Stories from Best Story Contest 2023

As part of the Katarina Line 2023 Best Story Contest, we were delighted to receive numerous captivating stories and poems that vividly portrayed memorable experiences from Katarina Line cruise vacations.

Here you can read all the stories before we reveal the name of the winner!

A TALE OF THE ADRIATIC COASTLINE BY ROMAN H.

In the land where the Adriatic Sea kissed the Croatian coast,
A tale unfolded, a journey of beauty and the most.
A cruise ship sailed with grace, adorned in white and blue,
And aboard this vessel, a tale of enchantment grew.

Under the sun's warm caress, we embarked on our way,
With Katarina Line as our guide, promising an unforgettable stay.
Our ship, a floating haven, embraced us with care,
As we set sail, ready for adventures rare.

Our first stop was Split, a city steeped in ancient tales,
Where history whispered secrets and romance never pales.
With each step, we wandered amidst Diocletian's grand abode,
Marveling at the past, where emperors once strode.

Hvar beckoned us next, its lavender fields a sight divine,
As we wandered through ancient streets, frozen in time.
The fragrance of the Mediterranean filled the air,
While the sea's azure hues washed away every care.

Ah, Trstenik, a hidden gem nestled on the Dalmatian shore,
Its pebble beaches embraced us, an invitation to explore.
In the crystal-clear waters, we dived with jubilant delight,
Embracing nature's canvas, a wondrous underwater sight.

Onward we sailed to Dubrovnik, a pearl of the Adriatic,
Its fortified walls whispered tales of a world historic.
We strolled along Stradun, the ancient city's main street,
Lost in its charm, feeling the heartbeat of this town so sweet.

Korčula embraced us next, its medieval allure a bliss,
With its narrow streets and secret courtyards, we found pure bliss.
As the sun descended, painting the sky with hues divine,
We raised our glasses, toasting to moments frozen in time.

Through the emerald waters, our ship sailed on to Mljet,
A tranquil oasis where nature's beauty had been secretly kept.
In the embrace of its national park, we found serenity,
Walking through lush forests, feeling nature's symphony.

Pučišća appeared on our journey, a vision carved in stone,
With its white stone houses and secrets only it had known.
We marveled at the artisans, crafting wonders with their hands,
In this picturesque village, where creativity expands.

With hearts full of memories, we returned to Split's embrace,
Our voyage with Katarina Line had left its lasting trace.
The crew, like family, had embraced us from the start,
From Rade the Captain to Tena's care, they held our hearts.

And oh, our guide Juri, a beacon of knowledge and delight,
Whose stories echoed through the ship, filling the nights.
With every port, he unveiled the region's rich history,
Leaving us with laughter, immersed in life's grand tapestry.

As the sun bid us farewell, casting its final golden glow,
We held onto moments cherished, refusing to let go.
For on this cruise through Croatia's wonders, we found,
That beauty is endless when shared, hearts forever bound.

In the land where the Adriatic Sea embraced the Croatian shore,
A tale unfolded, a journey of memories forevermore.
With Katarina Line as our guide, we danced with the sea,
Creating a symphony of love, in a voyage meant to be.

AMIDST THE WAVES OF DALMATIAN BLUE  - ANDREAS THIELMANN

Amidst the waves of Dalmatian blue,
A captain named Frane, steadfast and true,
Led a one-week voyage, a journey grand,
In the sea's embrace, where dreams expand.

With windswept sails and stars above,
He charted a course, guided by love,
Through islands adorned with ancient lore,
Each stop a tale of times of yore.

From Dubrovnik's walls, so proudly raised,
To Hvar's lavender fields, softly glazed,
Frane's ship sailed on, horizon's call,
In the Dalmatian sea, they stood tall.

With laughter echoing on the deck,
Stories shared, a camaraderie's speck,
Cuisine savored, a feast of delights,
Under moonlit skies and balmy nights.

The Adriatic's embrace, a gentle hold,
Moments cherished, memories untold,
In Frane's name, a toast we raise,
To a captain's spirit, guiding our ways.

As the stars twinkle, shimmering bright,
We bid farewell to this wondrous flight,
A week at sea, where hearts are free,
Captain Frane, we thank thee gracefully.
 

CARPE DIEM BY SAMANTHA A.

 From July 15th to the 22nd my husband Rob and I, along with 8 other close friends from Vancouver, Canada, boarded the Adriatic Sun for one of the best weeks of our lives!  

The night prior, Friday, July 14th, we all met in Split at a lovely boutique hotel inside the walls of the historic Diocletian Palace, a World Heritage site. One set of friends did not tell Rob they were coming on the trip and wanted to surprise him. When we arrived in the lobby bar we seated Rob strategically with his back facing the two friends, who were both in disguise, with wigs, hats and glasses. It was a hilarious moment when one of them threw a question out to Rob and he eventually realized who they were!

The next day we were picked up in golf carts by the Katarina team and chauffeured to the Adriatic Sun, which surpassed our expectations in terms of how glamorous it was.  We had an upper level room with a deck, that was very spacious and had a large shower, much larger than any I have seen on regular cruises. The ship only has 17 rooms so a maximum of 34 guests. The dining area, bar, common areas and lounging spaces on the decks allowed for both quiet times for those interested in reading a book as well as plenty of room to socialize. We met folks from all over the world: Australia, Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Brazil and the US. 

We had a guided tour of Split (complete with our own headsets) and then met in the dining room for our first on-board dinner. My first Aperol Spritz, made by bartender extraordinaire “Emil” – was fantastic! The 3-course dinner was delicious, plentiful and served with expertise; a fine dining experience.

A typical day on the ship started as we woke to the engines humming and we pulled away from port. I loved sitting on our patio with a cappuccino looking at the stunning scenery of the Croatian coastline. Breakfast was at your leisure and had something for everyone. Freshly baked croissant, granola, yoghurt, fruit, grilled vegetables with Burrata, eggs, sausage, bacon and more.
My favorite part of the day was shortly after breakfast when we found a beautiful cove to drop anchor. We jumped in the water, tried out the paddleboards, snorkeled the edge of the islands and floated in the warm, Adriatic sea while chatting with old and new friends.  Next up, a quick change out of our wet suits and a relaxing 3 course lunch while we cruised off to the next island. Prosecco and cold beer began to flow! Our entertaining server, Bruno, made sure to satisfy our every whim while he kept us laughing as we practiced our Croatian jokes. 

Each island we had the option to take part in the guided tour (Katarina had an island specialist waiting for us at each port.)  The islands all have something  unique to marvel at: Hvar’s Spanjola Fortress towering over the town,  the Blue Caves of Vis and a wine tasting with charcuterie in a cool wine cave, Korcula’s many vineyards (we rented Ebikes and rode through the vineyards to a beautiful beach and hung out with the locals holidaying and drinking ice cold beer)  Mljet’s National Park where we took a boat to an old Monastery in the middle of a slat water lake - we had a swim and another cold beer, and an incredible Oyster & Mussel tasting on the Island of Ston complete with Croatian wine and grappa. I had shirts made for our group with our motto “Carpe Diem” so imagine our surprise when we came upon a famous bar situated under the lit-up fortress of Hvar called “Carpe Diem!”

As we arrived in medieval Dubrovnik we cruised along the walls and could see from a unique approach how mystical it is. Rocco set us up with a local tour specialist who led us through the gorgeous streets, we climbed the famous Game of Thrones staircase and we took the cable car to the summit and had a view of the ancient walls from above.  Have lunch or a drink overlooking the town at a stunning restaurant called Panorama!
We had several outstanding dinners as we travelled through the islands. Michelin star restaurants and local pubs or Konoba’s run by locals – you must try the “Peke” lamb or octopus slow roasted in a clay bell pot. 

Our cruise director, Rocco, was always available to make our experience even better. He made sure we knew what options were available to us as the day played out, made dinner reservations, pointed us to the nearest beach or cocktail bar and was always up to enjoy a drink with us. Despite all the activities there was plenty of time to read a book or to relax in the spa on the top deck. The housekeeper made sure our room was freshened daily and the chefs surprised us every day with new recipes. The night before we arrived in Dubrovnik, on the island of Slano, we were treated to a Captains dinner with entertainment. The guitarist and accordion player knew popular songs from every country represented by the guests so it wasn’t long before we were all singing and dancing; the Captain included. 

I can’t say enough about the crew and their desire to make each person’s holiday magical. On Rob’s 60th birthday they made a cake and served it with a massive sparkler. Our memories and new friendships will last a lifetime! I have searched high and low for a small ship experience on the Mediterranean and there is nothing like the Katarina fleet, staff, and island experience – they have it all figured out.  It won’t be long before we plan another epic adventure, perhaps from Split up towards the top of the Adriatic and then after we disembark it is a short train ride to Venice!
 

DREAM CRUISE - BY AMBER P.

This past July, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Croatia sailing through the Katarina Cruise Lines on the Dream. The name of our boat was the epitome of our trip, it really was a dream! Our journey began in Split and we set sail across Dalmatia, visiting numerous islands each having a beautiful splendor of their own. I came all the way from Michigan in the U.S which is 4,586 miles away from Croatia, but despite the distance, I couldn't have felt more at home. The crew on the ship and our tour guide Paula made us feel like we were family. Each day we got to have a taste of Croatia by the authentic and delicious meals prepared by Anchy! Our bartender Ivo, was the most pleasant host and went above and beyond to show us the warm and welcoming heart of Croatia. This story can't go without recognizing Tea, who ensured the cabins were cozy and spotless! And last but not least, our tour guide Paula who shared her expert knowledge and recommendations that had us confident there wasn't a single thing we missed out on in the country! 

One of the many things I will cherish from this trip is getting over my fear of swimming in the ocean! I have a deep-seated fear of fish and have vowed to never go into the ocean. In fact, it has been over 10 years since I have stepped foot in any ocean! On a hot sunny day, we anchored the ship outside of Mrduja and everyone on the ship went for a swim, except me (even the 93 year old grannie went for a swim!) The group was kind and cheered me on, encouraging me to take the leap and jump! But even though everyone else was swimming...still, I was afraid. Captain Pavao offered the most comforting reassurance about the lack of sharks and showed me how crystal clear the water was and so blue you could see the bottom! But still, I was reluctant....sailors Mefkior and Sven who helped anchor the boat, saw how scared I was. Both sailors took the snorkeling gear and jumped right into the water!! Face down, they swam in circles checking to see if there were any fish around, to my pleasant surprise...there wasn't a single one! The other travels and crew began to cheer me on, and with that, I couldn't refuse. I plugged my nose and dove face first into the ocean. It was the best swim I have ever had in my life, the clearest, safest, and bluest water I have ever been in. The Adriatic sea was a masterpiece!  

That night, we all had lots to celebrate! It was the night of our captains dinner, which was the highlight of our trip! Hearing the story of the Dream boat and legacy of the Katarina lines, while having a glass of bevanda with the captain was a excellent way to end the evening followed by a lively dance party! Our group in total had people from ten different countries! Even though we all came from across the world, taking a vacation for different celebrations and occasions, we all came together as strangers and left as a family, all loving the beautiful country of Croatia! 
Thank you to everyone who's paths we crossed on this trip, it truly was a dream and the trip of a life time! Hvala vam prijatelji! Doviđenja i nadam se da se vidimo uskoro!
 

DREAM POEM BY JODI B.

Wow!! What a great time we had on our fantastic cruise on the Dream. 
I have written a little poem about our experience. 
We arrived on Day 1 in Dubrovnik to meet our friendly crew
Pavao, Tanja, Ivor, Sven, Tea, Anchy, David, oh and Ante too!
Lunch was served, with wine and beer, three courses to enjoy
Then we dived into the beautiful Adriatic, Sven took out the buoy

Visiting many beautiful ports, the islands took our breath away
It’s impossible to decide, just which was our favourite day
Our fellow guests were friendly and fun, the staff, they became our friend
And it was really hard to imagine, that this cruise would have to end

The captain’s dinner was a treat, the ladies dressed up to the nines
Four courses of beautiful Croatian food and enjoying local wines
Then Captain Pavao’s playlist and to the dance floor we flocked
As cruise guests and staff danced the night away, it was truly the boat that rocked!

The food was absolutely beautiful, chef Anchy was a delight
Together with the support of David, we enjoyed every single bite

Tanja, our wise and friendly cruise director ensured we all had fun
As we relaxed on the beautiful sun deck, enjoying the Adriatic sun

The sailors, Sven and Ante, worked hard and made us laugh
And Ivo, our wonderful waiter and friend, was an asset to the staff
The beautiful Tea, with her lovely smile, looked after us on our cruise
And when Ivo was taking a well deserved rest, she served us lovely booze.

On Day 8 we enjoyed our last breakfast, saying bye to our new friends
Many from other countries, the cultures so beautifully blend
We’ll return for another Adriatic adventure, we loved our cruise team
And we recommend the Katarina Line and especially the ‘Dream’

Thank you so much for this amazing experience!

JOURNEY OF LOVE IN CROATIA – BY ED AND ILENE O.

I had set my sister Nora on a blind date with Dragan Suric from Croatia. They have been married for 12 years. They introduced us to heart of Croatia and asked if we wanted to go on this Croatian immersion tour. With one week on land and one week on boat.

Having been here with them 7 years ago from Dubrovnik to Split and this trip being the north country and looking at the itinerary we could not pass it up. Since 7 years ago we tell everyone that they must put Croatia on their bucket list. We have talked many, many of our friends into going and they always thank us immensely.

But the highlife was the boat. They whole thing was perfect and well planned and executed. So glad we did it and the Katerina tour was over the top. We can’t wait to get back and share all of our experiences with all of our friends and family.

To see my Brother-in-law be able to see
All the places he spent his life from birth in Zadar until 35 when he came to the states.
What a trip and well done.
 

MAJESTIC CRUISE - LESLIE STEWART

We board the ship “The Majestic” at the big harbour in Dubrovnik, and right away my heart skips a beat, as I can’t wait to cruise up the Dalmatian coast line, on this beautiful vessel that will be our home for the next 7 nights, along with 34 other people. There are lots of ships in the harbour, and not nearly enough dock space for them all, so this will be one of many times over the next week that we are tethered to as many as 7 boats that we walk through to board ours. Let the adventure begin.

We are greeted on the salon level of the ship by our tour guide/hostess for the duration, Aida. A tall, statuesque, older woman with an easy smile, and a confident demeanour, she welcomed us aboard the Katrina Line, (one of 60 ships) and encouraged us to make ourselves at home, as this will be “ our “ ship for the duration of our stay, I like her already. After some paperwork, our bags waiting on the dock for the crew to load, and instructions to be back on board at 12:45 for our welcome drink and orientation, we wondered around the small port area, excited to see our cabin.

We made our way to cabin # 10 on the upper deck, and where quite happily surprised to see how spacious it was, with a beautiful big European window that tilted open, or swung open wide to be able to take in the fresh sea air, and views.

We grabbed our key, and after a quick introduction to our crew, and an even quicker glance at the folks we’d be travelling with, the ship pulled out of the harbour, and we said goodbye to Dubrovnik, it’s been fab!

Lunch was served right at 1 o’clock, and after some lovely conversation with our new lunch companions, and a rest on the upper deck, we slowly cruised into our first port of the day, on the island of Saipan, and docked in the very small village of Otok. We where the only ship there, and the scenery is other worldly, with only one large stone building, some very small shops and restaurants, and of course a church with a large clock tower, all surrounded by pristine blue water, lush green trees, and ever present chirping birds, it’s so peaceful after the constant bustle of Dubrovnik. The crackle of the microphone gets everyone’s attention and Aida gives us some history of the Island, and let’s us know that this will be our stop for the night, so off we went to check out this little piece of heaven. Five minutes into our walk we ran into a couple Craig and Kerry, that we had lunch with, and they invited us to rent some electric bikes and explore the island on bikes, so with no hesitation at all, we accepted the invite and we where off. Craig and Kerry where fabulous companions, and the island was so authentically picturesque, with olive trees, small farms, an abundance of beautiful flowers, and a small port on the opposite side of the island, what an amazing start to what turned out to be an epic trip!

By the time we hopped into bed on our first night, we had hooked up with more friendly, fun people from our group, and had a sunset drink, and dinner at a small local restaurant. What the food lacked, the company definitely made up for, and the conversation flowed very easily, and we already feel really comfortable with the people we have spent time with thus far. Over the next 6 days and 6 more ports we saw some of the most pristine coastline we have ever seen, on all our travels. The ship and it’s crew ran like a well oiled machine, always on schedule, the vessel was kept immaculately clean, the crew where genuinely pleasant and efficient, Aida was obviously the best in her business, full of information with a contagious love and endless knowledge of her homeland, a great sense of humour, and a personal touch to all she shared, a real pro!

The islands we visited on our journey where Mljet national park, with a hike to some small clear lakes for a boat ride and a swim, next stop was Korčula, then to the party island of Hvar, my favourite island Brač with stops on either side of the island, just amazing, a stop on the coastline at Makarska, and our final destination of Split, where we disembarked.

This boat trip and the people that we have met, has been one of the best weeks that we have spent on any of the trips we have taken. It would have only taken one bad apple to spoil the bunch, and I suppose the stars must have been perfectly aligned, as we just adored the whole group, and felt so close to everyone by the time the Captains dinner took place, it was like we’d know each other forever. We have spent lots of time swimming off the back of the ship, playing cards, sharing stories about family, friends and travel, and having some really intimate conversations, it’s been so special. The Captains dinner was an absolute ball, with music and drinks, and the whole crew partaking in the dancing and singing, and eventually hugging, it was a virtual “ love in ! “ Over the course of the week together we had celebrated 3 birthdays ( a 60th mine, and a 30th Shelly’s), 2 honeymoons, and an engagement, a lot to celebrate, and I’m sure it assisted us in becoming so close, so fast. How lucky are we, again?

Our last day on the ship was spent in the harbour at Split, where we all had an opportunity to collect e mails, swap contact info, and just hang together and enjoy the sun. A quiet night was had by all, as there where a couple of hangovers, and we all needed to be off the ship early, and have our last breakfast together.

After breakfast we all had one final hug, with promises to stay in touch and loads of invites to visit, as well as us encouraging people to come visit us in Cananda, it was time to go our separate ways. With a tear in my eye, but a heart full of gratitude for having spent an incredible week with all these wonderful people, it was time to head to our apartment in Split. This was one of the most memorable birthdays I’ve ever had, what a way to start my 60th year…….blessed!

WAVES OF TRANQUILITY – JULIA HENSCH

The soft rumbling of the engine wakes you from your sleep. You turn around and bury yourself in the blankets. You drift off, or perhaps you don't. The pillow vibrates. Your bed rocks to the rhythm of the waves. You open your eyes. Your gaze drifts to the window. Beyond the glass lies an endless sea of turquoise. A ship passes by. Then an island with steep mountains and rugged cliffs, with dark green trees and a lighthouse. Pearly white limestone houses sparkle in the summer sun. Not a cloud in the sky.

You breathe out as you slowly sit up. Next to you, your partner snores softly, still deep asleep. One leg peeks out from underneath the blanket. Pale skin has turned to a deep shade of golden brown. Your partner turns in their sleep. It has been a long night. With a cocktail in hand and a soft beat in your ears, the two of you had spent the night in town, till your eyes could no longer stay open.
Now your stomach keeps you awake. Careful, not to disturb your partner, you throw on a shirt and slide out of the cabin. Only a few steps and a delicious scent fills your nose. Pastries or something alike. Only a few more steps and you enter the saloon. Fresh cut flowers in vases stand in the center of the round tables. The tables are scattered across the room. A soft chatter disturbs the silence. You are not the first. There are Adam and Jane from Canada. There are Toni and Giulia from Italy. And there is Thijs from the Netherlands.

You grab a plate of food. First, a glass of freshly pressed orange juice and coffee. Who doesn't love a good cup of coffee in the morning? Fruit. A lot of fruit. Strawberries, melons, pineapples, and pears. Look, there are some freshly baked apple pancakes and there some meaty wraps. You grab some. And of course, some scrambled eggs. Eggs and breakfast are basically synonymous. You take a seat next to the Canadians. Adam with his long nose and bushy eyebrows. Jane with her soft smile and dimples. The conversation flows.

You talk of the bell tower in Korčula. You and your partner climbed the tower to the very top, before heading to the fortress bar and watching the sunset over a bottle of Grk, your favorite Croatian wine.
Jane laughs. She took one look at the stairs of the bell tower and went the other way. Too steep. Too narrow. She could never. Instead, the pair of them went to the beach and dipped their toes in the turquoise waves.

You chuckle. The swim stop was not enough for the two of you?
Never. Adam takes a sip of coffee. He looks out the window, out to the flowing current of water. He can't get enough of the sea. Never in his life has he seen water so crystal clear. And the fish. Have you seen the fish?

You shake your head, as he continues. So many fish live in the shallow water of the rocky coastlines. Small fish swim by in swarms. Big fish with dark stripes nip on the vegetation under the water. Paradise. You can only agree. With one last gulp, you finish your coffee and stroll up towards the sun deck. You lie down on a beach chair and close your eyes. The sun warms your face. The waves splash against the ship. Peace and tranquillity. Paradise, indeed. 

WELCOME TO MS AQUAMARIN WITH CAPTAIN D ON THE SEA BY WENDY R.

Whilst we must bid ado,
We shant go without
Croatia + Slovenia forever in our hearts.
Vrlo, vrlo lijepa!

Rain or shine,
We sailed the Adriatic!
Aida the insightful
Filled our minds and our souls!

Chorusing with pirates,
Pillaging the shops!
We knew what to do,
On all our fantabulous stops.

The most vigilant team,
Dedicated to our delight!
Unforgettable ports of call to  food... not another bite!
Oysters came a calling,
Muscles followed suit!
Olive oil, bread, tapenades
We hit the loot!

The Blue cave mystified,
Ston – salt flats lost our mind!
It did not matter where, 
We somehow found great wine!

Walled cities,
Perfecting ice cream of all things.
The people we'd meet,
Dancing, concert, singing
We would grow richer by the moment,
Time is worth ones weight in gold.
Looking out at such stunning views
In our consciousness will hold.

Dubrovnik brought such culture,
Antiquities gone by.
The construction composed images,
That shall never leave my mind!
Greek hereos once common place,
Mystified in novels.
Putting art to Nymph Calypso's face,
While Odysseus should have rented
A bike to escape.

Luis, a hero in his own right.
Spent his dinner with harem
Of seven women
Each night!

Made memorable, by the locals and
By the phenomenal crew.
Without you we would be lost on 
Katmandu!
 

CRUISE ON MV MAJESTIC - BY JIM P.

My wife and I showed up at the port in Split about a half hour early to board the Majestic, our home for the next seven days as we would cruise through the Croatian islands. There were going to be about 30 guests aboard. 

We got to the boat a little bit early along with 6 other people: a stand up comedian from Sussex England and her engineer Mom, an environmental “solutionist” and her retired Mom also from England, and a couple from Australia, the husband being a metallurgist who worked in Africa and his human resources wife. I walked up and said, you look like majestic people, everyone laughed and we were bonding from the outset.

We had done one previous cruise: a 12 story ship with over 2000 people and 900 staff on a week long cruise through the Greek Islands. It was very nice and very structured but it had to be with that amount of people. We did not know what to expect on the Majestic. We had not done anything like this. 

The first meeting in the dining room got everyone together. There were also a couple from Slovakia, Fiji, the U.S. and a good contingent from Finland. Helena, our lovely hostess, set out the agenda and some of the procedures. We were delighted to hear that we would be swimming every day off the boat and we would be docked every night at a different port where we would have to be back at the Majestic by 6 a.m. the next morning (!) for a 7 a.m. departure. This allowed us to visit restaurants, pubs, see sunsets on beaches and in ports, hear live music at night, enjoy the town, etc. A far cry from the big cruise line where you had to be back by 6:00 pm or the ship would leave without you and it was your responsibility to catch up somehow. My wife and I each raised an eyebrow at each other. This was way more our style. 

Off we went in crystal clear calm seas and a cloudless perfect sunny day. As we headed for the sun deck I asked our bartender, Josef, what music we should listen to. Without hesitation he replied try our beloved folk singer Oliver. Beverage in hand, towel on the sun recliner and headphones on we tuned into Oliver on Spotify and listened to Croatian folk songs, relaxed and watched the beautiful coastline slide by. It was magical. 

With such a small number of fellow travellers it was easy to meet people and yet have time and space for the two of us. One of the highlights for us was the Captain’s dinner on the third night. We had no idea what to expect. Helena said that after dinner there would be some music on the covered deck off the dining room. About half of us headed there after a very tasty meal with Captain Zoran. Helena was playing some old rock and roll dance music. Two or three of the women got up and started dancing to Abba. More people came in. The music was turned up. YMCA by the Village People came on and just about everybody got up. A Finnish lady in her eighties was rocking it out. A Finnish fellow in his fifties was pole dancing. The English stand up comedian put the Captain’s hat on and started doing a wild jig and then she started a conga line around the deck. It was impromptu and it was fantastic.

After that many friendships were made. Many of us stayed together for most of the shore excursions including a national park in Mljet, a walled city on Korčula, a fabulous beach on Bol and of course the incredible Dubrovnik. Others went on their own. It felt so casual and easy. 
At the end of the cruise we all hugged and said our goodbyes. House swaps were suggested by a couple of people. It was delightful and it was the highlight of our trip to Europe.