Spirit of Adventure blog

Arrival to Split can be complicated with all the morning traffic from ferries entering and leaving the harbour. As standard practice we tend to book a Pilot 1 hour before we expect to be all fast alongside. The best practice in Split is to book a pilot at 20 past in order to avoid all of the ferry movements. A short pilotage and docking – all safely achievable in half an hour. The Pilot remembered me from my last visit in November.

Once alongside Simon and I conducted the pier inspection and greeted the local tour guides and guests going on tours. Jackson, our Saga World Consultant, escorted a tour to Krka, Skradin and Trogir and came back with some amazing photos. On the way back to the Bridge, where my morning coffee waited, I took an open deck route and my coffee was delayed by a series of very pleasant chats with guests I haven’t yet had an opportunity to meet. Perfect timing, if I may say so…the guests I met were the very ones who wanted to explore Split on their own.

I live in Rijeka, but my knowledge of Split is great as I spent the first half of my cadetship on ferries connecting the islands from Split. I told them where to go, which route to take, and most importantly, if they stayed past the lunch time, which restaurant or tavern to go to and what food they should order.

I had my lunch planned ashore with local musical mates, unfortunately those plans had to be changed as my friends booked a last minute gig so cancelling our get-together. I had spoken about my lunch plans with Cruise Director Jo and Guest Services Director Liezel, apologising for not being able to take them out and show them around, so when my original plans went down the drain, it took us all of 15 minutes to arrange a new plan. I took them both out for a stroll down the waterfront and to a tavern called Fife, which is famous for its seafood. I ordered a tray (a rather large one) of calamari with mangold on the side. A glistening tray was the only thing left standing.

I bid the ladies farewell and headed back on board in order to let Simon have some time off as well.

Kind Regards
Captain Franko Papić