• Activity Level:  1
  • Comfort:  4
  • Departs From: Opatija
  • Location: Opatija to Zadar and return to Opatija
  • Duration: 8 days (Sat-Sat)
  • Availability: SATURDAYS only, weekly departures
  • CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Highlights

  • 2025 dates available
  • This cruise only visits Northern Croatia, not the 'Dalmatian' Coast.
  • Open-age cruise, most suitable for families and budget travellers
  • Excellent value 7 night return cruise from Opatija visiting northern islands
  • Mornings you can relax on the spacious sundeck or outdoor lounge
  • Afternoons and evenings free to explore Croatia's finest destinations
  • Relax and let the Captain and Crew take care of you
  • Daily swim stops
  • NOTE: This cruise does NOT visit Split, Hvar, Korcula or Dubrovnik at all
Book now (obligation free) pay later

8 days from Opatija, Krk, Rab, Zadar, Molat or Olib (Ilovik), Losinj, Cres, and to Opatija

Experience the natural beauty of northern Croatia
Fabulous 7 night return cruise Opatija to Opatija.
Covering all of Northern Croatia; Kvarner Bay of Islands.
Breakfast and lunch included!
This cruise only visits northern Croatia, not the Dalmatian Coast.
** PLEASE NOTE: This cruise does NOT visit Split, Hvar, Korcula or Dubrovnik at all. **
**Open-age cruise, suitable for families, couples and small groups. **

Itinerary

One of the few northern Croatia return cruises, to and from beautiful Opatija.
Port Location (approx):
Opatija: https://goo.gl/maps/2WFHWBfHqvx

Open-age cruise, suitable for families and budget travellers. Double/twin cabins on Main and Lower Deck. Solo travellers must book a cabin for solo use. Not all ships have triple cabins, please check with us first. There are no quad cabins.

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/premium-superior/

See the Deluxe 7 night Version here:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/180/deluxe-cruise-of-kvarner-bay-from-opatija-7nts/

Similar itinerary, cycling cruise:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/233/bike-boat-cruise-kvarner-bay-on-andela-lora-7nts/

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
8 days from Opatija, Krk, Rab, Zadar, Molat or Olib (Ilovik), Losinj, Cres, and to Opatija

INCLUDED:
• 7 nights accommodation in a cabin with ensuite and air-conditioning
• Daily cabin service
• Mid-week towels and bed linen change
• English-speaking Cruise Manager
• Free Wi-Fi

Meals Included:
• Buffet breakfast daily
• 6 lunches with three courses
• Captain's Dinner
• Afternoon tea and coffee with biscuits
• Unlimited drinking water dispenser
• Olive oil and wine tasting onboard
• Rab Cake tasting

Sightseeing and Tours Included:
• Guided Walking Tours of Rab and Zadar
• Daily swim stops (weather permitting)

NOT INCLUDED:
• Port Tax €60 pp / week - mandatory (pay onboard)
• Optional excursions / entrances
• Meals/drinks not listed
• Beach towel hire ~€7/week

# Optional Excursions (book onboard):
• Entrance fees to National Parks: ~ €25pp/park

ITINERARY:
Check-in 11.00-12.30hrs. The cruise departs Opatija port at 13.00hrs (1pm) sharp. Please do not be late. If you miss the departure you will need to arrange transfer at your own expense to the next port to meet the ship.


Day 1: OPATIJA Embarkation, then to KRK ISLAND (L)
Departure from port at 13hrs sharp, with lunch onboard as we sail towards Krk Island. Late arrivals can join in Krk, the homonymous town of the largest Croatian island. The first swim stop enroute to refresh and enjoy the crystal clear seawater. Krk has diverse villages of various sizes, stunning promenades, dramatic rock faces with tiny islands and hundreds of hidden bays and beaches. There's a buzz along the waterfront of Krk Town, have a drink in one of the many bars or choose a restaurant for a tasty dinner. Overnight in Krk.
# Included: Welcome Lunch onboard

Day 2: to RAB ISLAND (B, T, L)
After breakfast, cruise towards Rab, known as the “island of love”. On arrival, join a guided tour to see imposing stone walls and Romanesque church towers, churches, palaces, stone streets and ancient facades. Many streets and squares are open-air galleries, as artists work outside. Do not miss the famous “Rapska torta“ cake (the recipe is secret, tasting included). If weather permits, walk up to the Kamenjak hill and watch the magnificent sunset. Overnight in Rab.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard

Day 3: to ZADAR (B, L)
Morning cruise from Rab towards Zadar, travelling by Pag island with its unusual moon-like landscape. Swim stop on the tiny Maun island. Upon arrival to Zadar, join the optional guided tour. Today, Zadar is the centre of the region and was the metropolis of Dalmatia for many centuries. The rich cultural heritage is visible at every turn: the Roman Forum dating to the 1st century AD, the church of St. Donatus dating to the 9th century AD - the most famous Medieval basilica and the symbol of the city, the imposing and mighty city walls with representative Port and Land gates dating to the 16th century AD, numerous palaces and villas of former noble families... Great restaurants line part of the waterfront and the centre of town. Famous, contemporary creations are the Zadar Sea Organ, one of a kind in the world (listen to the sound) and “The Greeting to the Sun” light installation. Overnight in Zadar.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard

Day 4: to MOLAT ISLAND or OLIB ISLAND (B, L, CD)
Early departure towards Molat or Olib island (depending on the available harbour space) in the northern part of the Zadar archipelago. Think pure peace and serenity. Tonight it's the Captain's Dinner party onboard. Overnight in the harbour.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard
# Included: Captain’s Dinner onboard

Day 5: to ILOVIK ISLAND, then LOŠINJ ISLAND (B, L)
After breakfast and a morning swim, cruise towards Ilovik. It may have only a few hundred inhabitants but Ilovik has lovely bays and crystal clear water. A short stop before departure towards Lošinj, known as the “sunshine island” and for its abundance of pines, wildflowers and herbs. Lošinj is one of the most popular islands on the northern Adriatic waters for its hidden coves and cool Mediterranean vibe. On arrival, stroll along the pretty waterfront or walk up to the Lošinj Aromatic Garden full of indigenous herbs and plants. The small town of Veli Lošinj is easy to reach if you want to explore on foot. Overnight in Mali Lošinj.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard

Day 6: to CRES ISLAND (B, L)
Departure towards Cres after breakfast and the morning swim. This unspoiled island of long and narrow shape is abundant with olive groves, vineyards, forests of oak, beech and remarkable stone walls. Cres and Mali Lošinj were once connected as one island before the Romans dug a narrow channel to separate them. Spend the night in the port of Cres, a typical medieval town.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard

Day 7: to OPATIJA (B, L)
After breakfast, departure back towards Opatija. The famous Opatija Riviera is best seen from the sea. On arrival in the afternoon, join a walking tour of Opatija (included on Premium Superior). Stroll the longest lungomare (seaside promenade) in Croatia or stop in Volosko, a traditional fishing village with some of the best fish restaurants in the country. On the last night on board, perhaps have a farewell party under the stars. This would be a great time to swap contact details with new friends and plan the return trip. Many people come back, again and again.
# Included: Breakfast and lunch onboard

Day 8: OPATIJA - Disembarkation (B)
Gather for one final breakfast, followed by goodbyes with all the new friends and the crew before they see you off in the port of Opatija.
# Included: Breakfast onboard

B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
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Please note that you might be allocated a twin bed cabin on the day, even if you request a double bed.
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Accommodations

Great accommodations are provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our specific FAQ pages here:

Before You Go - General Croatia Info (general info for all travellers)

Before Your Cruise - General Cruise Info (for all small ship Croatia cruises)

Before Your Island Hopping Tour - General Info (packages combining hotels, ferries and transfers)

Before Your Private Charter - General Yacht and Gulet Charter Info (private charters)

 

Click here to see how the booking process works: https://www.discovercroatia.com.au/booking-process-how-to-book/

How far in advance do I need to book?

Cruises: For our weekly small ship cruises with guaranteed departures we suggest you book as soon as your plans are in motion. All cruises are extremely popular especially during peak season, which is June, July, August, September and these dates can be booked out up to a year in advance, especially September. One-way cruises are particularly sought-after and tend to sell out first, so please speak to us first to ensure your cruise choice is available before booking any flight arrangements.

Escorted Tours: Escorted Group Tours with guaranteed departures are also best booked as early as possible to ensure your place on the tour, as spaces are limited to a set number of passengers. Once the tour is full that departure is closed for new bookings.

Island Hopping, Self-Drive, Self-Guided Cycling/Hiking and Independent or Private Tours: Independent tours are available most days of the week at any time of year, so if you're booking late these are a great option. They can also start or finish on any day of the week, so can be a great alternative to the cruises (that mostly depart only on Saturdays). You can check out our Island Hopper Tours and our active tours for some examples. If you can't find what you are looking for please make an enquiry on any of our tours and let us know what you need. We love creating custom tours with our clients.

What do the different ship categories mean?

Please see our Ship Descriptions page here, for all the information on Ship Categories, Deck and Cabin Descriptions.

 

What is half-board? What meals are included?

Half-board (HB): This means that 2 meals a day are usually provided, mostly it will be breakfast and lunch on cruises, and breakfast and dinner on escorted tours. Each cruise or tour will have meals listed on the daily itinerary, so that you will know exactly which meals are included. Some lunches or dinners are swapped occasionally, so that you may enjoy a wonderful gourmet experience with your fellow travellers, such as a Captain's Dinner on a cruise, or a wine-tasting and lunch on an escorted tour. For the remainder of your meals you will be able to dine anywhere you choose and you will be responsible for the cost of those meals. Your Cruise or Tour Director will be happy to recommend a good value and trusted eatery nearby at every location, or you can explore on your own.

Bed and Breakfast (BB): This means that only breakfast is included in your holiday. Most of our Independent Tours include breakfast only, so that you are not beholden to going back to your hotel for lunch or dinner as you are going to be exploring on your own. We think that flexibility with lunch and dinner gives you the best option for exploring Croatia and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.

Full-board (FB) is occasionally offered on cruises as an optional extra, but we do not recommend you take the full-board option unless you are really sure about it. A lot of the joy of the cruise and tour experiences is to dine in local restaurants, 'konobas' (traditional pubs) and bars, so that you can meet the people who live and work there. Why come all the way to Croatia only to eat on-board for every meal? There are so many fabulous (and even some famous!) eateries. Get out there and taste them!

 

What type of transport is used on the Island Hopper Tours? Local ferries and vehicle transfers

Local ferries: Local ferries are used between the mainland and the islands where possible. Most of these ferries are fast ferries (high speed catamarans). Our Island Hopper Tours include all ferry tickets, as well as delivery of the ferry tickets to your hotel, when we come to pick you up to take you to the ferry port. In some towns, where some hotels are in the pedestrian zone close to the ferry port (like Hvar), then you will be met at the ferry and directed to your hotel, with luggage assistance if required. If your hotel is outside the pedestrian zone you will be met at the ferry and taken to your transfer vehicle, with luggage assistance if required.

Transfers: Most Island Hoppers have private airport transfers included, and private transfers to/from the ferry ports on the islands. Some transfers will be shared transfers if there are others going to the exact same hotel at the same time and it is a short distance.

How fit do I need to be for my holiday?

Relaxation/cultural cruises and tours: On-board your cruise ship, you will need to be able to negotiate gangways and stairs and be able to step from ship to ship as the cruise ships are moored next to each other sideways and sometimes you need to step across to the next ship. You will be walking mostly on the cobblestone streets through the iconic cities and towns of the region. The excursions are best-suited to those who are capable of walking on uneven surfaces as many old cities and towns have limited totally flat surfaces that can accommodate wheelchairs or walking-frames. Please contact us to ask about your specific circumstances, as we are happy to help plan for your needs as best we can. Assistance will be provided on cruise ships to help you navigate getting on and off, but there are a few limitations. Please ask.

Cycling tours: Although almost completely flat this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges between approximately 15-50 km. You will be biking mostly on the dedicated cycle paths alongside canals, rivers and through the iconic cities and towns of the region. This tour is well-suited to those who have never taken a cycling holiday before as it is flat and predominantly traffic-free and you also have the option of skipping the cycling and relaxing on board.

What happens if I can't attend an excursion?

It is possible to relax at your hotel, on the tour bus or on the boat at any time.

What happens if I can't cycle or hike a stage on an active holiday?

For cycling cruises: If you don't want to cycle it is possible to relax on the boat as it moves to the next port of call.

For cycling and hiking tours: If you don't want to (or can't due to illness or injury) cycle, hike or walk a stage, then we will make arrangements to have you transferred to the next stop on your itinerary so that you can continue with your holiday. Prices for transfers vary widely, so pricing will be provided on an 'as needed' basis only.

What equipment do I need?

Relaxation/excursion cruises and tours: You will need comfortable walking shoes, clothes for relaxing, your swimming costume, and a sunhat. Most cruises are fairly relaxed and casual clothing is fine for all meals, though you may want to take one nice outfit depending on where you wish to dine onshore.

Cycling cruises and tours: You will need comfortable sports shoes, comfortable clothes for cycling, waterproof jacket and trousers, a helmet and a sunhat. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.

If you have any questions, just give us a call or email:

Call us or WhatsApp: +612-9212-1507
Email us: [email protected]

 

 

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Itinerary

  • Day 1: OPATIJA Embarkation, then to KRK ISLAND (L)
  • Day 2: to RAB ISLAND (B, T, L)
  • Day 3: to ZADAR (B, L)
  • Day 4: to MOLAT ISLAND or OLIB ISLAND (B, L, CD)
  • Day 5: to ILOVIK ISLAND, then LOŠINJ ISLAND (B, L)
  • Day 6: to CRES ISLAND (B, L)
  • Day 7: to OPATIJA (B, L)
  • Day 8: OPATIJA - Disembarkation (B)