Mediterranean Iconic Shores Ocean Cruise

Day 16: Friday, November 14, 2025 - Dubrovnik, Croatia

The day's statistics:
-  Weather:
-  Steps: Linda: 9,312; Steve: 10,197

We were back in Croatia! It's been three years since our Passage to Eastern Europe River Cruise, but we ARE back.
The day began with: wake up, shower, breakfast, get ready to head out.

This morning's 8:45 excursion was called "Dubrovnik Walking Tour".
The excursion was too early for a casual breakfast in The Restaurant, so we did the typical World Café thing, then washed up, collected what we needed, and headed out.
Our guide was Vladin (Johnny), and our driver was Evan.
Our drive started in town, and then proceeded along the coast to the old town.





During the ride we learned that while Croatia has a population of 3.9 million, Dubrovnik only has 43-thousand residents.
The bus dropped us off at the fountain in town.
Across the street was a Hilton hotel that was built in 1897.


It seems someone was taking a picture of their small traveling companion - a doll - on the fountain...

The group headed toward the old town, crossed over the drawbridge, entered the gate, and proceeded in.



On one of the walls on the ramp heading into the town were a map of the city, with a map of damage spots on another map next to it. The damaged was from an "aggression" in 1991-1992 from the Yugoslov army, the Serbs, and Montenegrans.


Pharmacy Standing rock.
There were some Christmas decoration up already too.
As we walked down the main street - that cut the city in half, north and south - there were quite a few alleys heading to either side.




Eventually we got to the middle - lengthwise - of the street. Every street stone is rectangular - some mroe than others - except for one. This one. This is supposed to be the center marker.


On the corner was an ATM machine. Johnny told us about the different between Bank Machines - good - and ATM machines - bad. ATMs have high fees and high conversion rates.
At this point we headed south into the shopping district (but not to shop).






The Jesuit Stairs are modeled after the Spanish Steps in Rome - though it might be the other way around...

We continued on.



We entered a plaza with The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the far end, and the Rector's Palace on the side.






To the left while looking at the Rector's Palace was this statue. Johnny told us that people like to touch the statue - as evidenced by the polished areas - that the only thing you'll get from the statue is international germs.

And continuing on away from the Cathedral.



Around the corner on the left in this direction was Saint Blaise's Church.


As we made our journey to the Dominican Monastery Museum, I happened to notice that there were two fellow travelers that had white "grocery bags" with them. Since we hadn't had a chance to shop yet, I felt this was something that they probably brought with them. From the ship. Hmm.



























After the Monastery Museum, Johnny took us back to the plaza in front of Saint Blaise's Church.


At this point, Johnny told us about the rest of the afternoon, and that we had the option of returning to the fountain and leaving with him and our bus at 11:30, or we were welcome to stay in town as long as we wanted and return on the shuttle bus. Some bid Johnny good-bye - they were assumedly staying in town - and others said we'll see you later.
We were told that a block to the north is quieter and that some of Old Town's 187 restaurants' prices were much less, and one block to the south the shop prices are much less. Main street is where the money is.
There was a time that I spoke to one of the travelers with a bag (we don't remember his name at the moment) and he told me he got a lunch from the ship (this will be relevant on some other day).
We chose to go visit The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary - it was at the far end of the plaza to the left of Saint Blaise's Church.


















After our self-guided tour of the Cathedral, we exited and saw this shop to the side - some of the show was actually filmed in Dubrovnik.

Then we headed to Saint Blaise's Church, and stepped inside there. (We did it in this order in case tine didn't permit us to do more, we wanted to be sure we at least visited the Cathedral.)












What to do next... it was still too early to start to head out of town.
We went further away from the exit and went out to the actual Old Town port.

It was time to head, even if it were still a little early. At least we could take our time walking the length of the town.
We walked up the ramp, and out the gate toward the fountain that now had no one near it.


We barely waited ten minutes before boarding the bus to head back to the ship via a route along the coast.

After returning to the ship, we made our way to the cabin to drop our excursion items.
Before we headed to lunch, I stepped out onto the veranda to get a couple shots of the town.


Today's lunch was interesting, so I got some shots of it.
Linda had a pulled pork wrap, with some salad and a triangle of (possibly) feta cheese.

I also had the wrap, but also some seafood salad, and a piece of short rib. I also had a little more, and we had our usual desserts.

After our lunch, we took our glasses of wine to the Explorer's Lounge for some cards.
Between rounds, someone was in deep thought.

Also between rounds, I headed to the window - probably should have stepped out onto the deck - for a bridge shot.

We took a break from our games to head up to the [comparatively] tiny ninth deck - the sports deck, as its called.
Up on the deck was a long lawn bowling (not bocci) field; and not puctured: table tennis, shuffle board, and a putting green.

There were four coins with a plaque and a description on Deck 9 too.

We got a couple more landscape shots from this height, as well as one that inclluded the covered pool.

Tonight, at 5:30, was the Explorer's Toast / Party.
When we arrived in the atrium a little after 5:00, the ladies, in new outfits, were playing some tunes.

The Explorer's Toast reception used to be reserved for just the returning passengers, but now they just invite everyone.
Servers walk around with tiny little appetizers, and glasses of champagne.
Also, the resident musicians sang a collection of songs.

Cruise Director Michael said a few words and we had a toast.

Not long after the party, it was time for dinner.
We had our usual table 53 in The Restaunrant.
After seating, we reviewed the menu again having already reviewed it in the cabin on the TV.

Linda had the Caesar Salad (not pictured), Lamb "Mechoui", and Palacinka.


I had the Creamy Seafood Chowder (not pictured), Butter Poached Lobster, and Crème Brûlée.

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