain's Dinner onboard with live entertainment
# Included: Mljet National Park Entrance Fee

Day 7: to Elaphiti, then DUBROVNIK (B, L)
Early morning cruise to Elaphiti islands with swimming stop on one of the secluded bays to spend the morning. Before lunch sail to Dubrovnik, before we moor at port we cruise alongside the old city walls, while lunch is served. After docking join a guided tour with panoramic ride and transfer included. After the panoramic view, we will arrive at the historical centre of Dubrovnik, walk through 'STRADUN' (both a street and a square), the most famous place inside the town walls. The famous city is enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage site, and your guide will show you the most interesting sights of Dubrovnik. After your walking tour, you will be left on your own to explore the city. Perhaps visit the City Walls, the Franciscan Monastery with Europe's second oldest pharmacy, the Rector's Palace and the Cathedral, or take the cable car to the top of the Mount Srđ. Return to the ship at your leisure. Overnight in Dubrovnik, Gruz Harbour.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard
# Included: Walking Tour of Dubrovnik

Day 8: DUBROVNIK - Departure (B)
One final breakfast onboard. After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the Crew and all your new friends! You must vacate your cabin by 09.00hrs. If you need to leave early you can do so anytime from 5am. Shared transfer to the Airport included. Taxis, buses and uber are readily available if you are staying in Dubrovnik. Gruz port has the main bus/coach station 50m across the road, with a luggage storage kiosk if you are departing later and need somewhere to store your bags once you leave the ship. Happy travels and we hope to see you again soon!
# Included: Breakfast onboard
# Included: Shared Transfer to Dubrovnik Airport (must be requested in advance)

B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, WD-Welcome Dinner, CD-Captain’s Dinner, T-Tasting
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