Captain Zoran Ercegović & MV Labrador

Some people grow into the sea. Captain Zoran Ercegović was simply born into it. Raised in Krilo Jesenice, where the sea is a profession passed down through generations, Zoran comes from a family that has lived by the sea since 1881. Long before leisure cruising, his great-grandfather was sailing oil and wine to Trieste for trade. Ships were not a career choice. They were the family language.

Zoran started helping on board at the age of twelve, working alongside his father and two older brothers, hauling and transporting sand. It was practical work, done early, done properly. More than three decades later, he has logged over 30 years as a captain, but the logic remains the same: you respect the sea, you respect your crew, and you never forget where you come from.

That sense of continuity is not symbolic. It’s operational.

Labrador was built in 1967 in Italy, long before it became a cruise ship in the modern sense. The name comes from the beloved dog of its first owner, who was inseparable from both pet and ship. When Zoran purchased Labrador in 2019, he kept the name without hesitation. Some stories are not meant to be edited.

Since then, the ship has been continuously upgraded with care rather than excess. Engines, systems, cabins, bathrooms, floors, sun loungers, and air-conditioning. Everything that matters to comfort and safety has been improved, without stripping the ship of its character.

Labrador is a 29-metre wooden vessel, traditionally built and discreetly modernised, with 18 cabins accommodating up to 36 guests, supported by a five-member crew. It is a ship that feels personal, guided by experience instead of rigid routines.

The atmosphere on board is relaxed and unpretentious. No stiffness, no formality for formality’s sake. The favourite moment of the day, according to Zoran, is early evening on the stern, when the sea calms and conversation slows down with the light.

What makes Labrador special is not a single feature. It is the way people interact. Crew and guests talk, laugh, and share stories. Friendships form easily. The ship doesn’t perform hospitality. It lives it.

Some memories stay with you longer than itineraries.

Once, sailing between Mali Lošinj and Cres, Labrador was surrounded by a pod of 50 to 60 dolphins. For ten minutes, they swam and jumped alongside the ship. Guests stood silent, cameras forgotten, sharing one of those moments that don’t belong to anyone but stay with everyone.

Another time, Labrador hosted the French national rugby team, its decks suddenly filled with towering players. The journey was a success, and the guests left vowing to return with their families. Labrador has that effect on people.

For Zoran, the greatest reward remains unchanged: guests leaving the ship smiling, thankful, relaxed. Safety always comes first. Satisfaction follows naturally.

Asked how he feels while sailing his ship, his answer is brief and complete: fulfilled and calm.

And if he had one message for those dreaming of a life at sea?
If you have a dream, move toward it. You’ll reach it.