Where It All Started

 

The small ship cruise industry started in earnest in Croatia in 1992, with the introduction of traditional small wooden ships, 20 metres in length and with just 10 cabins. The original ships were repurposed from small cargo ships, carrying sand and other freight, to become basic passenger carrying vessels. The first cruises started around the Kvarner Islands in the north of Croatia, and as they grew in popularity they ventured south to the Southern Dalmatian Coast which is now the premier small ship cruise destination in the world.

The repurposed ships, whilst unique and full of charm, weren’t airconditioned, typically featured 8-10 small, 8 square metre cabins and offered guests shared bathroom facilities. Nevertheless, despite the basic facilities on board these ships, the allure of the beautiful Croatian Coast and the ability for these small ships to get into the heart of each island, drove demand for these cruises.

Ship building has long been one of the key industries in Croatia, and local innovation has helped to drive this industry forward and achieve greater heights each year. In 2001 the first steel hull ship with en-suite shower facilities was launched, and in 2005 the first steel hull ship at 33 metres in length was introduced. The first deluxe vessel, as we know them today, was launched in 2013. The 47-meter Futura ship featured 19 spacious, 14 square metre cabins with an on board Jacuzzi. Having recently been refurbished, the Futura continues to be one of the most sought-after ships in Croatia.

In the last 3 years, ship building in Croatia has reached new heights. Sleek and spacious 53-metre vessels with ultra-modern cabins, exclusive private balconies, and on-board pools are now built in the Split, Trogir and Krilo Jessenice ship yards. Thanks to talented designers such as Anja Grubiša and captains striving for innovation, Croatia is setting the standards worldwide for small ship building.

The Croatia small ship cruise industry is a world apart from the behemoth cruise lines which are owned and driven for profit alone by multi-national organisations. The owner of each ship in Croatia is the captain. His family make up many of the crew. Several of the leading ships today are owned and operated by captains who helped start this industry some 25 years ago. The proceeds from these small ships go into the local community and fund further ship building and local job creation.

The larger cruise lines have brought in unwanted publicity to Dubrovnik, with overcrowding and passengers not contributing much more than souvenir purchases. Our ships get into the smaller ports and support the local communities with fresh produce purchases from markets and local guided tours, and our guests enjoy dining al fresco in local restaurants in the evenings.

As the Croatian coastline is blessed with crystal clear sea and some of the cleanest water in the world, sustainability and protecting the environment is important to our team at Unforgettable Croatia. We work closely with the Blue World Institute in Rovinj, a non-profit research centre responsible for dolphin and sea turtle conservation efforts in Croatia.

As we look ahead to the future, as a company we strive to operate the most luxurious fleet of small ships in Croatia. We are working closely with the captains and their families to enhance the guest experience on board, and to drive ship innovation, job creation and support of local communities.