Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea

A Venetian Sojourn — 3 days, 2 nights

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

Pre-Cruise Program:

This specially curated pre-cruise program is designed to acquaint you with some of the special charms of Venice but also leave ample time for you to pursue other aspects of the city at your own pace and following your own interests. A panoramic tour via water taxi on the first morning serves to orient you to Venice and its neighborhoods, while an excursion on the following day introduces you to some of the city's finest craftsmen—a perfect beginning to your voyage in the Adriatic Sea.

Day 1 — Venice

Arrive at the Venice airport, where you will be met and escorted to the Starhotels Splendid Venice, your home for the next two nights. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a sunset aperitif on the hotel terrace. Dinner is independent.

Splendid Venice

Day 2 — Venice | Cruising the Lagoon

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide for a leisurely cruise via private water taxi of some of the 118 islands that make up the city of Venice. Begin by cruising past the island of Murano, for centuries the center of the Venetian tradition of glassmaking, and past San Michele, the city’s historic cemetery island. Continuing along the Fondamente Nuove, enjoy sweeping views of Venice’s skyline, before following the broad Canale della Giudecca through a more tranquil neighborhood. Proceed along a section of the iconic Grand Canal, Venice’s main artery, lined with ornate palazzi—the legacy of the city’s maritime empire. A highlight of the excursion is a stop at the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Here, you disembark to explore its serene church and perhaps climb the bell tower for breathtaking views across the basin to St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the domes of the Basilica.

Return to the hotel, where the balance of the day is at leisure. Lunch and dinner are independent.

Splendid Venice

Day 3 — Venice | Embark

Venice, like most cities, has a long history of craftsmanship—pottery, woodworking, jewelry making, and so on. But in addition to these traditional crafts, there are two that are uniquely identified with Venice: mask making and gondola building. This morning's excursion begins with a leisurely stroll through the Dorsoduro and Santa Croce districts to visit a mask-maker's atelier. In the workshop, you will see the variety of masks for which Venice is known—from classic Bauta and Moretta to the long-nosed Plague Doctor design—and a master artisan will give a brief history of the masks, explaining their roles at Carnivale and in the theater. Observe as craftsmen demonstrate making a mask of papier-mâché and decorating it. Leaving the mask maker, follow your guide along the waterfront to one of the two remaining squeri (boatyards where gondolas are made). During your visit, you will see skilled craftsmen at work, repairing damage and maintaining the gondola's seaworthiness. As you watch, your guide will explain the ancient methods being used, which are passed from generation to generation so that these black boats, so central to Venetian history, continue to be made entirely by hand.

Return to the hotel, where time is at leisure for lunch and independent activities until you transfer to San Basilio Port to embark Le Bougainville and set sail.

Your hotel:

The Splendid Venice is a 4-star property in the center of the city, near St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. It features 165 rooms, a restaurant, two lounge bars, 24-hour room service, marvelous views of the surrounding area, and all of the services you would expect from a luxury hotel in a major European city.

Your program includes:

• 2 nights at The Splendid Venice (or similar)
• Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
• Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on the day of embarkation
• Welcome Reception on Day 1
• Breakfast on days 2 and 3
• Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

• Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program departure day
• Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

• It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
• Early check-in can be arranged, depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
• The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
• Program is offered on a space available basis.
• Program is subject to change without notice.

Venice: La Serenissima — 3 days, 2 nights

At the height of its imperial power, Venice proudly referred to itself as La Serenissima, the Most Serene Republic. Even today, the city remains a masterpiece of timeless grandeur, where gilded palazzos line winding canals and echoes of history linger in every piazza. From the shimmer of the lagoon at sunrise to the enchanting glow of twilight over St. Mark’s Square, Venice invites you to lose yourself in its beauty, artistry and romance.

Day 1 – Venice, Italy

Upon arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you will be warmly greeted and escorted to Splendid Venice hotel by private water taxi—your first glimpse of the city's iconic waterways. In the afternoon, a dedicated hospitality representative will be available to assist with recommendations for dining and independent exploration, ensuring you make the most of your first day in Venice. As evening falls, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel, where you can toast to the start of your journey. Dinner is at your leisure, offering the perfect opportunity to discover one of Venice’s many charming restaurants.

Splendid Venice

Day 2 – Venice

After breakfast at the hotel, join your guide for an exploration of two of Venice's most emblematic crafts: fashioning the masks worn during the Venetian Carnival and manufacturing the gondolas for which the city is famous.

Your first visit is to the studio of an expert mask-maker, who will introduce you to the mysterious origins of the use of masks in Venice and their association with Carnival from the 13th century onward. You will learn how the masks are designed and produced and will see some of the magnificent variety of their decorations.

A walk through some lesser-known neighborhoods of the city will bring you to one of the few remaining squeri—the workshops where gondolas are built and maintained. In the past, these boatyards were located all along the Grand Canal, attesting to the importance of gondolas in the life of the city. A local artisan will describe the traditional methods of designing a boat to meet the individual needs of each gondolier and will explain the history of this uniquely Venetian method of transport. After your visit to the boatyard, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Splendid Venice

Day 3 – Venice | Embark

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, set out on a guided walking tour that brings Venice’s storied past to life. Begin in the heart of the city with a visit to the Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that served as the political and judicial hub of the Venetian Republic. Explore its grand chambers, adorned with priceless artworks and echoes of centuries of governance during Venice’s golden age as a maritime power.

As you exit the palace, stroll through St. Mark’s Square, pausing to admire the ornate façade of St. Mark’s Basilica. While interior access is no longer included, your guide will share the fascinating history of this iconic structure, originally built to house the remains of St. Mark, the city’s patron saint. Learn about the basilica’s unique blend of Byzantine and Venetian influences and its symbolic role in the city’s spiritual identity.

Following the tour, enjoy lunch at your leisure or take some time to explore Venice independently. Later, reconvene at the hotel to transfer to the pier for embarkation.

Your hotel:

Splendid Venice is a 4-star property in the center of the city, near St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. It features 165 rooms, a restaurant, two lounge bars, 24-hour room service, marvelous views of the surrounding area, and all the services you would expect from a luxury hotel in a major European city.

Your program includes:

• 2 nights at Splendid Venice (or similar)
• Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
• Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
• Welcome Reception on Day 1
• Breakfast on Days 2 and 3
• Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

• Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
• Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

• It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
• Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
• This pre-tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility as it requires a lot of walking over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, and steps.
• The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
• Program is offered on a space available basis.
• Program is subject to change without notice.

Croatian Wine Country and the Elafiti Islands — 3 days, 2 nights

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

Post-cruise Program:

Instead of focusing on the legacy of medieval architecture that has earned Dubrovnik designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this carefully curated program explores aspects of southern Croatia that take you away from the crowds and the heat of the city in midsummer. On your first day, visit the wine country just south of Dubrovnik and sample a range of the varietals produced there. Then, after a night in a landmark hotel, escape to the picturesque villages and inviting beaches of the Elafiti Islands.

Day 1 — Disembark | Wine Country | Dubrovnik

After breakfast aboard ship, your guide will meet you on the pier and lead you on an excursion to the Croatian seaside and then inland to a center of Croatian wine production. Begin with a scenic drive along the Adriatic coast to the picturesque town of Cavtat. After a short orientation tour, enjoy time at leisure to stroll along the palm-lined promenade, admire the historic architecture of Old Town, or simply enjoy the harbor views. A bit further down the coast, arrive in the village of Čilipi for a visit to the Crvik Winery, a family-run estate known for producing local varietals like Dubrovacka Malvasia. Tour the cellars and vineyards, and enjoy a tasting of several of their award-winning wines.

Situated at the edge of a nature preserve, Dubrovački Podrumi is the venue for a second tasting that highlights the diversity of Dalmatian winemaking. The vineyards here were destroyed in the wars of the 1990s, but have been restored, so that the winery is now among the region's largest producers.

After these two wine tastings, it's time for a light lunch at the nearby Family Šapro Mill and Estate, one of the agrotourism farms in the area. You will be welcomed by the owners, given a brief tour, and then invited to an olive-oil tasting with homemade bread, local prosciutto, two varieties of local cheese, olives and olive tapenade.

Pleasantly wined and dined, return to Dubrovnik with a brief stop at the new Franjo Tuđman Bridge (named for Croatia's first president), before checking in to the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, your home for the next two nights. Dinner is independent.

Hilton Imperial Hotel

Day 2 — Dubrovnik | Elafiti Islands | Dubrovnik

The thirteen islands of the Elafiti Archipelago, just off the coast of Dubrovnik, are known for their natural beauty and for their relaxed way of life. Today's excursion takes you to two of the three inhabited islands in the group for a relaxing day of cruising, strolling along sandy beaches, swimming, and dining.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide to walk down to Dubrovnik's Old Port and board a local boat for a scenic cruise along the city's ramparts to the island of Koločep, known for its pine forests and sandy beaches. Enjoy a leisurely stroll here and a light snack at one of the charming seaside cafés before rejoining your boat to sail to nearby Lopud Island, where you will spend the balance of the afternoon. Once a retreat for Dubrovnik's nobility, Lopud is a popular escape from the city—known for the fine white sand of Sunj Beach and for its charming village of stone houses and palm trees. Take some time to explore the village before joining fellow travelers for lunch on the promenade at the La Villa Restaurant, where you can relax and savor the creations of Chef Veselin Šapić while enjoying views of Lopud harbor. After lunch, time at leisure can be used as you wish; we recommend swimming in Lopud's crystal-clear waters.

In the early evening, sail back to Dubrovnik and your hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Hilton Imperial Hotel

Day 3 — Dubrovnik | Depart

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.

Your hotel:

The Hilton Imperial Hotel in Dubrovnik is a landmark property that combines historic charm with modern luxury, situated just outside the city’s Pile Gate. Originally opened in 1897, the meticulously-restored hotel played host to aristocrats, diplomats, and celebrities throughout the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, the hotel features a refined restaurant serving Dalmatian cuisine with a modern twist, as well as a sophisticated bar and lounge. Other amenities include a wellness center, indoor pool, and fitness facilities.

Your program includes:

• 2 nights at the Hilton Imperial Hotel (or similar)
• Transfer and luggage handling from the pier to the hotel on disembarkation day
• Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3
• Breakfast on Days 2 and 3
• Lunch on Days 2 and 3
• Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

• Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day.
• Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program.

Please note:

• It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.
• Late check-out is possible depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
• The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
• Program is offered on a space available basis.
• Program is subject to change without notice.