Sailing Week vs Small-Ship Cruise in Croatia

Both options explore the Dalmatian coast from the water, and many itineraries touch the same places: Split, Hvar, Brač, Vis, Korčula and the long road down to Dubrovnik. The difference is in the vessel, the number of people aboard and how the days unfold.

Small-ship cruises in Croatia typically use motor vessels carrying a few dozen guests, with a crew that runs the ship, cooks and serves meals. A sailing week uses a sailing yacht, usually a monohull or catamaran, with a small group sharing the boat and a skipper in charge.

On a sailing yacht, the day revolves around the wind and the water. A typical day might start with coffee in the cockpit, a few hours of sailing, a lunch stop in a quiet bay with a swim, and an evening in a harbour town or at anchor. You share a cockpit, saloon and deck with a small group, so the atmosphere is sociable and informal. You can help sail, take the helm or do nothing at all. Read about a typical day on a sailing week.

On a small cruise ship, the routine is more structured. Meals are served at set times in a dining room, there may be a sun deck, a bar and organised excursions, and the vessel usually motors between ports while guests relax. You are a passenger rather than part of the crew.

Cruise ship cabins are usually private rooms with their own bathroom, more storage and steady air conditioning. Public areas are larger, and the ship moves less in a swell.

Yacht cabins are compact, with a double or twin berth and limited storage, and bathrooms may be shared depending on the layout. Power, fresh water and wifi are more limited than on a larger vessel. Our guides to cabins, bathrooms and space on board and water, power and wifi on a yacht explain what to expect.

A small cruise ship follows a published itinerary, with set ports and times. That suits travellers who want to know exactly where they will be each day. Larger vessels generally need bigger harbours and spend less time in small bays.

A yacht can slip into anchorages and small harbours that larger ships cannot use, and the skipper can adjust the route day by day to find shelter from the wind or a calmer swimming spot. The trade-off is that the plan can change. Weather always has the final say on a sailing trip; read how weather and route changes are handled.

When comparing trips, look at the actual itinerary and the time you get ashore in each place, rather than the number of stops advertised.

Inclusions vary widely, so read each offer line by line. Things to check:

• meals and which ones are included
• drinks, and whether there is a bar tab or a shared kitty
• excursions and guided tours
• fuel, marina and harbour fees
• tourist tax and park entry fees
• transfers to and from the port
• bedding, towels and final cleaning
• crew tips and how they are handled

For a sailing week, see dates and prices for what your trip covers, and our guide to the cost of a sailing holiday for the costs to budget for.

A sailing week tends to suit people who:

• want to swim, snorkel and spend most of the day outdoors
• enjoy a small, sociable group
• like the idea of sailing, or learning to
• are happy with compact cabins and a flexible plan

A small-ship cruise tends to suit people who:

• want a private cabin with its own bathroom and more space
• prefer set meal times, organised excursions and a fixed itinerary
• would rather not take part in running the vessel
• are travelling with someone who has limited mobility (larger vessels often have easier access, though you should check)

If you are unsure, our guide to your first sailing trip explains what life on a yacht is like for beginners.