JUST THREE CABINS REMAINING  -  2 X Lower Deck and 1 x Upper Deck

It’s only once every few years that we are able to get space on this amazing cruise. Yes, teher are any number of cruise ships plying the Med and the Islands of Croatia but there are very few that can get into the small, unspoilt islands, as well as the more popular ports. Almost always, the “Belle de l’Adriatique” can sail straight into the port and it is a rare occasion that anyone needs to board a tender.

This ship is more like a private yacht! It’s not 5*; it could probably be rated as 4*. That has never put our customers of, though, as we have many who return every time we get some space.

Our cruise starts in Dubrovnik, where we have the opportunity to join a carefree excursion to some of the local islands, where we can swim, have a picnic and enjoy a few glasses of wine or beer. As you can see from the chart here, we have a number of great ports of call, where you can join excursions or simply do your own thing and enjoy the local vibe.



Our holiday, as an extra, includes one overnight on a room-only basis at the Premier Inn at Dublin Airport. After that, almost everything is included. Have a look at the Website to get all the information.

18 July Dep. Dublin 07.35am   Arr. Dubrovnik  12.00 noon

25 July Dep. Dubrovnik 12.50pm     Arr. Dublin 2.35pm

Fares: £2285 based on sharing Lower Deck twin/double

           Please check website for upgrades.

Sorry, but we have no single cabins left.oin us, please do not delay.

Phone today or email me by clicking here.

DAY 1 DUBLIN - DUBROVNIK

At time of writing, the flight schedules for 2024 have not been set but, based on 2023, we hope that the outbound flight will be early evening from Dublin. Arrive Dubrovnik and transfer to the hotel, right beside the port. Due to the flight time, an evening meal has not been included.

DAY 2 DUBROVNIK

Check out of the hotel and leave your luggage at Reception. You have an opportunity to relax around the area of the hotel or join us on an optional excursion of Dubrovnik Old City. Free time in the afternoon.

Check-in on the ship does not commence until 5.00pm,  Settle into your cabin. Presentation of the crew followed by a welcome cocktail served in the lounge and dinner on board. Free evening.

DAY 3 DUBROVNIK - MLJET

Breakfast on board. In the morning, optional guided tour of the city of Dubrovnik.  You will be able to explore: the Franciscan monastery (14th century), followed by the Rector’s palace, once the seat of government, now converted into a museum and, finally, the cathedral on Marin Drzic square. Your tour will also take you past the two Onofrio Fountains (1438 and 1441) in front of the church of St Blaise (18th century) and the Sponza palace, a superb edifice which mixes the Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Alternative optional excursion with your host, Alan. “Three Islands”. Enjoy a trip around the islands close to Dubrovnik with swimming and lunch. This has been one of our most popular trips in the past. Back on board for the evening. Dinner followed by an evening of dancing. Departure of the cruise around 7.00pm (subject to change).

DAY 4 MLJET - KORCULA

Breakfast during the cruise. Arrival in Mljet around 9.00am. Situated between the island of Korcula and Dubrovnik, this is one of the most beautiful islands in the Adriatic. Optional excursion: departure on foot to board local boats to get to the monastery. The particularity of the island lies in its two lakes: Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero. A Benedictine monastery rises on an islet in the middle of Veliko Jezero. Built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style and reworked many times over time, it is now dressed up in Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Back on board at the end of the morning. During lunch, cruise to Korcula. Arrival around 2.00pm. Optional guided tour of the town. You can only explore this town on foot. You will visit St Mark’s cathedral (1420), testimony to the skill of the stone cutters and the talent of the sculptors of the period. You will see its sumptuous doorway flanked by two lions, a work by the Milanese artist, Bonino, and in the lunette Saint Mark the evangelist, the town’s museum which houses ancient Greek and Roman artefacts, the icon museum.

Alternatively, you can just enjoy free time in Korcula. Back on board for the evening. Dinner on board, followed by a traditional “sabre dancing” evening.

DAY 5 KORCULA - SIBENIK

Departure early in the morning. Breakfast during the cruise. Morning’s sailing through an exceptional landscape. We will pass the islands of Hvar &, Brac and then the city of Split. Lunch on board. We will reach Sibenik around 2.00pm.

Optional guided tour of the town and the Krka falls. During this visit you will discover the cultural heritage as well as the present day life of the oldest Slav settlement in the Adriatic. You will visit its historic centre with its maze of narrow streets from the 15th and 16th centuries and St James’ cathedral build entirely of stone. You will then board your coach which will take you to the Krka falls. The Krka flows for 75km from its spectacular source near Knin to the Adriatic which it reaches at Sibenik. The Krka widens and forms a lake before narrowing again at Skradinski Buk. It is here that the site is at its most beautiful: the water cascades over 17 travertine shelves which succeed each other over a short distance. Back on board for dinner and an evening with the crew.

DAY 6 SIBENIK - TROGIR - SPLIT

Departure of the cruise early in the morning, breakfast on board. Arrival in Trogir around 8.00am. Optional tour of the town. Built on the island it covers, Trogir is a little jewel with narrow labyrinthine street scattered with stairways and vaulted passageways. The town has been classed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. You will discover the superb St Laurence cathedral (13th century). Back on board at the end of the morning. Sail to Split. We will be sailing along the Dalmatian coast, arrival in Split around 3.00pm. The second largest city in Croatia, it is the heart of central Dalmatia. Split, first of all, is the palace that Diocletian had built outside the city of Salona. It is a medieval city which surrounded the palace and developed all around. Optional tour of the city which will take you to the Titova Obala, a vast walkway overlooked by the southern façade of the palace. From the Roman period of Diocletian’s palace, all that remain are the relatively well conserved ramparts, and Diocletian’s mausoleum, which was converted into a cathedral towards the end of the 7th century, to which a bell tower was added between the 13th and 17th centuries. The visit will allow you to see the peristyle, Jupiter’s temple and Saint Domnius’ cathedral. The ancient mausoleum of Diocletian has kept its original structure surrounded by 24 columns. Back on board at the end of the day. Dinner on board. Free evening.

DAY 7 SPLIT - HVAR - VIS

Departure of the cruise early in the morning. Breakfast on board. We will reach Hvar around 9.00am. Optional guided tour of the town which will begin on the main square, Trg Svetog Stjepana. This is one of the biggest and oldest squares in Dalmatia. A must see is St Stephen’s cathedral with its bell tower. This edifice was built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the foundations of an earlier cathedral destroyed by the Turks. Passing along the port, we will continue to the Franciscan monastery dating from the 15th century. The visit will allow you to explore its cloister and its refectory, where there is an exhibit of lace, coins, maritime charts and rare books. Back on board for lunch and departure of the cruise for Vis, which we will reach in the afternoon. The most westerly of the Dalmatian islands and the least known, as it was for a long time closed to tourists, is a pearl which really has to be seen: unspoilt landscapes, a rugged coastline sheltering numerous creeks and coves, in a word the most authentic island in the entire Adriatic. Freedom to explore the town, founded by the Greeks in 390 BC under the name of Issa at the end of an immense bay. Back on board for the gala dinner, followed by an evening of dancing. Departure of the boat during the night for Kotor.

DAY 8 KOTOR - DUBROVNIK

Breakfast during the cruise. Arrival in Kotor during the morning. The Kotor estuary is quite unique: the sea sweeps in for several kilometres, forming a number of calm bays which were once furrowed by a powerful naval force which made some ports extremely wealthy. The abundant rainfall and the temperate climate in this fjord-like bay explain the luxuriance of the vegetation. Lunch. Optional guided tour of Kotor. Exploration of the old town on foot. You will visit Saint Tryphon cathedral, built in the 9th century after sailors from Kotor brought back the relics of Saint Tryphon from Asia Minor, and the maritime museum. Back on board around 4.00pm and departure of the cruise for Dubrovnik, which we will reach in the evening. Dinner on board. Free evening.

DAY 9 DUBROVNIK

Breakfast on board. Disembarkation at 9.00am. End of our journey. We will depart for the airport approximately three hours pre-flight.

NB: For reasons of navigational safety, the captain and crew of the boat alone may decide to modify the cruise itinerary. Alternative port visits may need to be offered.

LA BELLE DE L’ADRIATIQUE

La Belle de l'Adriatique, a 198-passenger oceangoing vessel, was purpose-built for coastal cruises and sails on itineraries to the Croatian islands and Montenegro.

If you are looking for a modern, luxury cruise liner, this cruise is definitely not for you. If, on the other hand, you are seeking an intimate. almost yacht-like experience on a ship with lots of atmosphere and charm, then you have maybe found your ideal holiday. La Belle de l'Adriatique is not a new ship; she is, however, comfortable and provides an ideal base for touring the Croatian Islands. This is our fifth time offering this cruise and we have always had positive comments from our customers. Just don't expect the Queen Mary!
 
The ship has a cosy atmosphere with a small lounge and outdoor terrace on the upper deck. The main panoramic lounge, with a dance floor and bar, is situated forward on the reception deck, and the dining room is found aft on the main deck. Like its river cruise cousins, La Belle de l'Adriatique prides itself on its French heritage, which is reflected in the cuisine, with a choice of other international dishes available. Complimentary wine, beer, fruit juice, water and coffee are served throughout your cruise. 
 
There are two whirlpools on the sun deck, and other amenities include a library, nursery, gift shop and elevator.

Cabins

The cabins are spread across the four main decks. The majority are twins that can be configured as doubles.  All have en-suite facilities, although these are "modest" in size, to say the least.


Staterooms on the upper and reception decks have large windows, and the two lower decks' cabins have portholes. There are no balcony cabins. All staterooms are equipped with showers and toilets, hair dryers, satellite TV, radios and safes.

Cabin size  -  151 sq. ft.

Upper Deck   29 Cabins - with large windows

Reception Deck  22 Cabins - with large windows

Main Deck  25 Cabins  -  with portholes

Lower Deck   24 Cabins  - with portholes

Equipment: all cabins are equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe.

Supplements for cabin upgrades

Lower Deck – Cabin with porthole –       NIL

Main Deck – Cabin with porthole –   £170 pp

Reception Deck

– Cabin with picture window –         £275 pp

Upper Deck

– Cabin with picture window –            £350 pp

NOTES

1.           There are a range of excursions offered during this cruise, as detailed in the itinerary. Choose any three of these at no extra cost. Should you wish to go on more, simply pay for them before you go. We will update the information on this webpage in due course.

2.           Croisieurope offer a fixed three course menu for lunch and dinner, with a choice of main course options. The food is of the highest quality but sometimes a particular course may not appeal to you. The menu is on display from early morning and you may ask your waiter if he/she can arrange something else for you. You must do this at breakfast time, or an alternative may not be available.

3.           Unlimited drinks, alcoholic and otherwise, are available throughout your cruise. The offer includes beers, spirits, soft drinks, teas & coffees, bottled water and a selection of fine house wines but excludes those from the wine list.

4.          Gratuities are included aboard the ship but, if you feel you have received exceptional service, please feel free to put something into the unmarked envelope, which will be left in your cabin towards the end of the cruise. Gratuities for tour guides, etc. are not included and a small contribution would be appreciated.

5.           “Accessibility” Whilst the “MV Belle de l’Adriatique” offers one fully-accessible cabin for those who require wheelchair access, our experience shows that this cruise is not ideal for those with limited mobility. Berthing is often via steep ramps, possibly steps, and we may also need to cross through another vessel, often involving steep steps. We would endeavour to ensure you get the maximum from a cruise but cannot guarantee you will be able to get off at each and every port. You must also have a carer with you, who is able to manage every aspect of operating and pushing the wheelchair, your luggage, etc. Neither our representatives nor the crew of the ship can be called upon to assist, as we are not insured for it.