FOREIGN VESSELS ON CRUISE IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
January – December 2024

In 2024, more vessels on cruise sailed across the waters of the Croatian Adriatic Sea with more passengers on board than in 2023

In 2024, foreign vessels on cruise realised an increase of 13.9% in journeys in the waters of the Croatian Adriatic Sea with 20.8% more passengers on board compared to 2023. Moreover, in 2024, foreign vessels on cruise spent more time in Croatia, by 14.7% compared to 2023.

A total of 86 foreign vessels on cruise arrived in Croatian seaports

In 2024, there were 86 foreign vessels on cruise that arrived in Croatian seaports, which made 736 journeys. There were 1.0 million passengers on board who stayed in the Republic of Croatia for 1 690 days.

In 2024, foreign vessels on cruise sailed under the flags of 15 countries. As usual, the highest number of journeys of foreign vessels on cruise was realised under the flag of Malta, as many as 227 journeys, which accounted for 30.8% of the total journeys realised in 2024. These were followed by journeys of foreign vessels realised under the flags of the Bahamas (194 journeys), Panama (76 journeys) and Norway (58 journeys).

The highest number of cruises in September, October and July 2024

Out of a total of 736 journeys of foreign vessels on cruise, the highest number was realised in September (119 journeys), October (115 journeys) and July (113 journeys), which accounted for a total of 47.1% journeys. The remaining 52.9% of journeys were realised in the remaining months of 2024. All three of the above months of 2024 recorded an increase in the number of journeys and the number of passengers as compared to the same months of the previous year.

Out of a total of 736 journeys of foreign vessels on cruise, the highest number was realised in the County of Dubrovnik-Neretva (46.6%) and the County of Split-Dalmatia (24.2%), which made up a total of 70.8% of journeys. The remaining 29.2% of journeys were realised in the following counties: Zadar (13.7%), Istria and Primorje-Gorski kotar (5.7% each) and in Šibenik-Knin (4.1%).

Dubrovnik seaport is still the most visited port

The highest number of visits of foreign vessels on cruise was realised in the seaport of Dubrovnik (513 visits), followed by the seaports of Split (331 visits), Zadar (219 visits), Hvar (118 visits), Korčula (105 visits), Šibenik (84 visits) and Rovinj (75 visits).

Notice

Detailed data are available on the website of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, under "PC-Axis databases", where it is possible to browse and print data in various forms. The databases are updated annually.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

The purpose of the statistical survey

The statistical survey is aimed at monitoring the entries of foreign cruise vessels in the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia, the number of passengers aboard and the days on which a ship stays in the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia. The results of this survey provide indicators used in the analysis of tourism in the Republic of Croatia.

Legal basis

The survey is carried out on the basis of the Official Statistics Act (NN, Nos 25/20 and 155/23).

Sources and methods of data collection

The data source for the statistical survey on cruises of foreign vessels in the Republic of Croatia is the Croatian Integrated Maritime Information System (CIMIS). The Croatian Bureau of Statistics takes over a part of the database from the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, after which it performs further processing.

Among other data, ships submit information on the ship, journey and passengers to this system through authorised maritime agents and shippers. The accuracy and completeness of the data in the official proceedings of registration is verified by harbour master’s offices.

Coverage and comparability

Observation unit for this survey is a foreign vessel on a tourist cruise journey that enters the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia.

In the tables 1, 2 and 3, the data on foreign cruise vessels include only seaports of the first entry of the foreign cruise vessel into the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia.

In the Graph G-2, the data on visits of foreign cruise vessels include all seaports visited by these vessels during their stay in the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia. Visits to seaports are presented by statistical seaports consisting of one or more ports, normally controlled by harbour master’s branch offices able to record ship and cargo movements.

Definitions

Cruise vessel means a passenger ship intended to provide passengers with pleasure of journey and facilities for entertainment aboard (luxurious atmosphere, adventures, education, culture, entertainment, sports activities, wellness or recreation) rather than transport of persons from one seaport to another. It is equipped for a multi-day stay of passengers aboard and must provide food, drinks and accommodation services. On its journey, a foreign cruise vessel stops at seaports that are interesting tourist destinations.

Journey is an entry of a foreign cruise vessel at the first seaport of the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia.

Visit is an entry of a foreign cruise vessel at every seaport of the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia.

Passengers on board are persons who arrived by ship irrespective of their age, provided that they are not crew members.

Sojourns represent a total number of days a ship spends in the territorial sea of the Republic of Croatia.

Flag of vessel represents the country in which a ship was registered, that is, entered in the ship’s registry and complies with its legislation.

Statistical seaport consists of one or more ports, normally controlled by harbour master’s branch offices able to record ship and cargo movements.

Abbreviations

Symbols

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80
Phone: (+385 1) 48 06 111
Press corner: press@dzs.hr

Persons responsible:
Edita Omerzo, Director of Spatial Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Ivana Brozović and Gordana Šiklić

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