The Adriatic week: down the Dalmatian coast past Dubrovnik's walls, into the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, and across to the Greek islands. The sail-ins alone are worth the fare.
The route at a glance
Seven nights, usually roundtrip from the Venice area. Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas sails from Ravenna with scenic cruising in the Bay of Kotor, a Kotor call and Athens (Piraeus); MSC Armonia runs roundtrip from Split to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Kotor and Brindisi. Luxury one-ways do the full arc: Viking's Athens-to-Venice (Chioggia) week strings Katakolon, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split together. Port guides: Corfu, Athens (Piraeus), Santorini. Dubrovnik and Kotor old towns are both walkable straight from tender or pier.
Who this route suits
Best for repeat Med cruisers who have done Barcelona-Rome, scenery lovers (the Bay of Kotor sail-in is the Adriatic's signature hour) and history travelers; Dubrovnik, Kotor and Split are compact and easy independently. Less ideal in peak August, when Dubrovnik's old town is at its most crowded; May, June and September are kinder. If your week must include Santorini and Mykonos, the eastern Mediterranean route is the one.
What it costs
MSC Armonia's 2027 Split roundtrips start from £959 per person cruise-only, and mainstream seven-night Adriatic fares typically sit in the $800-1,300 band. Viking's inclusive Athens-to-Venice week lists from $6,799, a different product with excursions and drinks bundled. Full budget breakdown for the Croatian side: what a Dalmatian Coast cruise costs.
The five-minute version
- Seven nights, roundtrip Ravenna or Split, or one-way Athens to Venice.
- Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Split; Bay of Kotor sail-in.
- Walkable old towns; easy without ship excursions.
- Mainstream from about £960 cruise-only; luxury one-ways from $6,799.
- The pick for repeat Med cruisers.
- Dubrovnik's cable car runs from just above the old town to Mount Srd; the official site (dubrovnikcablecar.com) posts prices and timetable - ride early before the tour groups.