FOREIGN VESSELS ON CRUISE IN REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
January – December 2025

Increase in the number of foreign vessels on cruise and passengers on board in the Croatian Adriatic in 2025 compared to 2024

In 2025, the number of foreign vessels on cruise that arrived in the territorial waters of the Republic of Croatia increased compared to 2024, by 10.5%. Those vessels realised a 3.0% increase in journeys, with 1.2% more passengers on board in 2025 compared to 2024. Foreign vessels on cruise spent more time in Croatia in 2025 than in 2024, with a 2.8% increase in the total duration of their stay.

A total of 95 foreign vessels on cruise arrived in Croatian seaports in 2025

In 2025, there were 95 foreign vessels on cruise that arrived in Croatian seaports, realising 758 journeys. There were 1.1 million passengers on board those vessels. Foreign vessels on cruise stayed in the Croatian Adriatic for a total of 1 737 days.

In 2025, foreign vessels on cruise sailed under the flags of 16 countries, with the highest number of journeys realised under the flag of Malta, as many as 233, which accounted for 30.7% of the total journeys realised in 2025. These were followed by journeys of foreign vessels on cruise realised under the flags of the Bahamas (157 journeys), Panama (99 journeys) and Norway (78 journeys).

Most cruises in 2025 realised in August, July and September

Out of a total of 758 journeys of foreign vessels on cruise realised in 2025, the highest number was realised in August (128 journeys), July (125 journeys) and September (111 journeys). Those three months together accounted for 48.0% of the total realised journeys, whereas the remaining 52.0% of journeys were realised in the remaining months of 2025. Both July and August of 2025 recorded an increase in the number of cruise journeys as compared to the same months of 2024, whereas September of 2025 recorded fewer journeys than September 2024. All three of the above months of 2025 recorded an increase in the number of passengers as compared to the same months of 2024.

Out of a total of 758 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 (21.4%), which made up a total of 68.0% of journeys. The remaining 32.0% of journeys were realised in the following counties: Zadar (17.0%), Istria (5.9%), Šibenik-Knin (5.3%) and Primorje-Gorski Kotar (3.8%).

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 (557 visits), followed by the seaports of Split (315 visits), Zadar (222 visits), Korčula (125 visits), Hvar (109 visits), Rovinj (100 visits) and Šibenik (93 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, 155/23 and 124/25 – corr.).

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 are 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 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 Graph G-2, the data on the 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, passenger and cargo movements.

Definitions

Cruise vessel means a passenger ship intended to provide passengers with the 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 cruise vessel stops at seaports that are interesting tourist destinations.

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

Visit is an entry of a foreign cruise vessel into 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, passenger 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, Acting Director General

Prepared by:
Ivana Brozović and Gordana Šiklić

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