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‘Have Mask, Will Travel’ – Cruisers Take to the Water in Age Of Social Distancing as Katarina Line Ramps Up 2020 Season

Safety First! Increased Health Protocols Help Travelers Safely Satisfy ‘Pent-Up Wanderlust’ Aboard Croatia’s Small Ship Cruisers. (Picture: Passengers aboard the Adriatic Sun)

Croatia’s premier small ship cruise company Katarina Line is reporting brisk bookings since launching its 2020 season, following Croatia’s reopening of borders to visitors. The company says that pent-up demand after months of government lockdown due to COVID-19 is helping to fuel the positive trend. Confidence in the cruise experience is also a factor, with passengers wanting a safe environment that includes the observance of all necessary health protocols, such as cleaning and disinfecting of public surfaces onboard, as well as the use of facial covering and social distancing, when appropriate. Customers also want assurances of a flexible booking policy that allows them to reschedule their cruise, should it be cancelled due to government regulations. These are all features of a Katarina Line cruise.

“After months of sheltering at home, people want to travel again, but they want to do so safely,” says Daniel Hauptfeld, marketing director for Katerina Line. “Our clients know they can book us with confidence and enjoy a worry-free holiday. All of our ships have been thoroughly inspected, with increased cleaning and disinfectant procedures in place to ensure the utmost health and wellbeing of every guest.”

All in the Family

In addition to the growing popularity of small ship cruising, Katarina Line credits its success to long-term industry partnerships that include many family-owned vessels, such as the 36-passenger new-built Adriatic Sun. Owned by the Vuković family, the deluxe superior vessel joined the fleet in 2018 and cruises some of Katarina Line’s most popular routes, including Opatija, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Zagreb.

“The Vuković family is one of our many loyal partners,” says Hauptfeld. “Along with our travel agent partnerships, they are helping us to build a reputation for quality that continues to win recognition and awards.”

Katarina Line cruises feature guaranteed weekly departures, with convenient and seamless transfers to all of its customizable land tours. Its fleet ranges from luxury Deluxe Superior cruisers with a capacity of up to 36 passengers to intimate gullets that cater to as few as seven passengers.

About Katarina Line

Katarina is the premier small ship cruise company with a fleet of 60 ship and weekly guaranteed departures from the end of April to mid-October. It operates out of the major tourist centers of Opatija, Split and Dubrovnik. With a growing fleet in six different categories, the company serves more than 110,000 clients that include 30,000 cruise guests of all ages and budgets. Katarina Line itineraries give travelers the opportunity to explore the stunning natural environment and picturesque Mediterranean towns of Croatia while hopping from one island to another, offering guests unique opportunity to experience the true Croatia. The company enjoys an exceptional relationship with travel agents, which account for more than 98% of all bookings worldwide. Katarina line is a member of many different travel associations, including USTOA, ASTA, NTA, ACTA, RDA, STAN and ETOA. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-485-3121 or visit www.katarina-line.com.