Unforgettable Croatia has reported record-breaking early sales for its 2026 small-ship cruising season, with more than half of all departures already sold since going on sale in March.
The company says this marks its strongest start to a season on record, driven by surging demand from the Australian market.
Australia leads record growth
Australians have played a major role in the surge, with September 2025 proving to be a standout month. Local bookings were up 72 per cent year-on-year, and revenue climbed by 48 per cent compared to the same month in 2024. September has also emerged as the most popular month to cruise, with nearly half of all September 2026 sailings already sold out.
The average booking value has also increased, now sitting around A$15,000 per booking — a rise attributed to the growing popularity of combined land and cruise itineraries. Australian travellers are increasingly extending their trips with stays and guided tours in neighbouring countries such as Slovenia and Montenegro, which have seen year-on-year booking increases of 286 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. Overall, Australian bookings for cruise-and-land packages are up 36 per cent.
Expanding fleet and new itineraries
For 2026, Unforgettable Croatia will operate 144 guaranteed departures across eight itineraries from May to October. Its boutique fleet of eight ships — each with no more than 19 cabins — includes the recently launched MV Aretis, which debuted to a sell-out season in 2025. Australians accounted for one in four guests onboard Aretis during its inaugural year, with 40 per cent of cabins for 2026 already sold and 15 per cent of bookings to date coming from Australia.
A highlight of the new season is the Opatija Hidden Gems itinerary, a seven-night sailing aboard the 38-guest My Wish, operating on 20 and 27 June 2026.
Experiential luxury on the Dalmatian coast
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Most itineraries sail between Split and Dubrovnik, with an increasing number of departures from Sibenik. Travellers can expect a mix of iconic and lesser-known ports — from Hvar and Trogir to Vis, Korcula, and the national parks of Mljet and Krka.
Each seven-night cruise includes breakfast and a three-course lunch daily, two onboard dinners, daily swim stops, guided excursions, onboard lectures, complimentary use of water sports equipment, and private luxury transfers. Most evenings are spent ashore, allowing guests to dine locally and explore Croatia’s charming coastal towns.
A seven-night cruise starts from A$3,795 per person twin share, while the 14-night Wonders of Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro Cruise Tour begins at A$10,150 per person twin share, with departures from June to September.
Strong trade support
Unforgettable Croatia co-founder Graham Carter credited travel advisors for driving the brand’s success, noting a 150 per cent uplift in trade revenue over the past two years. He said that both new and returning travellers are embracing the appeal of small-ship cruising, drawn to the personalised service and authentic experiences that define an Unforgettable Croatia journey.
