Croatia Dance Adventure Cruise

Dubrovnik to Split, Croatia

WD
Aug 17 - 24, 2024
Group size: 14 - 34
Croatia Dance Adventure Cruise
Dubrovnik to Split, Croatia


Aug 17 - 24, 2024
Group size: 14 - 34

About this trip

Discover the glittering Dalmatian coast aboard the beautiful MS Aurora on this 8-day dance cruise adventure from Dubrovnik to Split.


Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, not to mention some of the most stunning natural wonders and charming, historic, old-world cities you can find. 


Our specially tailored itinerary will give you plenty of opportunity for a wide variety of activities, from swimming breaks in the Adriatic and quality R&R downtime, to exciting adventure-activities like guided walking tours of four different cities, or a river cruise with oceanside dinner, or a hike to the spectacular waterfalls of Krka National Park, or expeditions like a winery trip near romantic Korcula or visiting a honey & lavender farm in beautiful Hvar, or dining and dancing after dark in any of the port cities we visit!


You'll get a perfect taste of what the Dalmatian Coast has to offer on this exciting and varied dance-cruise adventure, tailored especially for you and for people like you who love to travel, learn, dance, and connect!


**We also have a 3 day/2 night pre-trip add-on for folks who would like to come early and tour the historic medieval cities of Kotor, Lovcen, & Budva in nearby Montenegro (Details are in our Add-On section below)

Dance Classes & Group Activities

Daily group classes will include a mix of morning and/or afternoon sessions in a variety of mostly swing & blues dance styles (ECS, Lindy, laminu, blues, blues-swing fusion, etcs), with a strong emphasis on both partnering & connection as well as introducing fun new step patterns and stylings.  


Other group activities may include afternoon & evening dances, a cocktail social hour, games night, special dance outings in ports, as well as many other fun "non-dancing" activities.  So many options, so little time!

Pricing

Pricing Includes:

  • 7 nights lodging onboard the MS Aurora
  • Half-Board (2 meals/day):  See itinerary for specific meals
  • All tips, tax's, VAT, port charges 
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • All land/sea transportation as outlined in the itinerary (including shuttles to National Parks)
  • Special welcome aboard dinner with the captain
  • Korcula - orientation walk
  • Trpanj - Matusko winery visit and tasting
  • Opuzen - Neretva river photo safari boat tour
  • Mostar - Guided Tour with Coffee Experience
  • Mostar - Riverside Restaurant Dinner
  • Hvar - Lavender and Honey Tour
  • Split - Guided Tour
  • Krka National Park - waterfalls tour
  • Daily dance classes with world-class instructor
  • Daily group dance parties & socials 
  • An onboard English-speaking guide will be with us 24/7
  • An onboard Host/Concierge will be with us 24/7 
  • All activity & entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary
  • Snorkeling equipment & towels

Not included: 

  • Airfare
  • Travel Insurance 
  • 2nd airport transfer
  • Alcohol/specialty drinks not included with meals
  • Any extra meals/drinks not included in the itinerary
  • Any extra sundries/purchases while in port or onboard the Aurora
  • Any extra amenities/excursions beyond those already provided 

                                                            ROOM CATEGORIES:
Prices are per person based on double occupancy.Rooms will be assigned in the order that down-payments are received. An $800 deposits holds your room reservation.  Full payment is due within 21 days of registration.Single supplements are 100% (ie, double the amount of the prices listed) 

  • LOWER DECK Standard Twin/Double:  $3,295  per person.  Room on lower level with two twins that can be used separately or combined for a couple.  
  • UPPER  DECK Premium Twin/Double:  $3,495 per person: Double bed on the main deck [This is $200 less than the regularly published fare for the ship, and includes tips, taxes, dance classes, and more!] 
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS are 100%, meaning if you would like a solo cabin, it would be $6,590 for the lower deck and $6,990 for the upper deck

Pre-Trip Add-On to Montenegro (Optional):  $865 per person (See details below)

Pre-Trip Add-on to Montenegro (3 days)

Come 3 days early and join us for a special pre-trip extension to neighboring Montenegro where we'll tour the beautiful medieval cities of Kotor, Lovcen, & Budva.  Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an amazing example of a walled medieval city that has survived to today.  Lovcen is located in the Dinaric Alps and boasts stunning panoramic views from the mountaintops.  Budva is another beautiful historic coastal city with perfect beaches for lounging or swimming in the Adriatic.  Check out the details below and let us know if you would like to come. Aug 15-17, 2024:  Optional Pre-Cruise Extension to Kotor, Lovcen, & Budva (Montenegro) 


     Start/Finish:  Dubrovnik, Croatia        Accommodation:  2 Nights Hotel        Included:  2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, All Transport, Hotel, Full-Time English Speaking Guide, Park Fees       Not Included:   Other Meals, Alcohol, Tips, Sundries, Insurance            Transport:  Per Daily Itinerary  Cost:   $865 pp (minimum of 10 participants required)  **If you are interested in going, please sign up for this trip on the payment page.  Once we have more than 10 participants, we will book it for the group.  If we have less than 10, your money will be refunded if you have already paid for it.           


 --------------------------- SCHEDULE ------------------------   


Day 1:  Aug 15, 2024 (Dubrovnik -> Kotor)  Meals included: None Your tour leader will pick you up from the Dubrovnik port at 9AM. The drive to Kotor is approximately 3 hours. This 5th-century World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with pretty waterside towns. After exploring the area, go back to Kotor and do a walk on the city walls - well-preserved medieval fortification surrounding the historic town of Kotor in Montenegro, offering stunning views of the city and the Adriatic Sea. Included Activities

  • Transfer Dubrovnik Port – Kotor • Kotor Guided Walking Tour
  • Kotor Walls

Accommodation: Hotel Marija 1 (Standard room) or similarSpecial Information: As this day is a holiday in Croatia, the line on the border might be longer than usual.   


Day 2: Aug 16, 2024 (Lovcen -> Budva)  Meals included: breakfast, lunch This morning we transfer to Lovcen for a tour of Lovcen mountain, and Njegos Mausoleum & Cetinje. Lovćen Mountain is a prominent peak in Montenegro's Dinaric Alps, housing the Njegoš Mausoleum at its summit, a memorial dedicated to the renowned Montenegrin ruler, poet, and philosopher Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. Cetinje, the old royal capital, lies at the foot of the mountain and remains a cultural and historical hub showcasing Montenegro's rich heritage. We continue our adventure to Budva (approximately 40min drive) where we’ll take a quick tour of the town, then enjoy free time to explore. Budva is a beautiful Old City with a stunning coastline, perfect for relaxing on the beach and swimming in the Adriatic. Included Activities

  • Lovcen NP
  • Njegos Masuoleum 
  • Budva

Accommodation: Hotel Vila Lux (Standard room) or similar   


Day 3: August 17, 2024 (Budva -> Dubrovnik)  Meals included: breakfast We leave Montenegro and travel back to Croatia, arriving in Dubrovnik after approximately 2.5 hours before making coffee stop in town of Tivat. The undisputed jewel of the Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik’s old town is made of beautiful white stone surrounded entirely by city walls, easy to explore on foot. There, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the city and walk along the city walls. If you happen to be a Game of Thrones fan, from here you'll not only recognize scenes from the TV series, but also enjoy views of the glittering Adriatic, so don't forget your camera. After the tour, you will be transferred to the port in time for your 5PM cruise embarkation.Included Activities

  • Transfer Budva – Dubrovnik
  • Tivat coffee stop
  • Dubrovnik – Guided walking tour
  • Dubrovnik – Entrance to the City Walls 
  • Transfer to port for 5PM embarkation

PRE-PRE-TRIP SWING DANCE CAMP

For anyone interested in swing dancing, Ari will be teaching at the Swing Dance Montenegro Summer Camp from Aug 4-9, and you are more than welcome to come early and attend that as well.  The dance style will be mostly Lindy-hop and it does assume you already know the basics. You can learn more about it HERE (you would have to register for it separately)

How to get there

If you're joining us directly for the cruise, plan to fly into Dubrovnik, Croatia (airport code: DBV), and to depart from Split, Croatia (airport code: SPU)

Passport & Visa

All travelers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return. Some countries also require a machine-readable passport and/or unstamped available pages. When assisting with an international travel booking, we will assume that all travelers on the booking have a valid passport. If this is not the case, you must let us know. It is important to ensure you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities. Any fines, penalties, payments, delay or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility.


Information about Passport/VISA requirements for Croatia can be found HERE

COVID Vaccination

Proof of COVID Vaccination is NOT currently required for this trip.


Please check the most recent CDC update to view any change in regulations.  Requirements for travel to Europe can be found at HERE.   Information about return travel to the US can be found at HERE.  

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is required for all of our trips and will help protect both your investment and our vendors should you need to cancel. There are many companies that offer travel insurance options. You can sign up with one such policy during the payment checkout portion of this registration.  If you are a AAA member, you may want to check with them.


Once you have purchased your travel insurance, please let us know the company name and policy number you have with them.


If you don't have a policy already and don’t want to use the one offered at check-out, feel free to CLICK HERE to purchase insurance through our affiliate company, World Nomads*.


*PLEASE NOTE:  We do not represent World Nomads.  As an affiliate, we receive a small commission when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link.  This is information only and not a requirement to buy travel insurance through this company.

Changing Money

Restaurants, stores, and ATMs in most tourist destinations in Europe accept VISA, MC, and other bank, debit, and credit cards for access to Euros.  Just to be sure, however, you may want to exchange some currency before you come, or you can easily do it at the airport or at any tourist money exchange kiosk in town once you arrive.  

Packing List

CLICK HERE For Our Best Tips On Travel Preparation And Packing.

TRAVEL TIPS

Please refer to our TRAVEL TIPS page for valuable suggestions on such things as how & what to pack, how & when to book flights, power cord adapters, international phone coverage, what to include in your traveler's first aid kit, etc.

Small Ship Travel

 Is this trip right for you?

  • 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 is 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 not only give us more time to dine ashore and enjoy those balmy Croatian evenings, but will afford us many more local dance opportunities! Cruising will mostly take place during the day.
  • Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking, often times over rough terrain. 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 stabilizers to minimize movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew will do all they can to minimize 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.

Cancellation Policy

  • Should you cancel less than 14 days of booking and greater than 180 days before the trip, you get a 100% refund of total cost minus a $150 admin fee.
  • Should you cancel after 14 days of booking and up to 180 days before the trip you will get a 50% refund of total cost minus the $150 admin fee.
  • Once we are within 180 days of the trip starting there are no refunds.
  • Note:  should you find someone to fill your spot, we can transfer your balance to them minus the $150 fee. Should you become sick or have other health or family-related issues, it’s highly likely the required travel insurance would kick in and reimburse you so be sure and check with your provider. 
  • It is the responsibility of the trip attendee to reach out in the event of a cancellation and make their payments on time. We reserve the right to hold payments according to the cancellation policy above to pay our vendors to make this trip happen. 
  • By making a deposit you agree to above terms of service and cancellation policy.

Small Print

Liability:

We exercise care in the selection of reputable travel service providers but we are not ourselves a provider of travel services and have no control over, or liability for, the services provided by third parties.  


In no event do we accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise, for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers over whom we have no direct control, force majeure or any other event which is beyond our control or which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part. We also do not accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise, for consequential loss (meaning indirect loss, loss of revenue, loss of reputation, loss of profits, loss of actual or anticipated savings, lost opportunities, including opportunities to enter into arrangements with third parties or loss or damage in connection with claims against you by third parties) howsoever caused in connection with your booking.



Risks of Travel and Release: 

We assume no responsibility for and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions on the part of any other party not under our control or any acts of God, unsafe conditions, terrorism, health hazards including pandemics, illness, weather hazards, or the suitability for a disabled person of any portion of any trip. We have no special knowledge of dangers during travel or at destinations. For information related to such dangers, we recommend going to the State Department travel website at travel.state.gov, click on "Find International travel Information" then click on "Country Information", and fill in the name of the destination country. 


For medical and health information, we recommend going to the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov/travel, then click on "Destinations" and scroll to the name of the destination country. It is your personal decision to travel, and you are doing so with full knowledge of current travel recommendations and travel restrictions with regards to the risks of COVID-19. YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL OF THESE RISKS AND DANGERS, AND YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREE TO FOREVER RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD US, AND OUR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, GUIDES, GROUP LEADERS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTIONS, SUITS, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF ANY AND EVERY KIND AND NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH YOU NOW HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER ARISE OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE RISKS AND Dangers.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact us at danceadventures@comcast.net

What’s included

  • 7 nights lodging
  • 1/2 Board (2 meals/day)
  • All tax's, tips, fees
  • Single Airport Transfer
  • Captains welcome dinner
  • Daily dance classes
  • Daily Dance parties
  • Onboard tour guide
  • Onboard concierge
  • Krka National Park tour
  • Korcula - guided tour
  • Trpanj - winery tour
  • Opuzen - river safari
  • Mostar - city tour
  • Mostar - coffee tour
  • Mostar - river dinner
  • Hvar - lavender tour
  • Split - guided tour
  • WiFi Internet 24/7
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Towels

What’s not included

  • Airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcohol
  • 2nd Airport transfer
  • Meals not in itinerary

Available Packages

LOWER DECK Standard Twin/Double (SHARED)
$3,295
Deposit: $800
UPPER DECK Premium Twin/Double (SHARED)
6 left
$3,495
Deposit: $800
LOWER DECK (SOLO CABIN)
$6,590
Deposit: $1,600
UPPER DECK (SOLO CABIN)
9 left
$6,990
Deposit: $1,600

Available options



Itinerary

Day 1: Dubrovnik
Day 1: Dubrovnik

Welcome aboard Zdravo and welcome to Croatia. Lovely Dubrovnik features the terracotta rooves, ancient cliff-forged walls and crystal coasts that many people associate with Dalmatia. Your adventure begins this evening at 5 pm, when you will be welcomed aboard the Aurora and introduced to your crew and fellow travelers. Enjoy a drink and get to know each other before your first dinner on the ship this evening.  


 Included Activities: Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer 

Meals Included: Dinner


Special Information: A complimentary arrival transfer is included from Dubrovnik Airport to the Port of Dubrovnik 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 25 days prior to arrival so as we can organize this transfer for you. Bags can be dropped off at the ship from noon. Feel free to explore Dubrovnik at your leisure until boarding commences at 5pm.

Your Organizer