Emerald Waterways Announces First Ocean Cruise: Eight-Day Yacht Sailings Along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast

Emerald Waterways Announces First Ocean Cruise: Eight-Day Yacht Sailings Along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast Boston, MA (March, 2018) – Emerald Waterways—the deluxe river cruise company named "Best River Line for Value" by Cruise Critic for three years running—is pleased to announce its first foray into ocean cruising with a brand new yacht sailing itinerary along Croatia's dramatic Dalmatian Coast in the Adriatic Sea. Set to launch in 2019, the eight-day Islands of Dalmatia cruise plies the yacht-friendly waters between Trogir and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Guests on these sailings will take in some of the most spectacular destinations along the Adriatic Coast and learn about the unique topography of this region, comprised of thousands of off-shore islands and coastlines dotted with limestone mountains and ancients cities and towns. Emerald Waterways will be offering 22 departures from April through October, 2019, and are currently accepting pre-bookings with a refundable $250 deposit on their website. Croatia's Dalmatian Coast has become a popular vacation spot, known for its pristine landscapes, remarkably clear azure waters, fascinating history dating back to the 7th century and laid-back Mediterranean culture. Exploring this region onboard an intimate yacht allows guests the best of both worlds—the long view of pebbled coves framed by distant mountain ranges as glimpsed from the ship's sun deck, as well as the up-close-and-personal experience of walking the cobblestone streets chatting with locals and sampling the delicacies of the area's traditional cuisine. The sailing begins or ends in Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting a historic town center and medieval streets lined with classic examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. From there, guests sail to towards Šibenik, one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic Coast, before heading to the small town of Skradin. Here, guests explore Krka National Park, well known for its magnificent waterfalls, including the Skradinski Buk falls, one of Croatia's most famous sights. A day spent on Hvar reveals the island's rolling lavender fields and cultivated vineyards as well as hillsides dotted with terracotta-roofed villas, Gothic palaces and 13th-century ramparts rising towards an impressive citadel. Guests will visit the bell towers of the Franciscan Monastery, St Mark's Church and Cathedral of St Stephen before returning to the ship for an afternoon of sailing towards Split, the largest city on the Adriatic coast featuring an impressive mix of Roman and modern architecture. Pučišća, a coastal town and a municipality on the island of Brač, is often cited as being one of the prettiest villages in Europe. It's also known for its white limestone—used in the building of the White House. An included EmeraldPLUS excursion takes guests to visit a stonemason school founded in 1909. Later that day, a DiscoverMORE excursion features a guided tour of Cetina with a boat ride and local culinary tasting. On the island of Korčula, one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic Sea, a guided tour of the town reveals the typical medieval architecture, including ancient towers and red-roofed houses. Marco Polo, the famous world-traveler and writer, is reputed to have been here. The village of Ston is considered a jewel of the Adriatic Coast, and a guided tour here includes a wine-tasting session. The sailing ends in stunning Dubrovnik with its picturesque Old Town, and white limestone streets. Guests will sail aboard the MV Adriatic Princess II, a newly-commissioned yacht set to launch in 2019 and designed to navigate the Dalmatian coast and its many small ports. With just 18 well-appointed cabins holding 36 guests, this intimate ship provides the quintessential yachting experience. The sun deck, outfitted with comfortable sun beds and deck chairs, offers an ideal spot for relaxing and soaking up the Mediterranean sun while taking in Croatia's breathtaking coastline. Specially outfitted pool ladders located at the rear offer guests easy-access to the sea for a swim or snorkel while the yacht is stationary. The open-plan restaurant allows guests flexibility with their dining choices, while the bar and lounge terrace provide a spot to get to know fellow guests. The knowledgeable, English-speaking crew is available to help guests navigate each port, ensuring they get the most out the fascinating small towns and cities. These yacht sailings are scheduled to accommodate guests looking to combine an ocean cruise with a river cruise—for example, on select sailings guests can combine a Dalmatian Coast yacht cruise with an Enchantment of Eastern European or Danube Delights river cruise. For those that want more time to explore Croatia, a 3-night extension in Zagreb is also available. Part of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Waterways' seven Star-Ships offer river sailings in Europe and exclusive charters on the RV Mekong Navigator and Irrawaddy Explorer in South East Asia, the MS Rossia along the Volga River and the Adriatic Princess II in Croatia. Scenic's 15 Space-Ships offer truly all-inclusive, five-star river cruises in the same destinations as well as the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar and the Volga River in Russia. In 2018, Scenic is introducing the world's first Discovery Yachts, Scenic Eclipse, which will launch in August and take 228 guests on polar adventures as well as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, the Americas and Europe; and a sister ship to launch in 2020.