MV Toma & Dalmatia: Sailing the Adriatic with Heart

“Family is at the heart of everything I do,” says Captain Tomislav Rakuljić Zelov, a seafarer from the small coastal village of Bajnice near Omiš. The sea has always been a part of his life. His father owned two ships in the 1960s—Jupiter and Santiša—originally used for sand extraction. It was a modest start, but one that planted deep roots and charted the family's course toward a life at sea.

Today, Tomislav continues this legacy, though in a very different way. His two daughters share his love for the sea and are actively involved in all aspects of life on board. It’s not just a business — it’s a shared passion. That family bond creates a unique atmosphere that guests feel from the moment they step aboard. This isn’t just a cruise — it’s a floating home.

Tomislav became the proud owner and captain of the motor vessel Toma in 2016, and in 2025, he added the elegant Dalmatia to his fleet. Since then, every day at sea has been a new adventure. What stays with him the most are the shared moments — laughter on the sun deck, conversations under the stars, and the awe on guests’ faces when a hidden cove comes into view.

In contrast, Dalmatia, constructed in 2011 in Kaštela near Split, is a sleek, modern cruise ship with 19 cabins and a length of 37 meters. Though different in age and design, both vessels share the same energy: a laid-back, Mediterranean vibe that encourages even the most stressed-out traveler to breathe deep and relax.

The sun deck is the captain’s favorite spot. There, as the sun sinks into the sea and the waves whisper below, guests and crew alike find a peace that lingers long after the journey ends.

Every guest is part of our story,” says Tomislav. “We don’t just sail—we create memories that linger long after the sea breeze fades!