After the great success of our previous cruises in Croatia, we are offering you two departure dates from Split this year. For this we have again chartered the luxurious MS Zeus exclusively for HolidayPride customers.
The MS Zeus is a beautiful and new luxury yacht with only 19 spacious cabins equipped with bathrooms and the most modern facilities. With up to 38 passengers on board, you will enjoy a unique, relaxed sailing experience in a friendly atmosphere.
The cruise weighs anchor in Split on 27 May and departs with a gay-friendly crew and HolidayPride accompaniment. Explore Croatia's picturesque islands and cultural cities on this southern itinerary and discover Split, Hvar, Trstenik, the Elaphites, Dubrovnik, Mljet National Park, Korçula and Pučišća.
The ship M/S Zeus *****
This recent and superior yacht (*****) made her first trip in the summer of 2020. Enjoy the beautiful views on the panoramic deck, the sun terrace with Jacuzzi or relax in the salon or lounge. There is free Wi-Fi on board for all passengers. The food on board is a mix of Mediterranean and international cuisine. In addition, you can also taste a number of typical Croatian dishes. Breakfast is served buffet style, lunch is a three-course menu. The dress code on board the ship is casual and comfortable.
All public areas, but also the cabins have a timeless and stylish design. The cabins are equipped with air conditioning, LCD TV, a safe, hairdryer, bathroom and have a large bed for two persons or twin beds. Bed linen and towels are provided, beach towels can be rented for € 7 per week.
Cabins
The modern and comfortable cabins are equipped with an LCD TV, a safe, hairdryer, bathroom and have a large bed for two persons or twin beds. They are spread over 2 decks, on the standard deck (14-16m²) and on the main deck (13-16m²) of which 1 cabin is on the captain's deck (14m²).
The cabins on the standard deck have 2 portholes, 1 in the cabin and 1 in the bathroom and are one floor below the cabins on the main deck.
The cabins on the main deck have 2 windows, 1 in the cabin and a smaller one in the bathroom.
Furthermore, there is no difference in comfort between the two categories.
Day 1: Split
If you have booked the cruise with a flight from Brussels, the rendezvous will be at Brussels Airport and your flight with Brussels Airlines to Split, departing at 12.10pm and arriving at 2.10pm. At Split airport, you will be welcomed by our cruise director followed by a short transfer by a private coach to the port to board the luxurious MS Zeus.
Embarkation is possible throughout the day. Passengers arriving in the morning will have access to their cabins from 1pm, but can also leave their luggage on board earlier. You can visit Split's historic center (Unesco World Heritage Site) on your own. This maze of narrow medieval streets full of restaurants and street cafés is very pleasant. In the evening, the welcome dinner is served, and the crew is introduced by the cruise director. The ship always docks in the heart of each city, so you can come and go as you please. Overnight in Split.
Day 2: Split > Jelsa (island of Hvar)
After breakfast, the ship sails to the island of Hvar, one of Croatia's most beautiful and famous islands and meeting point of the international jet set. Before lunch, the captain casts anchor in a sheltered bay for a refreshing swim stop. Just before lunch, HolidayPride offers a welcome cocktail where you can meet the captain, crew, and your fellow passengers. After lunch, we sail on to the island of Hvar, where we moor at the small port town of Jelsa in the central part of the island of Hvar. Short bus transfer to Hvar town and guided sightseeing with a local guide.
After sightseeing free time in Hvar and transfer back to the ship. The ship remains docked in the charming town of Jelsa throughout the evening and night.
Day 3: Jelsa > Trstenik (Peljesac)
After breakfast, it's time for a swimming stop in a beautiful bay and then we sail on to the beautiful bay of Trstenik. After lunch on board, we reach the picturesque village of Trstenik on the Pelješak peninsula. This part of Croatia is still little visited by tourists, which is a pity because this peninsula has so much beauty to offer. True gourmets can indulge themselves here. Peljesac is famous for its wine and oysters. There are more than 3,000 hectares of vineyards and olive groves on the Pelješac peninsula. Wine production goes way back to the time when it was introduced by the Greeks. The soil here is very fertile and well-exploited. Wine is therefore made all over the island. Optional visit to one of Croatia's most famous wine cellars, Vinarija Grgic. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely dinner in one of the many charming restaurants ashore. Free evening and overnight in Trstenik.
Day 4: Trstenik > Elafites islands > Dubrovnik
After breakfast, we sail past the beautiful Elafites, an archipelago with numerous uninhabited islets. Of course, a swimming stop is provided at this beautiful spot. Lunch on board. Shortly after noon we reach Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world (Unesco World Heritage Site). Tour the city with an experienced local guide, enjoying the breathtaking views of the old town. Afterwards, explore the many alleyways, shops, and terraces of the traffic-free city centre on your own. A walk along the centuries-old city walls is highly recommended. From here you can admire the city in all its facets. Overnight in Dubrovnik in the port of Gruž, 15 minutes by public transport from the old city centre.
Day 5: Dubrovnik > Mljet National Park>Korçula
After breakfast, we sail to Mljet National Park, a beautiful nature reserve and also the most forested island in the entire Adriatic. The journey is breathtaking, as you sail between dozens of beautiful islets. After a swimming stop and lunch on board, we arrive in Mljet. Visit the national park with the cruise director. Be sure to explore the salt lakes or take a walk through the beautiful Mediterranean forests. Particularly recommended is the islet "Saint Mary" in the middle of the island's large salt lake. Here you will find the remains of a Benedictine monastery from the 12th century. After the visit, we return on board and sail further to the island of Korçula. The capital of the same name is completely walled and surrounded by water. During the city tour with our local guide, you will discover the old Venetian-style palaces and the small house where Marco Polo is said to have been born. In the evening you will have time to dine freely in one of the many restaurants along the old city walls. Overnight stay in Korcula.
Day 6: Korçula > Pučišća (island of Brač)
After breakfast departure for Pučišća, en route a swimming stop in a beautiful bay. After lunch on board, we reach the picturesque village of Pučišća in the north of the island of Brač. Here you will find the authentic atmosphere of the Mediterranean and impressive architecture with white stone facades. Pučišća is then also known for its stone quarry. The special white stone found only here was used for the construction of the White House in Washington DC and the parliament building in Vienna, among others. As famous as the stone are Pučišća's stonemasons. They receive commissions all over the world to renovate historical buildings. For example, they have worked intensively for many years to build the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore the city on your own. Captain's dinner * on board, followed by a party. Overnight at anchor, weather permitting.
Day 7: Pučišća > Split
After breakfast, the MS Zeus departs for Split, the largest city in Dalmatia. The city has existed for more than 1,700 years and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. At the heart of the city is the perfectly preserved 'Palace of Diocletian', a Roman emperor who settled in Split in the 3rd century. Split has a rich cultural life with numerous museums, the National Theatre, centuries-old churches, and archaeological sites, but it is also particularly pleasant in the many restaurants and bars in the narrow streets of the medieval city centre. Guided city walk with our local guide and visit to Diocletian's Palace. Lunch on board. Free afternoon and evening. Overnight stay in Split.
Day 8: Split
After breakfast on board, set off again to explore Split. Highly recommended is the colourful market where most locals do their shopping every morning. Around noon, it is time to say goodbye to the MS Zeus. If you have booked the cruise with Brussels Airlines flights, transfer to the airport and depart at 2.55pm, arriving in Brussels at 5.05pm. Passengers with a later flight can leave their luggage on board until their departure.