Croatia, beware!

[rtchina]

I have kept my boat in Croatia for 3 years. This last winter we took it to Italy and returned on the 10th of April. My crusing permit expired at the end of April.
We sailed to Dubrovnik and arrived on the 17th April. I attended the port Policce at the ACI marina to get a new permit but his computer link was down so he couldn’t do it. I told him I was returning on the 14th May and he agreed that I could re-new the permit then. However, on the 14th of May, again his computer link wasn’t working and told me to go to Cavtat go get it. I had to go there anyway since I planned to leave for Croatia. We stayed overnight in the ACI marina and sailed to Cavtat, arriving at about 17.45 and presented myself to the Port Police but he asked me to come back the next day. I did and was then fined about 400 Euros for not having a valid permit. The options were, pay or they would hold my passport until the court case. I won’t go back.

 

[hornblower]

I have kept my boat in Croatia for 3 years. This last winter we took it to Italy and returned on the 10th of April. My crusing permit expired at the end of April.
We sailed to Dubrovnik and arrived on the 17th April. I attended the port Policce at the ACI marina to get a new permit but his computer link was down so he couldn’t do it. I told him I was returning on the 14th May and he agreed that I could re-new the permit then. However, on the 14th of May, again his computer link wasn’t working and told me to go to Cavtat go get it. I had to go there anyway since I planned to leave for Croatia. We stayed overnight in the ACI marina and sailed to Cavtat, arriving at about 17.45 and presented myself to the Port Police but he asked me to come back the next day. I did and was then fined about 400 Euros for not having a valid permit. The options were, pay or they would hold my passport until the court case. I won’t go back.

You should have gone to Cavtat by car for oyur permit - I have had similar experiences and have kept to the rules.

 

[maxi77]

And the lesson is never never assume that one government official will accept a concession you have been given by another government official.

Many moons ago I was an escort for an official chinese trade delegation who were being taken to see equipment operating on a cross channel ferry. They were on one trip visas, and we had even with a telex from the home office saying it was OK in principal we had to get the OK from the immigration officer on duty and get back whilst he was still on duty. In most cases the guy on the desk is 'god' and will operate by his take on the rule book no matter what any one else has told you.

This is the case pretty much the world over.

 

[nimbusgb]

or get it in writing!

 

[curlysue]

Yet another of the many tales of woe from Croatia. I'm sure its a lovely place but I wont be going.

 

[maxi77]

or get it in writing!

Often that is not enough because an individual official is in that time and place omnipotent, it is his interpretation and his alone that represents the law then and there. You may be able to get it overturned some time later but in general the system simply will reinforce their descision.

 

[Heckler]

Yet another of the many tales of woe from Croatia. I'm sure its a lovely place but I wont be going.

+1
Sailing Holidays came out of there, I suspect they had had enough.
Stu

 

[JonJon]

Don't think I'll bother going now after reading this what a bunch of airheads. The object should be to encourage tourism not to drive people away who are well meaning and trying to follow the completely fatuous rules.

 

[Tranona]

+1
Sailing Holidays came out of there, I suspect they had had enough.
Stu

It was a combination of factors Increasing bureaucracy, difficulty in getting a reliable partner, but most of all dramatic increase in costs - marina fees, food costs compared with the Ionian just down the road.

Not sure that it has affected Croatia so much as their target market is mainkand Europe - particularly Italy so the loss of a few cheapskate Brits is probably not an issue.

 

[Metabarca]

Not sure that it has affected Croatia so much as their target market is mainkand Europe - particularly Italy so the loss of a few cheapskate Brits is probably not an issue.

It used to be the norm for my Italian friends and myself to spend a month or more in Dalmatia, eating ashore every second or third night at least. Not any more: those who have not given up altogether on Croatia are now travelling like Germans: they take all their food with them and eat on board and stay well away of marinas. And believe me, Italians are treated far worse than other nationalities in Croatia, for historic reasons.

 

[Heckler]

It was a combination of factors Increasing bureaucracy, difficulty in getting a reliable partner, but most of all dramatic increase in costs - marina fees, food costs compared with the Ionian just down the road.

Not sure that it has affected Croatia so much as their target market is mainkand Europe - particularly Italy so the loss of a few cheapskate Brits is probably not an issue.

Cheapskate? not me, it used to cost me between £4k and £5k for two weeks!
Stu

 

[Tranona]

Cheapskate? not me, it used to cost me between £4k and £5k for two weeks!
Stu

Thats the point. As you have probably experienced (in the past anyway) probably half that price in the Ionian - no berthing fees, no hassles. Of course much of that is changing, which is part of the reason why I have taken the boat out of Greece.

 

[hornblower]

Croatia

It used to be the norm for my Italian friends and myself to spend a month or more in Dalmatia, eating ashore every second or third night at least. Not any more: those who have not given up altogether on Croatia are now travelling like Germans: they take all their food with them and eat on board and stay well away of marinas. And believe me, Italians are treated far worse than other nationalities in Croatia, for historic reasons.

Well we still like it here. If you follow the rules and learn the best places - we find that we are made very welcome. I even had a harbourmaster open his office especially for me out of hours to get my crew on the vignetta so I could sail off 1st thing in the morning.

 

[ccscott49]

Whats montenegro like? Heard it is nice and friendly, some peeps have gone there and have asked me to join them for a couple of weeks with the boat, from Gouvia. Also how much is diesel up there?

 

[CharlesSwallow]

Whats montenegro like? Heard it is nice and friendly, some peeps have gone there and have asked me to join them for a couple of weeks with the boat, from Gouvia. Also how much is diesel up there?

Colin,

Don't do it. For your little ship it will cost a bomb.

EDIT: OOOps, sorry, Misread your post. Don't have any experience of Montenegro. Croatia is a dog though.

Could you run around to pontoon G and show this thread to Robert on the HR. I hope it's not too late and he hasn't set off for Croatia yet!

Chas

 

[CharlesSwallow]

You should have gone to Cavtat by car for oyur permit - I have had similar experiences and have kept to the rules.

WHY? For THEIR failings? Stuff that!

They are nasty little commys and I will have no truck with them.

Chas

 

[noelex]

There seems to be a lot more instances of these bad experiences in Croatia. I am sure its only a few bad apples, but it starting to stop people wanting to visit the country. Its a pity when its a beautiful cruising ground.

 

[rtchina]

and Montengro

Permit for sailing in Montenegro is expensive and there are only a few places to visit. Bar is a Marina and Port. I had the worst steak ever in my life there. The big attraction is the fyord at Kotor, but nothing special in my opinion. Of course it is interesting to visit new places, even Albania, but life is short, some places can be avoided. On the other hand, I would like to sail to Venice!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I'm typing this from my boat in Croatia. Agree with hornblower. The cruising vignette is the one document that all the officials in Croatia always ask for so why risk going to sea without it. Cavtat is a shortish taxi/bus ride away from Dubrovnik. Personally I would have gone by road.
I see everyone is slagging off Croatia but allow me to put some perspective in here. I came to Croatia last year after 7 yrs in the W Med including seasons in South of France, Majorca and Costa Blanca. No way is Croatia as expensive as the W Med for anything and that includes moorings, fuel and eating out. The only cost on a par with some W Med locations in overnight mooring costs. Its true though that the weather seems to be more changeable than the W Med and supermarket food is average quality.
However, the one big plus compared to W Med is the cruising. The Dalmation islands are a superb cruising area and there is nothing that compares in the W Med. So, guys, I understand your frustrations with Croatia but chill out a bit

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

The cruising vignette is the one document that all the officials in Croatia always ask for so why risk going to sea without it. Cavtat is a shortish taxi/bus ride away from Dubrovnik.

+1