In an era when ‘luxury travel’ often means queuing up for buffet breakfast behind two hundred strangers, Always Croatia is steering a refreshing course back to what real travel ought to be: personal, cultural, and gloriously unhurried.
The proudly Croatian-American company has just announced that its fleet will welcome the newly refurbished MS San Antonio in 2025 — a 36-guest jewel designed for those who believe travel should be savoured like a good glass of Dingač wine, not gulped like a takeaway coffee.
Launching into the glistening Adriatic Sea on 24 May 2025, the MS San Antonio will chart a beguiling seven-night journey between the ancient stone beauties of Dubrovnik and Šibenik. And make no mistake — this isn’t about ticking off postcards. This is about slipping into the soul of Croatia, one hidden harbour, lavender-scented vineyard, and cobblestone alley at a time.
“Travellers today are hungry for authenticity — for something they can’t just order off a website,” says Christy Kranjec, Founder of Always Croatia. “With MS San Antonio, we’re giving them more: more culture, more stops, and a more meaningful connection to Croatia.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is something money can’t buy — though in this case, a well-placed booking certainly helps.
A Ship Built for Dreamers, Not Crowds
At a graceful 146 feet, the MS San Antonio is big enough to impress at dockside, but nimble enough to slide into the secret coves where the mega-yachts wouldn’t dare. Her gleaming navy-blue hull and sleek lines look like they’ve stepped straight off a Riviera postcard — the tasteful kind, not the tacky ones.
On board, 18 elegant cabins — each measuring 161 square feet — are appointed with a crisp, contemporary style that whispers “boutique hotel” rather than “floating resort.” Private en-suites, polished finishes, and more breathing space than most inner-city flats make the experience complete.
The upper deck dining room promises meals where the Adriatic’s bounty is front and centre: think organic, locally-sourced produce, cooked with a lightness of touch that would make a Nonna nod in approval. Those who prefer their dining under the stars can claim a seat in the shaded aft lounge, where dinner comes with a side order of sea breeze.
Sun worshippers, meanwhile, can stretch out on the expansive sundeck, perhaps nursing a glass of rakija or easing into the jacuzzi with the sort of lazy satisfaction that only comes when you’ve truly left the world behind.
Adventures Beyond the Horizon
Ashore, Always Croatia have drawn up an itinerary that reads more like a love letter to the country than a checklist of tourist traps.
Guests will feast among UNESCO-protected lavender fields, sip world-class vintages at family-run vineyards, and roll up their sleeves to learn the fine art of Dalmatian cooking under the watchful eye of a local master. (Tip: Croatian hospitality means you will eat. A lot.)
Medieval castles and crumbling palaces await the curious, their weathered stones echoing the stories of pirates, poets, and proud seafarers who shaped this coast long before the first cruise ship dropped anchor.
At each stop, travellers can dive into independent exploration — or dive off the ship’s swim platform into the crystalline embrace of the Adriatic Sea. For the playful at heart, the San Antonio carries snorkels, paddleboards, floats, and even SEABOB underwater scooters, all ready to turn an afternoon swim into an aquatic escapade.
Private Charters and Personalised Journeys
Those who prefer to sail with their own handpicked crew of family or friends can charter the entire MS San Antonio for US$67,995 — a price that, when divided among a shipful of kindred spirits, feels positively old-fashioned in its generosity.
The experience includes all the essentials: a welcome cocktail party, daily breakfasts and lunches, a captain’s dinner with live music, guided tours, onboard lectures, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a fully stocked bar rich in Croatian wines and American spirits — because even the most adventurous traveller knows the value of a good nightcap.
The Return of True Travel
In a world increasingly obsessed with speed, size, and selfies, Always Croatia’s MS San Antonio offers something far more precious: the time to slow down, savour and connect to places, to people, and to the stories that still ripple across these ancient shores.
Bookings are now open for the 2025 season. For more information, or to reserve a berth before word spreads like wildfire across the docks, visit AlwaysCroatia.com.
After all, good ships and good stories wait for no one.
By Bridget Gomez
