A unique, in-depth exploration by sea of the sun-kissed Adriatic, with visits to ancient villages and wild islands rarely visited by cruise ships, has been curated by Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, which has joined together two, luxury voyages with Ponant to create a three-week, high summer escape in 2026 that offer solo travellers less than half price fares and savings of more than A$11,000 for couples.
Cruise Traveller’s new, 20-night ‘Jewels of Dalmatia and the Adriatic’ package in August, 2026, allows sun-seeking, culture lovers to experience 17 destinations between Venice in Italy and Valetta in Malta, with guests journeying in elegant luxury on one ship the whole way with no need to unpack and repack.
Little-known places such as Parga, Tivat, Primosten and Ponant’s new port, Gallipoli – not in Turkey but in Italy – feature in the immersive, destination-rich itinerary which offers an indulgent exploration of Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Malta.
The exclusive holiday begins on August 18, 2026, with two free nights in romantic Venice, Guests then board Ponant’s boutique, 184-guest yacht, Le Bougainville, for a 16-night voyage to Malta, encompassing two cruises joined together, with the iconic, walled city of Dubrovnik as the mid-point.
Destinations during the voyage include picturesque beach towns in Croatia such as Rovinj, Primosten, Zadar and the beautiful island of Hvar located off the Dalmatian coast and known as the sunniest place in Europe, with 2715 hours of sunshine a year, or an average of 7.5 hours a day. The wildly forested Croatian island of Mljet and the tiny town of Tivat in Montenegro are visited along with the enchanting, Croatian island of Vis with its quaint, old fishing villages, the spectacular bay port of Kotor in Montenegro, the ancient Greek town of Parga, the white-washed houses of Gallipoli in Puglia, Italy, and the turquoise waters of Sicily.
The cruise ends in historic Valleta in Malta where guests will spend two free nights in a hotel, ending the holiday.
Including a free shore excursion in every port, onboard beverages and a total of four free nights’ accommodation in Venice and Malta, the 20-night ‘Jewels of Dalmatia and the Adriatic’ package on August 18, 2026, is available from A$16,110 per person, twin-share, in a Deluxe Stateroom – a saving of A$5580 per person. Special fares are available for solos in a Deluxe Stateroom from only A$18,180 – a saving of A$24,010, or well less than half price (subject to availability). Flights from Australia are additional.
The savings and free accommodation are valid for bookings made by April 30, 2025.
To book, visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/
Cruise Traveller is Australia’s premier, small ship cruise specialist, representing 66 boutique, luxury and expedition cruising operators around the world.
