Pictured left to right outside the new store are: Paul Hardwick, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Director of Retail; Emma Bailey, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Tutti Taylor, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Councillor Candy Vaughan, Mayor of Eastbourne; Trevor Ridler, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Business Development Manager; and Shirley Waters, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents..
Donna, Senior Travel Consultant at our Beccles Branch, recently enjoyed a 5-night cruise in Croatia with Unforgettable Travel. Their Signature Croatia Cruises are on new ships, with several only being built in 2021, and each carrying no more than 38 adult-only passengers. These lucky few get to enjoy swim stops in secluded turquoise bays as the itinerary takes them to a different port each day, with immersive destination excursions included, and the evenings free to explore each characterful town. As you’ll read from Donna’s blog, the company really do live up to their name!
“With a name like Unforgettable Travel, I was expecting a wow experience, and it was definitely wow! Everything was absolutely seamless. On arrival at Dubrovnik airport, we were met with a VIP transfer in a Mercedes that took us to the ship. The car was very comfortable with air conditioning, water available and a courteous driver who was happy to answer any questions on the way. Private transfers are included in Unforgettable Travel’s price, and this is a fantastic way to start the holiday! We were met on the dock by the Cruise Director and an Unforgettable Travel representative, and within 5 minutes we were onboard enjoying drinks and light refreshments. Our whole arrival couldn’t have been any smoother - the team worked like clockwork.
Our ship was called Memories and she certainly delivered on her name! Despite the small guest capacity of just 36, the yacht felt open and spacious; clean and well looked after by a proud team who greeted us all. The main deck had a small reception leading to the restaurant, where breakfast, lunch and dinner was served. Breakfast is buffet style, with a selection of hot and cold food on offer. Lunch and Dinner is a 3-course set menu, and each morning the head waiter would be on hand for anyone with dietary requirements to discuss the menu. The menu included lots of red meat and fish, and my favourite would be the lamb chops, which were perfectly cooked on the bone.
Memories comprises 3 decks for leisure pursuits and relaxing. The far end of the restaurant opened onto a decked area with sofas and 2 steps down to the rear swimming deck. A small spiral staircase took you up a level where you could access the balcony cabins, and here comfy chairs and tables could be used for a relaxing spot in the shade. One further staircase then took you to the top sun deck, with sunbeds and chairs available at the rear. An Owner’s Suite was situated at the front. Each deck had plenty of room for downtime – sofas and comfy chairs were readily available with panoramic views over the sea, whether you preferred indoors and air conditioned, outside in a shady spot, or basking in full sunshine with a cocktail.
A treadmill and exercise bike were available on the sundeck, along with a Jacuzzi. The lower deck features a small sea water plunge pool, but we mostly swam in the sea from the rear swim platform. Kayaks, paddleboards, noodles and a jet ski were all available to use, and these daily swim stops really were a trip highlight for me - in crystal clear warm water where we could just step off the back of the ship.
Just a small team of staff worked totally in sync with each other, always polite and with time to chat and answer any questions. The Cruise Director gave daily reports, generally at lunch or dinner time when we were all together at the same time. The dress code was very relaxed and casual, no swimwear in the restaurant at mealtimes was the main restriction. There was a Captains’ Dinner, and everyone made an extra effort with long summer dresses and men in shirts, but this was not compulsory.
I had an Outside Cabin with 2 portholes, it was very spacious with a TV, wardrobe with plenty of hanging space and ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower. Each cabin had an Unforgettable Travel reusable water bottle and tote bag, which was handy to take on the excursions.
The Balcony Cabin was very similar in size with a fully opening balcony which could be used until 4 pm, generally after this time we would be in port and docked side by side to another vessel. The Owner’s Suite was much larger with panoramic windows, and the addition of a walk-in wardrobe. It didn’t have a balcony but the front deck just in front of the cabin was yours to use.
Our ports of call were Dubrovnik, Ston, Mljet, Korcula, Hvar and Split, and at each port we could enjoy a walking tour with a very knowledgeable local guide, which gave us a great sense of the history and culture of the places and enabled us to get our bearings. Each cruise itinerary has some included excursions and events – we visited to a local oyster farm, enjoyed a wine tasting, and cycled around Mljet National Park, with a small additional charge for bike hire. The park was stunning, with bike or kayak hire available - we rode all the way around the lake, stopping off and taking a swim on the way.
After dinner each evening, we had free time and, due to the central docking locations of our small ship, it was easy to head into the town for the evening to wander the beautiful streets, browse the shops, grab a drink in a bar, or sit and people watch. The bar was also open onboard for those who didn’t want to venture out. One tip I would offer is that cash is preferred over card in Croatia, and you will get offered a discount paying in cash in shops and restaurants.
The Croatians are very welcoming and polite people, every town was perfectly clean, and crime is almost zero because they are one big family in the villages. Everyone knows everything and all the walking guides said the same thing, “Every corner has a granny watching!” Each destination was steeped in history and interesting facts, which the guides really brought to life for us. With Memories being a small vessel, we were able to anchor in smaller, beautiful coves for daily swim stops, and when in port she was able to get close to the town centres, where we were free to hop on and off to explore as and when we wished. This type of trip would be perfect for adults of any age whether they be solo travellers, couples, or a group of friends.
I can honestly say the whole experience from start to finish really was simply unforgettable. Their company ethos is ‘why do ordinary when you can do unforgettable’ and Unforgettable Travel really live up to this and do it very well.”
To plan your own unforgettable journey, contact our local branch
