07 Feb 2024

Croatian Coastal Cruising - Split to Dubrovnik (Aurora)

ZSSD

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2024

Navigate the gorgeous coastline of Croatia in both style and comfort on this small-ship adventure cruise from Split to Dubrovnik. Soak up the sun, sea and salty sea breeze as you sail through the azure waters of the Adriatic, experiencing impressive islands, meandering rivers, stunning beaches and historic towns. Begin by exploring the ancient city of Split and walking through colourful Brac, before setting sail southbound. Drop an anchor in Hvar and indulge in the glitz and glamour of this chic island, venture up the River Neretva and discover the beautiful town of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, wander through the romantic old town of Korcula and enjoy tastings at a local winery, then dock in the stunning walled city of Dubrovnik. Combine a healthy dose of cuisine and culture with a beautifully designed ship, and you have the perfect way to explore the Croatian coast.

Comfort

Adventure Cruising

Small cruise ship,Boat,Minibus

2

No particular level of physical fitness is required for our adventure cruises, although you should have a good level of mobility and enjoy good health. We do ask that you read through the trip notes to ensure that this trip is right for you. Please keep in mind that there are a number of shore excursions offered on your voyage. Some are walking tours and may involve a reasonable amount of walking over varied and sometimes slippery terrain. We recommend you bring a good pair of walking shoes or boots, carry a water bottle and don’t forget the sunscreen and hat. Depending on the excursion, disembarking the ship may be by tender or onto a dock. Some snorkelling equipment is provided on board. To snorkel, we request that you consider your fitness level and your confidence in the water before taking part.

Port of Split

Obala kneza Domagoja, 21000

Split

CROATIA

The Aurora will be docked in the Ferry port, across the street from the bus station. There will be many similar boats in that area, and the exact location of the Aurora can change with each departure. The Aurora will have a white Intrepid flag with a red logo on the boat and a red flag in front of the boat. Please look out for your Intrepid leader wearing an Intrepid branded t-shirt. The crew will be waiting to welcome you onboard. If you have pre booked an arrival transfer from Split Airport (SPU), your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations, flight changes, severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +385 95 550 0014 or please call the Intrepid emergency phone number +49 8024 4679 540

Dubrovnik Port

Batahovina ulica 1962

Sustjepan

Dubrovnik

CROATIA

If you have pre-booked a transfer from the port to the airport or port to hotel, at the end of your voyage, your leader will be on hand to advise you when and where to meet your transfer driver. This can change depending on the final docking place. If you have booked additional hotel accommodation with us and a transfer from the hotel to the airport, you will be collected from the hotel reception 3.5 hours before your flight departure time. In case of flight cancellations, changes or if you are not able find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on + 385 95 550 0014 or the Intrepid emergency phone number + 49 8024 4679 540 If you have not pre- booked a departure transfer, Taxi/uber will cost you approximately 70-80 Euros from the port to the airport. The journey will take approximately 35-40 minutes. A taxi/uber will cost approximately 15-20 Euros from the port to a hotel in Dubrovnik.

This trip will be onboard the M/S Aurora. It has 18 cabins with private ensuites and can accommodate up to 36 customers COMPLIMENTARY ARRIVAL TRANSFER A complimentary arrival transfer is included from Split Airport to the Port of Split on day one of this trip or from the airport to the hotel if you have booked pre tour accommodation with us. Please provide your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival so as we can organise this transfer for you. PASSPORT DETAILS Please provide your passport details at time of booking. It is essential we receive these details at least 14 days prior to departure as we must provide them to the Port authorities in order to comply with Maritime regulations. SINGLE TRAVELLERS Single travellers will share a twin cabin with another traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer not to share, a single cabin supplement is available at an additional charge. A single passenger cannot be booked or confirmed in a double cabin (with a double bed) unless a single supplement is paid.

On your voyage, as well as the ship and hospitality crew, there will be between 1 and 3 local tour leaders (depending on the total number of passengers). These leaders will be with you on board the ship, and on all included shore activities. They will have good general knowledge of the areas you are passing through including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects, as well as being able to recommend great local eating venues for your on shore meals and what you might like to do with your free time (when you're not relaxing and enjoying the ship's facilities).

Travelling in and around Croatia should be relatively trouble-free; however, as is the case anywhere else in the world, there is always the chance of petty theft. Please take great care of your passport, cash, and other valuables. Each cabin on board has a safe and we urge you to use it. When out and about, do not carry more cash than required. Keep a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport, visas and air tickets - separate from the original documents. It is also worth remembering that throughout most of Europe, theoretically, it is illegal to be on the streets without an official ID card or passport - carry a copy with you. Please don't pack valuables such as cameras in your suitcase. It is a better idea to carry them with you as hand luggage.

Wifi is available on board free of charge. The coverage can be intermittent and unreliable in some locations. On shore, you should find fast, free wifi available in cafes or restaurants.

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Tick another country off your bucket list as you sail up the spectacular Neretva River in a traditional wooden boat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Taste some local olive oil at the local museum in Brac – the longest island in central Dalmatia – before exploring this gorgeous island at your own pace.

Explore the beautiful town of Mostar – check out the town’s iconic bridge and see how traditional Bosnian coffee is made followed by a sample of this delicious brew.

Spend more time exploring the beautiful Croatian coast and less time on the ship with plenty of port stops and offshore activities.

Drop anchor in the middle of port towns like Hvar or Korcula and explore straight off the boat – one of the many benefits of small-ship cruising.

This is a small ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with up to 35 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available onboard. Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. Unlike other ships that cruise through the night, we’ll spend our evenings docked at port. This will give you more time to dine ashore and enjoy those balmy Croatian evenings. Cruising will mostly take place during the day. Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground, sometimes in hot conditions. If you have any concerns, please speak to your group leader before taking part. If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets on-board. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort. There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.

GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements.  There is no doctor on board for this voyage. In case of an emergency, some crew members are trained to offer basic first aid. Medical care is available in all ports we visit and our voyages are mostly cruising around coastal waters meaning we are never far from a port. As we are mostly cruising in coastal waters, we should not regularly encounter rough waters. However, if you know you are prone to sea sickness, please ensure you bring with you appropriate medication. You must also bring with you any general medicines you may need such as pain relief along with any prescribed medications you take. A general first aid kit is also a good idea. If you are feeling unwell, please let a member of the crew know. Travelling on a boat means that everyone is sharing the same common areas and illness can spread very quickly to your fellow travellers.

While travelling in Croatia you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in this region. Meals on board are made by our on board chef using fresh local produce. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try on your trip during your free time. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though. On board, we are able to cater for most special dietary requirements. Please advise any special dietary needs at least 4 weeks in advance of travel.

When it comes to money matters on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget a sensible amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, tipping and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need. Also make sure you’ve read your trip details thoroughly so you know what’s included in the trip price and what isn’t. This should make budgeting a little easier. You’ll find this info in the Inclusions section of your Essential Trip Information (that’s this document). ON BOARD ACCOUNT An account will be opened for your cabin for purchases aboard the Aurora. This will include bar purchases onboard. The boat currently on accepts payment by cash to settle your onboard account. It is also wise to travel with sufficient cash (in local currency) to pay for incidentals on your last day such as taxis and tipping for your crew and leader. TIPPING If you're happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid destinations. If you are happy with the services received, EUR3 per passenger per day for your tour leader is an appropriate amount. For all other services from your crew who will take care of you onboard EUR7 per passenger per day is an appropriate amount. Most of our voyages are half board, so breakfast, and at least one other meal daily will be included whilst on board the ship. This leaves plenty of opportunities for you to go out and explore local cuisines on shore for the remaining meals. Please ensure you have read the Essential Trip Information carefully and have budgeted for meals not included. CONTINGENCY FUNDS We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. CURRENCY As of 1 January 2023, the official currency of Croatia is the Euro.

Please travel as lightly as possible so as not to restrict space in your cabin. Soft bags are more practical than hard suitcases. The dress code on board ship is casual. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the Captain's dinner such as a collar shirt or sundress but as a rule, neat casual will suffice. Swimming will be offered so swimwear is essential. Below is a suggested general packing list. Daypack (a smaller back pack that you can take with you on shore excursions) Comfortable clothing for warmer temperatures [shorts, t-shirts, light long sleeved tops and pants] A sweater or jacket for the cooler evenings or early mornings A light rain coat or poncho Comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions Sandals or thongs/flip flops/jandals Sunscreen [bio degradable and waterproof if available] and lip balm [to combat the effects of wind burn] Sunglasses Sunhat [that can be secured as it can get windy out on the water] Swimming costume Water bottle Bio-degradable shampoo, conditioner and soap Pegs [so you can hang your swimming costume or towel out to dry] Insect repellent European adaptor/electrical plug Camera *** Beach towels and snorkelling equipment are provided on board ***

Summer temperatures can be extreme in Croatia and have been known to reach 40°C. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water.

We like to think our Intrepid travellers are all connected by a love of adventure and passion for seeing the world in a different way. We've laid down a few non-negotiable rules to ensure everyone feels connected, comfortable and safe on our trips. We ask that you respect your fellow travellers, group leader or local representative, and local people and places we visit in all circumstances. We don't tolerate any forms of violence and expect that you follow the local laws, customs and regulations in any destination we travel to. Any behaviour contrary to the above, including any behaviour that prevents our staff from performing their duty of care or continuing the itinerary as planned, may result in travellers being removed from the trip. If you consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect you to abide by local alcohol laws. To ensure the well-being of everyone on the trip, all decisions made by group leaders or local representatives and ground staff are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip. By travelling with us, you agree to comply with these rules and the laws and customs of all countries visited. If something is concerning you during your travels with us, please speak to your group leader or local representative immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in your Essential Trip Information’s Problems and Emergency Contact section.

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

Intrepid 's Local office: +49 8024 4679 540

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip group leaders or local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel

We created our not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation because you – our travellers – told us you wanted to make an even greater impact in the communities you visit. The Foundation works by teaming up with partners around the world so that together we can deliver greater positive impact at scale. Partners are identified by our local staff who live and work in our destinations. They harness their powerful community connections to determine the issues that matter most and select local partners who can deliver real solutions. Since 2002, the Intrepid Foundation has raised more than $14million dollars and supported more than 160 communities worldwide. Now, with over 40 partners all over the world, your donations are helping to restore forests in Kenya, empower women in Honduras and promote elephant welfare in Laos, to name just a few. For more information about the Intrepid Foundation, please ask your group leader or local representative or visit our website: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/ This trip supports Humana Zagreb, who provide job opportunities and education programs in sustainable fashion and textiles for people with disabilities. Donations fund educational programs run by Humana employees with disabilities. These programs teach school children about the issues of fast fashion, the importance of reusing and recycling clothes, and the barriers that people with disabilities face when searching for employment. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation. To find out more or make a donation, visit https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/t/humana-zagreb

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below:

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure. Single travellers on this voyage can be matched with a passenger of the same gender in a twin cabin. If you wish to have a cabin to yourself, this can be arranged with the payment of a single supplement and is possible in any cabin category. Pre and post voyage accommodation will always be on a single basis for solo travellers. Your group will be a mixture of fellow passengers from all corners of the world who will be internationally like-minded and enjoy travel.

Travelling by sea is a fantastic way to explore, but it brings some challenges when weather conditions are not ideal. The itinerary may be subject to change, based on winds and sea conditions which may render anchorage and landing at some stops difficult. We reserve the right to change the itinerary for the safety of passengers and the ship. Shore excursions are subject to shore and weather conditions and are based on a minimum participation. Each days' schedule will be posted by the cruise co-ordinator listing necessary information such as arrival/departure times, meal times, days activities and other information. This is given as a guideline and is subject to change.

Small cruise ship (7 nights)