Croatia Cruise Days 1 & 2 🛥️
- Mish
- Jan 1, 2026
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 4
Embarkation, Sail Away & Our First Taste of Island Life
By the time we stepped aboard the Princess Eleganza, we’d already crossed three countries, ridden buses and trains, climbed more stairs than I care to remember, and well and truly earned the next phase of our trip.
After our fast-paced days in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Dubrovnik, boarding the ship felt like permission to finally slow down. No more packing tomorrow. No alarms. Just the Adriatic ahead of us and eight days of coastal cruising to enjoy.
Cruise Day 1: Embarkation & Settling In
Embarkation aboard Princess Eleganza was calm and refreshingly personal. At the welcome drinks, we were introduced to the entire crew, small in number, but immediately impressive. Within minutes, faces felt familiar, and that sense of being genuinely looked after set in.
Sunset cocktails and getting to know our fellow passengers was first up. The Princess Eleganza has capacity for 36 guests, small an intimate, just what we wanted. We spent the afternoon playing Bananagrams (a new favourite for us), Aperol spritzes in hand, laughing with people who had been strangers only hours earlier.
Our Cruise Director, Nora, stood out straight away. Warm, organised, and clearly passionate about her role, she set the tone for what would be a very well-run cruise. The bar team were just as memorable, quickly learning drink preferences and always happy to chat.
From our experience, this smaller-ship atmosphere made a huge difference. It felt relaxed and human, not transactional.
Why We’re Glad We Upgraded Our Cabin
We’d originally booked the smallest cabin on the lowest deck, but took up an offer to upgrade before departure, and it turned out to be one of the smartest choices we made.
Our upgraded cabin was located on the top deck, with panoramic windows stretching from the bow around to the starboard side. Instead of a dark place to sleep, our cabin became part of the journey.
Being able to watch the coastline glide past while getting ready to discover a new port, or simply lying on the bed made the entire cruise feel more immersive. If we were to do this cruise again, we wouldn’t hesitate to upgrade.
Cruise Day 1 Evening: First Night Onboard
That first evening, the ship remained docked, giving us time to ease into cruise life properly. Dinner was semi-formal, with beautifully prepared fish and traditional Croatian sides. Fresh, light, and ideal after days of heavy travel food.
The passenger mix skewed older, but it didn’t take long to find the people who matched our energy. One thing we’ve learned is that small cruises naturally sort themselves, you quickly gravitate toward your people.
Later, a band joined us and played a mix of traditional Croatian music and familiar covers. Before long, the room was buzzing and some of us couldn't help but hit the dance floor (well, we created a dance floor in the middle of the dining room!).
It felt easy, social, and genuinely fun; a perfect first night.
Cruise Day 2: A Final Morning in Dubrovnik
The next morning included a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town, which was part of the cruise itinerary. Even though we’d already explored Dubrovnik independently, hearing the history layered over familiar streets added real depth and context.
The guided portion ran for under an hour, followed by free time to wander. In our experience, this balance worked well, informative without feeling rushed.
It even gave Ash a chance to grab another Borek and gelato, just incase we didn't see them again (spoiler.. we did!)
By late morning, we were back onboard, ready for the moment we’d been quietly counting down to.
Sail Away: When the Trip Truly Began
As the ship prepared to depart, we headed straight to the bow.
There was no music. No announcements. Just the sound of water moving beneath us.
With beers in hand, we watched Dubrovnik slowly fade into the distance. After months of planning and days of constant movement, this was the moment the trip shifted gears.
This was the exhale.
Eight days of cruising stretched ahead of us, and suddenly the pace softened. No alarms. No packing. Just sea, sky, and coastline.
Our First Port - KorÄŤula
Later that afternoon, we arrived in KorÄŤula, our first official port of the cruise.
Immediately, it felt different to Dubrovnik, quieter, calmer, and effortlessly elegant. We docked alongside other smaller vessels and walked through them to get to land - an experience we'd get used to (and enjoy a quick sticky-beak of other ships).
That evening, we settled into a terraced restaurant overlooking the ocean. Dinner was unhurried and memorable with beautifully cooked octopus, local flavours, and my first-ever Hugo spritz, which instantly earned a permanent place in my drink rotation.
Korčula didn’t demand much of us, and that was its charm. We wandered, watched, ate well, and simply enjoyed being there.
First Impressions of Cruise Life
By the end of Cruise Day 2, it was clear this style of travel suited us perfectly. After the intensity of Bosnia and the buzz of Dubrovnik, cruising offered a gentler rhythm, structured but flexible, social without being overwhelming.
Unpacking once, letting destinations come to us, and watching the coast slide past our window felt like the ideal next chapter.
And this was only the beginning.
xx Mish
Practical Cruise Tips from Our First Two Days
Cabin upgrades are worth considering on coastal cruises, natural light and views significantly enhance the experience.
Smaller ships feel more personal, with quicker connections to crew and fellow passengers.
Included guided walks are still valuable, even if you’ve explored independently they add historical context - but you can always skip them if you aren't feeling it.
Sail-away moments matter! Head to the bow or deck early for a quieter, more memorable experience.
First ports are often gentler than major cities, use them to ease into cruise life rather than overplanning.. we didn't have anything planned at any of ours tops.. it was marvelous!
Written by Mish from Flights & Feasting, a travel blog focused on immersive, experience-led travel for couples
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