Luxury small-ship cruise operator Unforgettable Croatia has revealed that Australia is now one of its fastest growing markets with bookings up almost 30% year-on-year.
According to David Stone, Head of Global Sales for Unforgettable Croatia, Australian bookings are up 27% and revenue is up 39% year-on-year.
Overall, Unforgettable Croatia secured its highest-ever occupancy rate of 99.21% in 2024 and the company expects to reach a similar target in excess of 99% in 2025, with 87% of 2025 cruises already sold.
With the addition of new build 36-guest MS Aretis, which will offer 19 seven-night departures from Dubrovnik to Split and vice versa from June 7 to October 11, 2025, as well as a series of six new Yacht Collection Cruises on 52-metre Alfa-Mario mega-yacht, there is a 10% year-on-year increase in capacity.
“Following a year of impressive growth, Australians are now tipped to make up one in five guests onboard our luxury small ship cruises, with the Australian market growing from 15% in 2024 to 20% in 2025,” David said.
“We are thrilled that Australians enjoy our relaxed, intimate and immersive way of exploring Croatia’s beautiful coastline and look forward to welcoming more Aussies onboard our luxury small ship fleet in 2025 and beyond.”
David, who is currently visiting Australia for the Travel Associates Luxury Product Showcase in Brisbane and the Gold Coast as well as to meet local agents as part of an Unforgettable Road Show along the east coast, said the rapid growth meant Unforgettable Croatia was looking to expand its team in Australia not long after establishing a Melbourne office last year.
The company doubled its presence in 2024 with the arrival of Unforgettable Croatia European Travel Specialist Aurore Bertomeu, who moved down under to help set up the company’s Melbourne office. She has been working alongside Australian Business Development Manager Sarah Whitty from the Hotel Connection.
Since commencing her role in Australia, Aurore said it was interesting to note that many Australian clients were new-to-cruise and after travelling so far, were keen to make the most of the company’s Croatia cruise and land tour packages.
“What we’ve noticed with our Australian guests is that they love the relaxed, yet luxurious, vibe onboard our ships – setting sail in the morning and enjoying breakfast onboard before a leisurely swim stop, lunch onboard, and then an afternoon ashore exploring a coastal town or island on an included excursion such as oyster tasting at Ston or a visit to a family winery in Hvar, with the evenings at leisure to soak up the atmosphere of Croatia’s most picturesque ports,” Aurore said.
“To make the most of their visit to Croatia, our Australian guests often request a cruise and land tour, where we create a bespoke package combining a seven-night luxury small ship cruise with private land tours and coordinate all the necessary travel requirements for a stress-free and unforgettable visit.”
Unforgettable Croatia’s 2025 program features 133 guaranteed seven-night departures, sailing between Split and Dubrovnik along the Dalmatian Coast from early-May to mid-October.
The 2025 season also features a new seven-night Signature Croatia Hidden Gems Cruise, sailing from Split to Opatija and visiting Sibenik, Zadar, the Plitvice Lakes National Park and the islands of Losinj and Krk.
