Croatia Cruise Days 3 & 4
- Mish
- Mar 1
- 5 min read
Coastal Sailing, Hidden Towns & Our Favourite Day Yet!
By Cruise Day 3, we had well and truly settled into life onboard the Princess Eleganza - although if I’m honest, it felt like home from the moment we stepped on.
What these next two days gave us, though, was something even better: rhythm. We’d found our people, found our pace, and figured out exactly how we wanted to spend our time, a balance of slow mornings, scenic sailing, and just enough exploring to keep things interesting.
Cruise Day 3: Coastal Cruising & A First Look at Split
One of the things we quickly learned is that not every “highlight” day needs to be packed with activity. Cruise Day 3 was quieter, but in the best possible way.
The weather was warm and beautiful, but the winds meant our planned swim stops weren’t possible. At first, that felt like we might be missing out… but in reality, it gave us something else entirely: uninterrupted sailing along the Croatian coastline.
And it was stunning.
We spent the morning exactly how we’d hoped this cruise would feel. Watching the scenery slowly shift from our panoramic cabin windows, drifting up to the sun deck for an Aperol spritz, then back to the room for an afternoon nap with the blinds wide open so we didn’t miss a thing.
From our experience, this is where a cabin upgrade really paid off. The ability to retreat into your own space without disconnecting from the journey made all the difference.
A Hidden Stop: Pučišća
Instead of a swim stop, we pulled into the tiny coastal town of Pučišća, the kind of place you’d likely never see without being on a smaller ship. It was quiet, local, and completely unpolished in the best way.
There was a small, rocky beach (we quickly learned this is where reef shoes would have come in handy), a handful of shops, and a relaxed, unhurried energy. Ash and I skipped the swim and opted instead for a wander through the town, finishing with a sneaky afternoon beer at an outdoor bar.
Simple, easy, and exactly what we felt like. Moments like this really highlighted one of the biggest advantages of small-ship cruising - access to places that larger ships simply can’t reach.
Arrival in Split: Effortless Energy
By late afternoon, we arrived in Split, docking right along the waterfront and when I say close, I mean right there. Watching the promenade from our cabin window felt surreal.
We started with a guided walking tour through the Old Town (included as part of the cruise), which was the perfect way to get our bearings. In under an hour, we had a sense of the layout, the history, and where we wanted to explore further.
Split immediately felt different to Dubrovnik.
Still beautiful, with the same polished stone streets and historic architecture, but less crowded, more breathable, and with a distinctly stylish edge. Everyone seemed effortlessly well-dressed, and for once, we fully leaned into it.
Split was our excuse to wear our matching Camilla outfits - a bold, slightly extra Australian designer moment that somehow felt perfectly at home here. The evening itself was low-key. We wandered the winding streets, found great ice cream, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of people-watching along the waterfront.
Cruise Day 4: Cold Water, Big Energy & Our Favourite Day So Far
Day 4 started early - but for once, we didn’t mind. The weather had shifted, and this time, everything aligned for our first swim stop! We anchored in a quiet, secluded cove, with nothing else in sight. No crowds, no noise just impossibly clear water and rugged coastline.
And yes… it was freezing.
That sharp, breath-stealing cold that makes you question your life choices for about three seconds and then suddenly you’re in, laughing, wide awake, and completely loving it.
The water was crystal clear, the setting felt almost private, and thanks to one of our fellow passengers (and his drone), we now have some incredible aerial shots capturing just how special the spot was. (Although Ash is still not over the fact he wasn’t allowed to jump off the side of the ship.)
Krka National Park:
From there, we continued to Šibenik, where we boarded a coach to visit Krka National Park.
Even the drive was beautiful - winding roads, changing landscapes, and that feeling of seeing a different side of Croatia beyond the coastline.
The waterfalls themselves were stunning. Standing at the base, looking up at the cascading falls, felt peaceful and expansive, a completely different experience from the coastal towns.
If you’re considering whether this is worth doing, from our experience, it absolutely is.
A Night to Remember Onboard
That evening, we stayed onboard for dinner and it turned out to be one of the most fun nights of the trip. Our chef prepared a Croatian-style barbecue, which already felt like a treat, but the real highlight was what came after. Our Cruise Director, Nora, hosted a quiz night (we lost, for the record), which quickly dissolved into something far more chaotic and entertaining. What started as a quiz turned into dancing, singing, and full-blown karaoke on the back deck.
By this point, everyone knew each other. The social dynamic had shifted from polite conversation to genuine connection, and the energy reflected that. It was messy, loud, and completely unplanned and we loved every second.
Why Day 4 Was Our Favourite (So Far)
If we had to choose, Day 4 was the standout.
A swim in a secluded cove, a national park visit, an incredible onboard dinner, and a night of laughter with people we’d only met days earlier - it was everything we love about travel wrapped into one day. This is why we do it.
By the End of Day 4
By the end of Day 4, we felt completely settled. Relaxed, in rhythm, and fully immersed in cruise life. We’d found our people, found our pace, and started to understand what makes this style of travel so special, not just the destinations, but the in-between moments too.
And with more islands, towns, and experiences still ahead, it felt like we were only just getting started.
We aren's even half way through and we're having the times of our lives, next up we discover Zadar, join us then.
xx Mish
Written by Mish from Flights & Feasting, a travel blog focused on immersive, experience-led travel for couples
Practical Tips from Cruise Days 3–4
Be flexible with swim stops - weather can change plans, but the alternatives are often just as rewarding.
Pack reef shoes - many Croatian beaches are rocky, not sandy.
Don’t underestimate cold water - swim stops are refreshing, but definitely brisk!
Use included walking tours - they’re a great way to orient yourself without overplanning.
Dress up a little - European coastal towns (especially Split) have a stylish edge, and it’s part of the fun.
Embrace smaller ports - places like Pučišća are often the most memorable precisely because they’re unexpected.
Balance your time - some of the best moments happen onboard, not just in port.
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