My Wish: Cruise Ship Review

Forbes

3 days ago

My Wish
Carrying just 36 guests, Unforgettable Croatia's elegant yacht, My Wish reminds one of a floating boutique hotel—modern and ultra-chic—yet small enough to allow for easy sailing through the tiny ports of Croatia's Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik.
Unforgettable Croatia boasts an enviable black book of exclusive VIP experiences and relationships with some of the world's finest restaurants, hotels, and private guides. With its highly bespoke service, you'll start with a conversation about how you like to travel before your own personal Croatia experts design your journey with immersive experiences, Michelin-star dining, and sumptuous pre-stays in hand-picked properties.
Balcony stateroom onboard My Wish.
There are 18 guest cabins onboard—while its Balcony Staterooms are bright and cozy, with Olympic Queen-sized beds facing wraparound panoramic windows, a small wardrobe (with a safe), a flat-screen TV, an ensuite with a walk-in shower, and a sweeping private balcony that's perfect for sipping Moët & Chandon under the stars.
Main restaurant onboard My Wish.
The main restaurant onboard is silvery and ultra-modern—where you'll feast on lavish buffet breakfasts (think elaborate fruit platters, delicious French breads and pastries, crispy bacon and juicy sausages, and specials like eggs benedict and cooked-to-order omelets) and three-course lunches ranging from dalmatian pašticada with gnocchi to sea bream in skartocu—followed by weighty New York cheesecake or uber-creamy tiramisu.
Here, you'll also join Unforgettable Croatia's Welcome Dinner (one of two hosted dinners onboard My Wish) as the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travel companions for the week ahead—think Americans, Canadians, Australians, and a sprinkling of Brits.
While its well-stocked bar serves as My Wish's social hub—where family-like waiters are on a first-name basis and will remember your favorite tipple.
Sun Deck onboard My Wish.
Sliding doors reveal a lower deck wrapped in plush cream banquettes—perfect for catching a Croatian sea breeze with a late-night brandy snifter or a fresh morning latte—and a watersports platform. With paddle boards, kayaks, a myriad of snorkels, and two ladders sinking into the sea—it's where you'll join daily swim stops in secluded coves—some with champagne served right to you, as you lounge on sandy bays.
Swirling up a winding staircase, you'll reach the Lower Sun Deck, where you can laze on sunloungers and sink into a bubbling hot tub—or take shade under a canopied lounge area with comfy sofas, exercise bikes, and hanging cocoon chairs where you can peruse a copy of Treasure Island. While only the bravest of sun-chasers hang out on the Upper Sun Deck, with just a couple of rattan sunloungers sat under the blazing heat.
Split bay aerial view through stone window, Dalmatia, Croatia
After embarking in Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, take a 10-minute stroll passing the pazar (Split's open-air market—selling local cheeses and fresh fruit) to the nearby Michelin-recommended ZOI Restaurant set within the walls of a Roman palace built 1,700 years ago by Emperor Diocletian. Here, you'll nestle into a sweeping terrace overlooking the Riva harbour and seafront below, surrounded by towering pine trees—where you can opt for the 7-course Dalmacija tasting menu ($240pp with wine pairing) as you graze on Amberjack fish, beef tongue, Tingul, and silvery seabass.
The Old Town of Trogir.
Stopping for a swim in a crisp, secluded cove, you'll sail from Split onto the medieval town of Trogir—a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on a small island dating back to 3 BC. Stroll along its narrow cobblestone streets and charming marina, often dubbed mini-Venice, or visit its 13th-century Saint Lawrence's Cathedral—housing the Renaissance Chapel of St. John and a 140-step bell tower boasting 360-degree views over Trogir the sparkling Adriatic coastline.
Krka National Park, Croatia.
From Trogir, you'll hop on a 45-minute coach transfer to Krka National Park, named after the Krka River that lazily winds through a verdant canyon, boasting serene waterfalls, vigorous rapids, natural pools, lush forests, and over 800 plant species and wildlife like white-tailed eagles.
Franciscan monastery on Hvar island.
Passing by Croatia's famed Golden Horn Beach, you'll arrive in Stari Grad on the northern coast of Hvar, known as the Island of Wine for its 2,400-year-old winemaking tradition. Here, you'll visit a Hvar family winery, VinAtomic, producing up to 150,000 bottles a year (specializing in the traditional Dalmatian dessert wine of Prošek) before swirling down to its cellars with aging oak barrels to sample Croatian Pošip and Grk.
Journeying onto Hvar Town, with its 13th-century walls, marble piazza, and ornate Gothic palaces, you can waltz along its palm-lined promenade and buy a scoop of lavender ice cream—or embark on a seafood feast at Gariful. It overlooks Hvar's famous sheltered harbor dotted with yachts and tiny fishing boats as you graze on beluga caviar, fresh oysters, and grilled octopus.
Then, follow steep alleys up to Hvar's medieval hilltop castle, looming high above the town below, for stunning views over the bay and Pakleni islands.
Aerial view of Vis town on Vis island.
Sailing across the Pakleni islands, a utopian archipelago of 16 serene islands off the southwestern coast of Hvar, you'll make a swim stop at one of its crystal bays before arriving in Vis—once serving as a military base for Yugoslavia. Today, it is characterized by secluded white-pebbled coves, sprawling wineries, pretty fishing villages, and its Old Town set along a horseshoe-shaped bay.
Stroll along cobbled lanes as you pass by ancient Roman settlements or visit its Austrian-built battery and Renaissance Church of St. Jerome (with its peaceful gardens and Franciscan monastery).
The Blue Cave of Bisevo.
Setting your sights on the island of Bisevo, you'll ride a little motorboat into the world-famous Blue Cave—narrow, rocky, and utterly mesmerizing, as you witness the natural phenomenon of its shimmering cerulean glow filling every crevice of this wondrous space.
In the afternoon, you'll sail onto Korčula—the birthplace of Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo, guarded by towering city walls. Visit its Gothic-Renaissance Saint Mark's Cathedral, sip a Moscow mule at Cocktail Bar Massimo (climbing a ladder to the top of the medieval Zakerjan Tower), or wander along narrow stone alleys to Korcula Old Town.
Mljet National Park
In the village of Pomena on Croatia's greenest island, Mljet—you'll visit Mljet National Park to see its two turquoise saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero (Big Lake), nestled within its forested hills—the latter home to a 12th-century Benedictine monastery you can reach by boat.
Before sailing onto the charming fishing village of Slano—a gateway to the fortified town of Ston, famous for its oysters, where you'll explore its medieval ramparts and hop on a ferry boat (plied with Rakija—Croatian fruit brandy) to the Mali Ston Bay to taste its refreshing Ostrea Edulis oysters—a natural aphrodisiac.
The Old City of Dubrovnik.
Sailing onto your final port of call, Dubrovnik—often dubbed the Pearl of the Adriatic, with its ancient city walls, beautiful baroque architecture (like the impressive Cathedral of the Assumption and the Rector's Palace), and UNESCO World Heritage Old Town—you can surf through its bustling Stradun. In this bustling thoroughfare, you'll admire its stunning Onofrio's Fountain and Franciscan Monastery.
Complete your island-hopping adventure with a royal feast at the Michelin-starred 360 Restaurant. Sitting within the medieval walls and fortress of St John, you can opt for a 5-course tasting menu ($188 per person) grazing on mouthwatering scallops, fresh mackerel, and pan-seared turbot, as your sommelier pours you a deliciously intense glass of Kozlovic Teran (360 serves 70 different wines-by-glass).
Unforgettable Croatia offers seven-night small-ship cruises from $2,595 per person, including breakfast, lunch, two dinners, private transfers, all excursions, and Wi-Fi. Flights are not included. For more information, visit unforgettablecroatia.com