Dubrovnik recorded 1,554 calls by small cruise ships flying the Croatian flag in the first nine months of 2026, carrying nearly 42,000 passengers.

Small cruise ships are one of Croatia’s most distinctive tourism products, offering a unique way to explore the country’s coastline and islands. This type of cruising attracts guests from the USA, the UK, Australia and other international markets.

With its highly indented coastline, numerous islands and short distances between ports, the Adriatic is ideally suited to this type of tourism. Unlike large cruise ships, small vessels can dock close to the historic centres of Hvar, Korčula and Vis, while also reaching hidden coves and smaller islands, alongside major destinations such as Split and Dubrovnik.

The fleet of small cruise ships is largely a home-grown Croatian product. The vessels are built in Croatian shipyards, while their owners are predominantly family-run companies and local operators, many of them based in the Dalmatian village of Krilo Jesenice. Captains and crew members are also predominantly local, providing guests with an authentic experience and a high level of personalised service. With a capacity of around 30 to 40 guests, these vessels also place significantly less pressure on the local infrastructure of the destinations they visit.

Experts point out that Croatia, with its unique position in the Mediterranean, is the only country to have developed such a large and well-organised fleet of luxury small cruise ships. This has helped establish Croatia as a global leader in this specialised segment of nautical tourism.

The continued activity of small cruise ships during the shoulder season also makes an important contribution to extending the tourism season along the Croatian coast.