What to Expect on a Yacht Cruise – Sailing Holidays in Croatia
Choose an idyllic yacht cruise destination such as sailing holidays in Croatia for your next adventure.
Yacht cruises are proving popular with holidaymakers keen to combine an intimate yet luxurious travel experience with the adventure that exciting coastal destinations have to offer. If you’re eager to find out more about sailing adventures, perhaps sailing holidays to Croatia, read on to learn about what to expect and the difference between yachts and cruise ships. You’ll also discover sailing routes and itineraries – such as sailing the Dalmatian coast – and more.
Why Choose A Yacht Cruise?
What is a yacht cruise? It’s a sailing holiday on a power yacht, where you get to lap up life aboard a luxurious vessel, spending days leisurely sightseeing ashore and having fun on the water. Small and friendly, yacht cruises have an experienced crew in charge and provide excellent first-class service. You will drop anchor in secluded bays, by remote islands and near breath-taking attractions, allowing you to enjoy an exciting itinerary and unforgettable experiences.
Yacht Vs Cruise: What’s The Difference?
The main difference between yacht cruising and a typical standard cruise is the size of the ship. Many yachts are only 50 metres long with around 20 cabins, so passengers can look forward to a friendly atmosphere onboard – cruising companions often become lifelong friends. Yachts are smaller than cruise ships, and so can moor in tranquil bays and deserted hamlets, places that are often inaccessible to large ocean cruise ships. Yachts tend to sail closer to coastlines too, enabling you to get better views of the stunning landscapes you’re passing.
While intimate and relaxed, motor yachts such as the MS Adriatic Sun and MS II Mare offer first-class accommodation in elegantly decorated cabins. Many yachts used for sailing holidays in Croatia have well-furnished cabins with generous proportions – up to 18 square metres or 193 square feet – with individually controlled air conditioning and cabin heating.
Depending on the yacht, some cabins feature small balconies for enjoying the sea breeze and stunning views. Yachts will typically have a modern restaurant serving delicious cuisine, sun deck, hot tub and onboard Wi-Fi. Items such as a hairdryer and personal safe are often standard.
Don’t, however, expect other amenities that you often find on a large cruise liner, such as a spa, cinema or pool. Yachts simply take advantage of being surrounded by a massive sea-water swimming pool – go on, dive in!
Yacht Cruise Vs Independent Yacht Charter: What’s The Difference?
Having a professional team at the helm provides peace of mind on a yacht cruise. Unlike chartering a private yacht, on a yacht cruise you don’t need to know the ropes, so to speak, or pass sailing qualifications. A dedicated crew will study charts, plot routes and navigate the yacht over the waves. All you need to do is sit back, unwind and enjoy a taste of the high life!
Book a yacht cruise with Riviera Travel and flights and transfers will also be included in the price – something you’d need to arrange yourself on a bareboat charter. Various meals and some excursions ashore will be part of the package too, and you’ll also have the invaluable services of an experienced tour manager.
Yacht Cruising Routes And Itineraries
Yacht cruises sail in idyllic locations all over the world. For a first-timer though, sailing holidays in Croatia will tick all the boxes. Where better to cruise than in the sparkling sapphire waters of the Adriatic Sea – the coastline and islands are enchanting.
A Typical Day Aboard A Yacht Cruise
Yacht cruise itineraries are, of course, different – and everyone has different yachting companions – but a typical morning may be spent chilling out in the sunshine. After a leisurely breakfast that includes fresh local fruit, bread and yoghurts, there may be time to relax on deck, reading or appreciating the scenic coastline from a hammock. The ship will then anchor up in a quiet little cove, and you’ll have the opportunity to swim or snorkel in crystal-clear waters.
Back on board for lunch, then once refreshed you’ll be able to go ashore. Ships can moor in city ports and small sheltered harbours, so you’ll be able to tour around popular must-see destinations, as well as less well-trodden spots. These settings, often only accessible by sea, are magical places seemingly untouched by time. Organised excursions will be enriching journeys of discovery, but you’ll also have plenty of free time to wander around at your own pace.
On several nights, your yacht chef will put together a mouth-watering menu, focusing on traditional local cuisines. Other evenings, you’ll have the freedom to eat wherever takes your fancy, a harbourside seafood restaurant, perhaps, or a lively taverna.
Yacht Cruising For Solo Travellers
Solo yacht cruises are ideal for those travelling alone. Trips such as the Adriatic Coast Yacht Cruise and Split, Rab & Undiscovered Islands of the North Yacht Cruise are exclusively for solo travellers. No single supplements apply.
With only a small number of like-minded passengers on board, it’s easy for conversations to start flowing. A welcome dinner helps break the ice – and in no time you’ll be chatting like old friends. Captivating itineraries are absorbing during the day, and the relaxed free seating in the yacht’s restaurant adds to the carefree vibe. If you choose to have lunch alone on the sun deck, that’s fine. This easy-going holiday allows you to do whatever you please. And with complimentary Wi-Fi on most ships, it’s effortless to share your adventures with family back home.
Best Time To Go On A Yacht Cruise
When’s the ideal time to go on a sailing holiday? It depends on where you’re travelling. However, if considering cruises along the Dalmatian coast, you’ll be pleased to know it’s among the sunniest coastlines in Europe. Temperatures often reach 30°C in the summer, with highs in May, June, September and October averaging around 24°C. Just remember the sea takes a few months to warm up. Take a dip in May, and the water will be 18°C, whereas sea temperatures can climb to a pleasant 23°C in September.
What To Wear On A Sailing Holiday?
The simple answer, wear whatever you want. Yacht cruises are relaxed affairs with little formality on board. Shorts and t-shirts are the order of the day, with perhaps a summer dress or polo shirt and lightweight trousers for the evening. Don’t forget to pack your swimming costume, sunglass, sunhat and plenty of sun cream. Bring comfortable flat footwear too for onshore sightseeing.
If you’re considering a river cruise, find out what to wear on a river cruise to help with planning your packing.
Sailing Holidays In Croatia
It’s easy to see why a yacht cruise is an experience on many people’s bucket lists. Sailing holidays in Croatia offer a memorable voyage around some of the Mediterranean’s most majestic and incredible islands, a smooth sail through blissful waters and alongside sensational coastlines. Try it – and fall in love with yacht cruising.
Explore the Dubrovnik, Split & Jewels of the Dalmatian Coast Yacht Cruise and the Split, Zadar & Secrets of the North Yacht Cruise to see what adventures await!