Cancelled Croatian Cruise, Adriatic Options?

[Scash]

Our travel agent has just advised us that our 5 night Croatian cruise that we booked and paid for several months ago has been cancelled. The cruise was from from Dubrovnik to Split starting on the 4 September and finishing 9 September 2023. No explanation has been given but we have queried why as it seems very strange to be canceled only a few weeks out. There are few alternatives available as most are booked out on our dates or dates available and cruise lengths don’t work. This part of a bigger trip and we have flights, accommodation and trains booked with most being non refundable or have fees to change. We may be able to start a slightly earlier cruise but our finish date of the 9 September is firm. Our TA booked the cruise through Australian agents Sun Island Tour.

If an alternative cruise can’t be found we will need to look at making up our own Croatian itinerary starting in Dubrovnik and finishing in Split. This will be our first time there and we would appreciate any advice or suggestions on where to go and how long to stay in places. Maybe even a side trip to Montenegro.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If you are only looking to fill 5 nights you can easily fill that in Dubrovnik and Split. Many historic sites and nice places for short holiday.

And if you are a Game of Thrones fan both cities provided sites for series. Particularly Kings Landing (Dubrovnik).

We did the cruise you missed and it was a very good experience. So a pity that you are missing it.

We flew in to Split, spent 4 nights in Pisak, a very small but very nice coastal village in a the family holiday house of a friend.
Then we drove to Mostar, and then to Dubrovnik. 3 nights then, then the cruise, then 2 nights in Spilt.

If you hire a car you might want to spend a night in Mostar, in Bosnia.

 

[bcworld]

I'd agree that 3 nights Dubrovnik, 2 nights split is a good itinerary. Early September is probably out of super peak season but prices may still be on the high side this late in the day.

I drove from Dubrovnik to Split and it was straightforward. However I will say that I think most car hire by default only allows you to pass through Bosnia on the short section of highway where Bosnia has a tiny bit of coastline at Neum. Detours as described by ltoz need prior agreement or additional fees paid...can't remember exactly but there were certainly complications.

If you don't want to drive I'm sure there is probably ample transport between Dubrovnik and Split...e.g. Flixbus which I have recently used extensively in Portugal...you can reserve specific seats for a tiny fee which most customer don't seem to pay!

 

[RooFlyer]

I've been planning 3-4 nights in Dubrovnik for next year.

I haven't lined mine up yet, but plan to get private day or overnight tours:

* Down the coast to Montenegro, Kotor and Tivat etc

* Up to Mostar and area; maybe overnight in Sarajevo

* I've been to Dubrovnik before, but you'd want a day there

* I'd only give Split a day, but you may want two.

For the price of a cruise, you could have some nice comfy private transport, and see exactly what you want.

Edit - I chose Dubrovnik as my base as that has tour companies who are used to crossing the nearby borders.

 

[SuePa]

There are also public ferries that travel between Split and Dubrovnik, with stops at many of the islands that were probably on your previous itinerary. Depending on availability of accommodation, you may be able organise something with that.

 

[Lynda2475]

Agree that with 2-3 nights in each Split and Dubrovnik there is ample to do and see and eat.

If you do decide to take ferries and want to stop in between then Korcula is a great choice, lovely ched hatted restaurant there that is a total bargain LD Restaurant

There are many small companies that do 5-6 night cruises on smaller boats max 30 passengers between Split/Dubrovnik even Intrepid

 

[Pushka]

Agree that with 2-3 nights in each Split and Dubrovnik there is ample to do and see and eat.

If you do decide to take ferries and want to stop in between then Korcula is a great choice, lovely ched hatted restaurant there that is a total bargain LD Restaurant

There are many small companies that do 5-6 night cruises on smaller boats max 30 passengers between Split/Dubrovnik even Intrepid

Agree, Korcula is fabulous.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I drove from Dubrovnik to Split and it was straightforward. However I will say that I think most car hire by default only allows you to pass through Bosnia on the short section of highway where Bosnia has a tiny bit of coastline at Neum. Detours as described by ltoz need prior agreement or additional fees paid...can't remember exactly but there were certainly complications.

Yes Mostar was extra, but was not complicated. It was a small extra payment to the hire company. The drives through border crossings either way were simple and quick.

The OP only has 5 nights though, and so easy to omit.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If your style of travel leans to the outdoors, which ours very much does including hiking, then despite it being almost a 3 hour drive I would strongly recommend that you think about staying for one night at Plitvice Lakes (we stayed 2). When we flew in we originally drove straight up to here and stayed at the B&B Vila Nena (Great hosts, very good location in a lovely setting , but yes on the basic side) where we could just walk into the park and do a full daywalk of the length of the waterfalls, which included doing a short cruise.

Pltivice is really up there with the great natural wonders of the world. It is a Wonderland of Waterfalls.

If you look closely at the first image about half way down it, you will note the path and people on it to give an idea of the scale of the waterwall. And this just one of the many waterfalls there.

​

 

[bcworld]

If your style of travel leans to the outdoors, which ours very much does including hiking, then despite it being almost a 3 hour drive I would strongly recommend that you think about staying for one night at Plitvice Lakes (we stayed 2).

Yes, I second this recommendation!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

PS: There are daytrips to Plitvice Lakes from Split. But is nicer to not to rush things as there is so much to see rather than just the one waterfall, but with a tight timeline it would still be worth doing.

 

[Scash]

Thank you all for your replies and there is some very helpful information. We will actually have 7 nights in Croatia as I missed saying that we had booked one night in Dubrovnik pre cruise and one in Split post cruise.

Based on what has been said here and our own research we are looking at say 3 nights Dubrovnik, 1 in Korcula (will check out LD Restaurant @Lynda2475), 1 in Hvar and 2 in Split and travelling by ferry so it feels like we’re sort of having a cruise . We are heading to Zagreb from Split and are looking to visit Plitvice Lakes on our way there, although this will just be a day trip.

Will let you know how it all goes and once again thank you all for your help .

 

[Lynda2475]

Plitvice Lakes

I did a day trip there from Split, many lovely walks amongst the waterfalls.

Not sure where your first night is in Dubrovnik but if it's in the old town you may want to consider something on the newer beach side for the other two nights. Old town gets swamped by large cruise ships and is noisy all night and huge mark up on restaurants. The other side of town (there is a shuttle between), has nicer more comfortable hotels and more dining options spanning the range from cheap to fine dining.

I recommend an evening sea kayak trip and also a drink at the Cave Bar.

 

[Scash]

I did a day trip there from Split, many lovely walks amongst the waterfalls.

Not sure where your first night is in Dubrovnik but if it's in the old town you may want to consider something on the newer beach side for the other two nights. Old town gets swamped by large cruise ships and is noisy all night and huge mark up on restaurants. The other side of town (there is a shuttle between), has nicer more comfortable hotels and more dining options spanning the range from cheap to fine dining.

I recommend an evening sea kayak trip and also a drink at the Cave Bar.

Good suggestion thank you. We originally booked near the port for easy access to where the cruise starts from but are now looking at alternatives.