Ambassador | Croatia

Boat

Built in Croatia in 2019, M/S Ambassador is a steel-hulled small cruise ship created for close-to-shore exploration of the Dalmatian coast. At 48.17 metres long and 8.60 metres wide, she is large enough to provide several distinct social areas yet compact enough to enter island harbours and anchor in coves that conventional cruise liners cannot approach. Maximum accommodation is 36 guests, supporting a more personal style of coastal cruising.

The vessel’s two 355 hp engines produce a published cruising speed of 9 knots and a maximum of 12 knots. A bow thruster assists harbour manoeuvres, and three generators supply the air-conditioning system and 220-volt electrical network. Technical specifications list a 10,000-litre fuel tank, 55,000 litres of fresh water, a 2.50-metre draft and a displacement of 350 tonnes. Navigation and safety equipment is designed to meet current European passenger-vessel standards.

Inside, the panoramic restaurant and salon provide an air-conditioned setting for breakfast, lunch, the welcome dinner and Captain’s Dinner. Large windows maintain a connection with the coast, while the bar and tea-and-coffee station support a relaxed daily rhythm. Mediterranean and international dishes are served alongside Croatian specialities, with fresh fruit available during the day. Advance notice helps the galley make reasonable arrangements for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, diabetic or other dietary needs.

Outdoor living is one of Ambassador’s defining qualities. Shaded aft lounges, open seating areas and sun loungers are spread across several decks. The rooftop Jacuzzi overlooks the Adriatic, while the stern swimming platform has ladders and two showers for planned swim stops. During the evening, the ship normally remains in port, letting guests walk ashore for restaurants, historic streets and local nightlife.

The operator’s vessel specification lists seven crew members, while the current 2026 cruise inclusions list eight crew plus an English-speaking cruise manager. Staffing can therefore vary by season or departure and should be confirmed if the exact complement matters.

Cabin

Ambassador carries 19 air-conditioned cabins for a maximum of 36 guests across three passenger decks. Crew accommodation is separate. Every guest cabin is described as having a private ensuite bathroom with shower and toilet, plus an independent ventilation system that supplies fresh air.

Published cabin categories include standard cabins, main-deck cabins and three VIP cabins. Cabin No. 17 is a 20 m² VIP cabin on the main deck, while VIP cabins No. 18 and 19 are on the upper deck. Exact bed arrangement and cabin number should be requested during booking; the operator accepts preferences but does not guarantee every request.

Cabin equipment includes:

• Double beds measuring approximately 200 × 160 cm or singles measuring 200 × 80 cm
• Individually controlled air conditioning and independent ventilation
• Private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet
• Satellite LCD television and radio
• Worktable, chair, mirror and bedside lamps
• Safe deposit box
• Hair dryer and 220 V power supply
• Wardrobe and luggage storage beneath the bed
• Life jacket, smoke detection, fire alarm and onboard announcement system

Standard cabins have two portholes and dual ventilation. Main-deck cabins have a larger cabin window plus a bathroom porthole. The operator describes the cabins as soundproofed and fitted with fire-resistant doors.

Daily housekeeping is included. Bath towels are changed every second day, bed linen is changed once during the week and one beach towel is provided. Laundry service is not available. Solo use may carry a substantial supplement that varies by cabin and date: the published 2026 tables show approximately 30–50% for a standard cabin, 50–80% for a main-deck cabin and 80% for a VIP cabin.

Diving and Water Activities

M/S Ambassador is not a scuba-diving liveaboard. The official vessel and itinerary pages do not advertise scuba cylinders, compressors, equipment storage, dive guides, certification requirements or organised dives. Scuba diving is therefore neither an included activity nor a published onboard option.

A guest hoping to dive in Croatia should contact Ambassador Travel before booking. A dive might only be possible through an independent, licensed shore-based centre during a sufficiently long port call, with separate transport, equipment, certification and payment. Port time can change and the ship will not wait for an unapproved activity, so no independent dive should be booked until the cruise operator confirms compatibility in writing.

Organised snorkelling equipment or guided snorkelling is also not listed among the inclusions. Guests who want to bring a mask and snorkel should first confirm storage and onboard policy. The ship’s tender is not generally at passengers’ disposal and is used by the crew or occasionally for shore transport.

The included water experience is recreational swimming. Weather and season permitting, the captain schedules stops in secluded bays. Guests enter from the stern platform using fixed ladders and can rinse at two deck showers. Additional beach swimming is possible when the ship docks within walking distance of the shore. A beach towel is supplied, but all swimming remains subject to the captain’s instructions, local traffic and sea conditions. Jumping overboard while the vessel is navigating is strictly prohibited.

Other leisure highlights include the rooftop Jacuzzi, sun deck, city walks and free time ashore. Blue Cave is visited by a small local boat when sea conditions allow; it is a sightseeing excursion rather than a dive or free-swimming cave visit. Mljet National Park may offer time to swim in the lake area within the schedule.

Other Information

The following information reflects the operator’s published 2026 Ambassador cruise pages and general FAQ. The confirmation for the selected date is authoritative, especially while Croatian port works may alter embarkation arrangements.

Published as included:

• Seven nights in the booked cabin category
• English-speaking cruise manager
• Crew service; the current itinerary lists eight crew members
• Welcome reception and three-course welcome dinner
• Daily buffet breakfast
• Six three-course lunches
• Captain’s Dinner; live music is specifically listed on the Split-to-Dubrovnik program
• Complimentary fresh fruit each day
• Tea and coffee machine available throughout the day
• Water dispenser
• English-speaking guided city tours of Split, Trogir, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik as scheduled
• Return coach connection between Dubrovnik’s Gruž harbour and the Old Town for the guided visit
• Wireless headset system during organised city tours
• Biševo Blue Cave entrance ticket, with a refund if sea conditions prevent entry
• Mljet National Park entrance fee
• Planned swimming stops when weather and schedule permit
• Beach towel, daily cabin cleaning, towel changes every second day and midweek linen change
• Unlimited onboard Wi-Fi, subject to the limitations of a cellular connection
• Rooftop Jacuzzi and public deck areas
• CCTV security system and credit-card payment facilities
• On the Dubrovnik-to-Trogir route, the published 09:00 transfer from Trogir port to Split’s main bus station

Published as excluded or payable separately:

• Port and tourist taxes of €50 per person per week, payable onboard in cash
• Optional Vis Island tour and optional Ston excursion, booked and paid during the cruise
• Private airport, hotel or intercity transfers unless specifically added
• Flights, pre- or post-cruise accommodation and travel insurance
• Croatian visa where required by nationality
• Dinners ashore other than the included welcome and Captain’s dinners
• Bar purchases and drinks not supplied through the included tea, coffee and water facilities
• Crew gratuity; the FAQ suggests 5–7% of the cruise fare
• Separate cruise-manager gratuity; the FAQ suggests 2–3% of the fare
• Laundry service, which is not available onboard
• Scuba diving, dive guides, rental dive equipment and organised snorkelling
• Independent shore activities, personal purchases and admission fees not named in the included program
• Solo-cabin supplements and other category upgrades

Practical details:

• Season and duration: published 2026 departures operate mainly April–October for eight days and seven nights
• Embarkation: possible during the first day; cabins are normally ready from 14:00 and late arrival after 19:00 must be reported
• Routes: Split/Trogir to Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik to Trogir, subject to port arrangements
• Language: English is the official onboard and guiding language
• Wi-Fi: free but dependent on cellular coverage and unsuitable for reliable streaming
• Payments: bookings accept bank transfer, cards or PayPal; onboard bills may be settled according to the vessel’s stated card/cash facilities
• Outside food and drink: generally prohibited, except limited medical, infant or special-diet items
• Health: no doctor or medical centre is carried; comprehensive travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended
• Accessibility: the published terms state there is no adapted cabin, wheelchairs cannot embark and strollers are unsuitable; discuss all mobility or medical needs before booking
• Safety: smoke and fire alarms, emergency announcement system, life jackets and CCTV are published; the captain’s instructions are mandatory
• Changes: the captain may alter the route for safety, weather or port decisions, and the operator may substitute a vessel in the event of a charter under its published notice terms

Ambassador normally sails one-way Croatia cruises between Split or Trogir and Dubrovnik, linking UNESCO-listed cities with Brač, Vis, Biševo, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet and the Dubrovnik Riviera. The 2026 programs last eight days and seven nights. They combine morning or lunchtime navigation, swimming stops, guided cultural visits and free evenings ashore. Port renovations and sea conditions can change the exact sequence.

Split to Dubrovnik – Eight-Day Adriatic Cruise

Day 1 – Embarkation in Split
Ambassador receives guests throughout Saturday, with cabins normally available from 14:00. Luggage can be left earlier. A 19:00 welcome meeting introduces the cruise manager, crew and fellow passengers, followed by a three-course welcome dinner. The ship remains overnight, allowing late arrivals when the operator has been notified.

Day 2 – Split and Trogir
An English-speaking guide introduces Split’s historic core and Diocletian’s Palace. Around midday, Ambassador sails toward Trogir while lunch is served, with a swimming stop planned en route if conditions allow. Trogir’s compact old town, Cathedral of St. Lawrence, palaces and lanes are explored with a local guide before an evening free for an independent dinner ashore.

Day 3 – Bol and Vis
The ship heads to Bol on Brač, famous for the shifting pebble cape of Zlatni Rat. Guests have time to stroll, swim or sit at a waterfront café before lunch. The afternoon passage ends in Vis Town, whose long military isolation helped preserve traditional stone streets, local agriculture and a less-developed island character. An optional paid tour crosses the island to the fishing village of Komiža.

Day 4 – Biševo Blue Cave and Hvar
Morning navigation leads to Biševo and the Blue Cave. Entry takes place on a local small boat and depends on wave height; when the cave is closed, the ticket price is refunded. After a swim stop and lunch, the cruise continues through island channels to Hvar. A guide presents the town’s long history and Mediterranean culture before guests choose their own restaurant and evening activities.

Day 5 – Hvar to Korčula
Ambassador leaves Hvar for Korčula, pausing in a clear bay for swimming before lunch. The afternoon guided walk follows the old town’s narrow lanes and stone architecture. Korčula is traditionally promoted as Marco Polo’s birthplace, but the broader appeal lies in its fortified peninsula, cathedral, waterside views and lively choice of independently paid restaurants.

Day 6 – Mljet National Park and Slano
At Mljet, the included park visit allows time around the Great and Small Lakes and, schedule permitting, the islet of St. Mary with its twelfth-century Benedictine monastery. Swimming may be possible in the lake area. Lunch is served back onboard before the ship continues to Slano, a mainland harbour framed by pine forest and olive groves. The evening Captain’s Dinner is accompanied by live music on the published program.

Day 7 – Elaphiti Islands and Dubrovnik
The final sailing day passes the Elaphiti Islands and approaches Dubrovnik beneath its historic fortifications. After lunch, guests disembark near the Old Town for an included guided walk. Free time can be used for the City Walls, cable car to Mount Srđ or independent exploration. A scheduled coach returns the group to Gruž harbour for the final night.

Day 8 – Dubrovnik departure
Breakfast concludes the cruise. Flights and onward transfers are not automatically included, so guests should arrange them according to the final disembarkation instructions.

Dubrovnik to Trogir – Reverse Adriatic Cruise

The northbound program visits many of the same islands but changes the order, some excursions and the final port. It is not simply an identical timetable in reverse.

Day 1 – Dubrovnik embarkation
Guests board in Gruž harbour, with cabins available from 14:00. The welcome meeting takes place at 19:00 and dinner follows at 19:30. Ambassador remains in Dubrovnik overnight.

Day 2 – Dubrovnik and Slano
A guided coach-and-walking visit introduces Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed centre. Guests have free time for the City Walls or Mount Srđ before the coach returns to the ship. Lunch is served during the passage to Slano. A paid optional excursion may continue to Ston, known for its fortified walls, saltworks and shellfish farming.

Day 3 – Mljet and Korčula
The included Mljet National Park visit focuses on the Great and Small Lakes and St. Mary islet. After lunch underway, Ambassador reaches Korčula for a guided walk and an evening at leisure among the old town restaurants.

Day 4 – Vis
The ship cruises toward Vis with lunch and a planned swim stop along the way. Arrival in the afternoon leaves time to explore independently. The optional Vis Island tour, including Komiža, is reserved and paid onboard.

Day 5 – Blue Cave and Hvar
Sea conditions determine whether the local boat can enter Biševo Blue Cave. After the cave visit—or a revised plan if access is unsafe—Ambassador makes a swimming stop, serves lunch and continues to Hvar for an included city walk and free evening.

Day 6 – Bol and Milna
The morning is devoted to Bol and Zlatni Rat, where guests can walk, swim or relax before lunch. The ship then moves to Milna, a sheltered Brač harbour of stone houses and quiet waterfronts. Captain’s Dinner is served onboard that evening.

Day 7 – Split and Trogir
A swim stop precedes arrival in Split. The guided walk centres on Diocletian’s Palace and the UNESCO-listed old town. After lunch, the ship continues to Trogir for a second guided visit and a final evening ashore.

Day 8 – Trogir and transfer to Split
After breakfast, guests disembark in Trogir. The published program includes a 09:00 coach to Split’s main bus station near the ferry port and old town. Anyone with a flight should check that this timing suits their airport transfer rather than treating the city coach as an airport service.

Cruise Rhythm, Swimming and Shore Time

Ambassador is designed around daylight cruising and evenings in port. Breakfast is generally followed by a city visit or morning passage; lunch is served onboard on six days, and a bay stop is added whenever sea and timing permit. Most dinners are intentionally left free so guests can sample local restaurants. Comfortable shoes, sun protection and a light layer for spring or autumn evenings are more useful than specialist marine equipment.

Swimming stops are opportunities, not guaranteed appointments. The captain chooses a suitable bay and controls access to the stern platform. Blue Cave can close at short notice because of waves, while harbour congestion or port works can move embarkation to a nearby port such as Trogir. Guests should keep independent excursions flexible and return before the announced sailing time.

Choosing a Direction and Planning Connections

Both directions cover the core Dalmatian highlights, so the best choice usually depends on flights and the desired order of the cities. The southbound route begins with Split’s Roman centre and gradually builds toward Dubrovnik’s walls. Its Captain’s Dinner in Slano and final Dubrovnik approach create a strong conclusion. The northbound route opens with Dubrovnik, adds the optional Ston excursion and finishes with two guided cities—Split and Trogir—on the final full day.

These are one-way cruises. Travellers should avoid booking a return flight from the embarkation city without arranging an independent intercity connection. Split Airport is closer to Trogir than central Split, but the included final-day coach travels to Split’s main bus station, not the airport. Dubrovnik disembarkation takes place after breakfast in Gruž unless the operator confirms otherwise.

The route suits travellers who enjoy a guided introduction followed by free time. City walks include stone paving, steps and summer heat, while movement between vessels moored side by side may occasionally be required. Guests with reduced mobility should discuss the full itinerary before paying a deposit because the published terms say wheelchairs cannot embark and no adapted cabin is available.

Important Itinerary Notes

• This is a cultural and leisure cruise, not a diving safari.
• No scuba or organised snorkelling program is included or advertised onboard.
• Listed swim stops depend on weather, season, port timing and the captain’s decision.
• Blue Cave entrance is included but access cannot be guaranteed; the ticket is refunded if conditions close the cave.
• The optional Vis and Ston excursions cost extra and are reserved onboard.
• Most dinners are independent and paid ashore.
• Port renovations may change Split/Trogir embarkation or disembarkation arrangements.
• Published routes and even the assigned ship may change under the operator’s conditions.