Experience the views of the Adriatic coastlines from land and sea with a luxury cruise with Seabourn Cruises. The Gems of the Adriatic itinerary allows you to enjoy one-of-a-kind, luxury service while you sail the waters of the northern arm of the Mediterranean.
Visit the sun-soaked shores of charming ports in Italy, Greece, and Croatia as you take in the sights of medieval cities straight out of a Mediterranean fairytale. You will enjoy history and culture with smaller crowds. Seabourn’s smaller luxury cruise ships take you to smaller ports that larger ships would not be able to navigate, providing a unique itinerary.
One of our CAA Travel Store Managers, Christine Corrigan, travelled aboard Seabourn Cruises Gems of the Adriatic for an unforgettable journey and shared her experience, which she described as a refreshing luxury trip.
How would you describe Seabourn Cruises?
Seabourn offers breathtaking scenery coupled with a hassle-free, luxury cruising experience, where you’ll come back refreshed and renewed.
The small staff to guest ratio means they remember you and add a personal touch whenever they can. I loved talking to all of them and getting to know something about them too.
Plus, Seabourn offers the freedom to cruise how you want to. If the price is the deterring factor, you must remember that everything is included (except spa treatments).
You don’t have to show a card to get beverages or meals. There is no need to calculate the total of how much you spent on drinks, as it’s all included. Not sure what time you want to eat today? No problem, the dining room has open seating. You’re not locked into a specific time or table, and you get to decide if you want to dine alone, or with guests. Seabourn is all about choice.
What makes Seabourn Cruises unique?
One of the best things about Seabourn Cruises is the small ships. The small ship size also meant the boat could travel to smaller ports off the beaten path that weren’t overwhelmed with tourists. Inside, it has cozy spaces, great for socializing (or finding a private niche, as you prefer).
Another unique thing about the cruise company is its commitment to environmental excellence, which they demonstrate daily. It was also nice to see they had won an award for it. Their water bottle reusable water bottle program was a personal highlight. They are committed to a luxury experience but doing it in an environmentally conscious way. The water bottles offered were filled every day. Once you were finished with the bottle, you either left it in your room or at the gangplank, and they were washed and refilled to be used again.
Where did you visit?
I visited Croatia, which has all the beauty, history and culture of more mainstream parts of Europe without the crowds!
One highlight was Hvar, a small port is where Croatia’s rich and famous go to get away from it all. The history of the town was very interesting, and the water in the bay was so crystal clear the boats looked as though they were floating in the air.
To the left of the dock was a beautiful park that overlooked the crystal-clear waters and featured many native plants. All this natural beauty is set to the backdrop of a beautiful medieval village.
Hvar is an island of Croatia, and without the agility of the smaller luxury cruise ship, I might never have seen this gem. This was also where we got our first taste of the Croatian Burek. If I could, I would want to go back to this island and spend more time exploring and getting to know the people.
I also explored Opatija, a charming port town with architectural influences from the Napoleanic era. It had a completely different feel than the other Croatian ports and is a popular resort destination. The town’s sidewalks are painted yellow, just like the yellow brick road in The Wizard Of Oz. While visiting, you don’t want to miss the Opatija wall of fame.
I also got to purchase Hot Burek’s fresh out of the oven. The crispy outside of phyllo that transforms into buttery layers of pastry and melts into the rubbery cheese that fills the spiral is what snack dreams are made of.
Did the cruise live up to the hype?
Absolutely! While on board, we were left to discover Seabourn’s luxury, we were treated like royalty onboard. The staff when above and beyond to ensure our every need was met and that every aspect of the holiday was memorable. It was phenomenal from beginning to end.
Bon voyage
Ready to book your Gems of the Adriatic cruise with Seaborn cruises? Contact a CAA Travel Consultant today to book your trip.