Day 24

After a surprisingly decent night’s sleep (a rare gem this deep into a cruise), I decided to take advantage of one last chance to enjoy breakfast in the dining room, while Ted stayed loyal to the buffet. I also made a tactical outfit choice today — gym clothes instead of regular ones. After the sweltering heat in Kotor, I wasn’t taking any chances. Bonus: no laundry needed later.

Once again, we were among the first to disembark, stepping into our 70th country for me and 66th for Ted — a stat we’re both quietly thrilled about. The heat greeted us early, though thankfully not nearly as intense as the scorcher we endured in Montenegro. Our initial walk from the cruise terminal to the heart of Split wasn’t exactly inspiring — a stretch of modern, utilitarian buildings — but once we reached the Old Town, everything changed.

Split’s Old Town is centred around the ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, built in the 4th century AD as a retirement home for the Roman emperor himself. It’s more than just a historic site — it’s a living, breathing part of the city, with shops, cafés, apartments, and even churches embedded into the ancient stonework. We wandered into Peristyle Square, where Roman columns and arches frame the square like a movie set. Nearby stands the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, considered the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world still holding its original structure. Its bell tower soared above the square, casting long shadows over the cobbled plaza below.

Next, we made our way to Republic Square (Prokurative), a bold and elegant plaza with red Venetian-style facades and arched walkways opening onto the sea. It was peaceful in the morning but apparently comes alive in summer with open-air concerts and performances.

Keen for a panoramic view, we took the scenic stair route up to a lookout on Marjan Hill, known as the “lungs of Split” for its pine-covered slopes. The climb was steep, but the sweeping views — terracotta rooftops, the Adriatic Sea, and our cruise ship docked in the harbour — were well worth it. We descended via Boticevo šetalište, a shaded path lined with pine trees and glimpses of the sea.

Back at the base, we arrived at the Riva promenade, a breezy, palm-lined stretch perfect for people-watching. We cooled off with iced coffees at Brasserie on Seven, a stylish waterfront café popular with both locals and visitors. With yachts and fishing boats bobbing in the marina just metres away, it was pure Mediterranean magic.

Tucked into a quieter corner, we came across the statue of Marko Marulić, the “father of Croatian literature,” and later admired the enormous bronze sculpture of Gregory of Nin — a 10th-century bishop believed to bring good luck if you rub his toe.

Before heading back, we took one last stroll through the palace corridors and explored some local markets, full of fresh fruit, souvenirs, and tempting little trinkets. Once again, we were thankful for our early start — the crowds had grown thick, the heat heavier, and we passed several cruise friends just setting out as we were wrapping up.

All aboard was set for 3:30 p.m., and with so many still out wandering the laneways, I imagine a few made a very close call. As for us, we returned to the ship feeling like we’d made the most of Split — without the chaos.

So in other words… once the heat and crowds became oppressive, we decided it was time to split from Split. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.)

After getting back onboard, Ted managed to reserve one of the cabanas in the Hollywood Conservatory — hands down one of the best places to unwind on the ship. Quiet, spacious, and with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea, it’s a great spot to kick back and take in the view without the usual deck crowds.

Eventually, we made our way back to the room to shower and begin the inevitable task of packing up for disembarkation tomorrow. We kept things relaxed — throwing clothes into suitcases, watching a few episodes of Modern Family on the ship’s internal channel, and soaking in the last of our balcony views over Split.

As the ship pulled away from the port, the familiar Love Boat theme played over the loudspeakers — something Princess Cruises does for every departure. A little cheesy? Sure. But with a nod to the classic cast via a plaque onboard and reruns available 24/7, it’s part of the cruise’s charm and tradition. And after two weeks aboard, it’s hard not to smile at the sound.

Later on, we met up with Kuamane and Nicholas for drinks by the Hollywood Pool, enjoying the warm evening air. Then it was on to Bellini’s for another round with Troy and Ken before all four of us grabbed dinner together at Alfredo’s Pizzeria. It was the perfect low-key send-off to what’s been a pretty incredible trip at sea.

We’ve had a great time on this cruise — plenty of laughs, new places, and good company. But with Trieste waiting for us tomorrow, we’re both ready for the next leg of the journey. Time to swap waves for wheels and see what’s next.Leggi altro