A new way to see the Adriatic is arriving in spring 2027. Variety Cruises, the Greek small-ship operator, is launching a seven-night Croatia Island-Hopping & Montenegro itinerary, with weekly roundtrip departures from Dubrovnik starting in April.
The route runs on the Callisto, a yacht-style ship carrying just 34 guests, which is the whole point. Instead of racing between the big-name ports, the itinerary mixes well-known stops like Hvar with quieter islands that mass-market ships rarely touch: Vis, Lastovo and Mljet. It then crosses into Montenegro for a sail into the Bay of Kotor, so travellers get two countries in one week without ever changing hotels.
Prices start from $2,190 per person, and the fare is fairly all-inclusive for a cruise at this scale. It covers four guided excursions — Dubrovnik Old Town, Mljet National Park, Hvar and Kotor — plus wine tastings and cooking or cocktail demonstrations. Onboard, guests get 14 meals focused on Mediterranean and regional cuisine, with wine, beer or soft drinks included at every lunch and dinner, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
There's a strong water-focused angle too. Variety's "Swim Experiences" let guests jump straight off the ship into secluded Adriatic coves, and kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkelling gear are all complimentary. Evenings can be spent off the ship in traditional Croatian taverns known as konobas, or in Montenegrin villages, as optional add-ons.
Filippos Venetopoulos, the line's CEO, framed the route as being about depth rather than distance — helping guests understand the stories and cultures of waters that have drawn people for thousands of years. That pitch fits the ship: with 34 passengers, you're not queuing with thousands to get ashore, and you can reach harbours and bays that big vessels physically can't enter.
For travellers, this is a solid alternative to the packed summer cruise circuit in Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coast. It suits couples and solo travellers who want island-hopping without the logistics of ferries and car hire, and anyone keen on swimming, light activity and food-and-wine experiences over onboard entertainment. The only caveat is capacity — at 34 guests a week, cabins on desirable summer dates will go fast once 2027 bookings open.
