A Last-Minute Luxury: We're Cruising Croatia!

You know those days when you've been staring at a screen for too long, and your brain quietly whispers, “maybe you should be on a yacht right now”? Well… I listened.

On a particularly long workday, I found a last-minute deal that felt too dreamy to ignore, a 10-day small ship cruise through Croatia aboard the MV Princess Eleganza with the excellent travel brand, Travelmarvel. Croatia has always been high on our must-visit list, and suddenly, the timing just felt right.

So, I did the only sensible thing: I booked it.

The MV Princess Eleganza - our home for 10 days later this year!

Why now?

We’ve been craving something relaxing and just a little bit luxe, the kind of trip where the hardest decision is what cocktail to order by the water.

We’ve cruised once before, a short P&O sailing years ago, and while it was fun in its own way, the big-ship vibe just wasn’t for us. Crowds, queues, and pool decks that felt more like theme parks? Not really our scene.

Why this trip felt right...

We’re calling it a romantic recharge. After a busy start to the year (and a very long Aussie summer that didn’t involve enough holidaying), we wanted something relaxing, beautiful, and just the right amount of luxe, without having to plan every detail ourselves.

This cruise ticks every box:

✔️ Boutique yacht (no mega ships here, thank you)

✔️ Slow travel at its best, think turquoise swim stops, ancient towns, and cobbled laneways

✔️ Accommodation and transport all in one

✔️ Small group size

✔️ Daily adventures without the frantic pace

And yes, if you’re wondering, our love for Below Deck definitely played a role in the excitement. We may not have the yacht to ourselves, but this is as close to superyacht life as we’re getting without becoming influencers or billionaires.

A floating boutique hotel

The MV Princess Eleganza is a small yacht-style ship with just a handful of guests, which means no bingo halls, no buffet stampedes, and no loud announcements over the speaker every hour. It’s intimate, considered, and beautifully slow.

We’ll wake up in a new coastal town each day, dive into turquoise waters, and stroll through ancient laneways without ever having to unpack twice. Yes please.

Where we’re heading

We board in Dubrovnik and cruise north along the Adriatic coast, stopping in sun-kissed islands and charming seaside towns like Korčula, Hvar, and Split. Think crystal-clear swim stops, long lunches, gelato by the water, and maybe even a spontaneous dance floor moment if the mood strikes.

Before the cruise, we’ll be spending a few days in Doha and Sarajevo, and finishing up in Zagreb. It’s a bit of a whirlwind, but in the best way.

What we’re most excited about

Honestly? Everything.

The idea of not having to organise a single ferry, taxi, or hotel transfer is pure magic. We’re excited for the scenery, the slow pace, the connection with other travellers, and the chance to soak up a bit of that European summer sun, without the frantic energy of doing it all ourselves.

It’s also our first proper grown-up, romantic escape of the year, one where we can truly switch off, sip spritzes, and just be together.

Will we share the ride?

A little! We’ll be posting the odd story and snap over on Instagram as we float along, but mostly we’ll be leaning into the dreamy, salty, romantic slowness of it all. There will be plenty to share on the blog once we’re home, with our favourite stops, what it’s like to cruise Croatia, and of course, the packing list.

Watch this space.

– Mish x