Captain Dino and M/V Maritimo: Five Generations of Salt and Soul

For Captain Dino, life at sea is not just a career—it is the air he breathes. As a child, he followed his father onto the ship, learning the ropes long before he had the title of captain. It was never a question of if, only when.

 
Now a seasoned skipper with nearly three decades of experience, Dino is the fifth generation in his family to work with ships. From hauling cargo in the early days to pioneering nautical tourism on the Adriatic in the 1980s, the family legacy has evolved with the times,  but the soul of the work has never changed.

 
His wife’s family is just as steeped in maritime tradition—her father was among the first to introduce cruising tourism to the Adriatic, making the sea not only a shared livelihood but a shared love story.

Dino took full command of his first ship at just 19 years old — an age when most are still figuring life out. Now, with 27 seasons under his belt, he brings confidence, experience, and calm professionalism to every sailing.

 
His philosophy is simple but solid: “The most important thing is the safety of the guests and the ship. And making sure they are happy enough to come back.”
And many do.

Built in 2017, M/V Maritimo is more than a cruise ship  — it is Dino’s pride and joy. Designed with modern elegance and generous space, she is 48.5 meters long, 8.6 meters wide, and shines in crisp white. With 18 cabins for up to 36 guests and 6 more for the crew, the ship was made for comfort and community.

Guests love the bright interiors, the spacious lounge and bar, and the showstopper: a sun deck with loungers and a jacuzzi, perfect for unwinding under the Adriatic sky.

The atmosphere on board is as polished as it is personal. The crew, handpicked and tight-knit, work together like one big family—a dynamic that guests immediately notice and appreciate.

“The entire crew gets along well,” Dino says. “That’s what makes Maritimo special. We function as one.”

From the youngest child in the family to the most seasoned crew member, everyone pitches in. Dino’s children are already showing the same passion he did at their age, regularly coming aboard and learning by doing.

 
The mood on Maritimo is consistently warm, with a polite and attentive crew that’s always nearby, whether it’s for a swim stop, a late-night cocktail, or simply sharing stories over dinner.

Though Dino does not point to a single anecdote, the real story lies in the feeling guests leave with — one of connection, care, and a cruise that feels anything but commercial.

When asked how it feels to captain Maritimo, Dino answers without hesitation:

 
“Fulfilled. Satisfied.”

And that is exactly how his guests feel, too.

Whether you're new to cruising or a repeat visitor to Croatia’s coast, sailing with Captain Dino means stepping onto a ship where experience meets heart—and every detail is crafted for you to relax, connect, and fall in love with the Adriatic.