We spent July & August 2012 cruising Montenegro, Croatia, and the northern part of the Italian Adriatic coast. We are a USA flagged vessel and we offer the following information to assist those in our wake:

Montenegro – July 2012

Montenegro Harbormaster required Certificate of Competency to grant us entry. As a USA flagged vessel and US citizens we did not have one. He refused entry but would have allowed us to stay on the customs berth to refuel and provision if we needed to.

Croatia – July 2012

We entered at Cavtat and had the quickest and easiest entry we’ve had in our 9 years of cruising (less than a half hour including finding an ATM). We found the costs for the cruising permit and associated fees ($408) for a 14m boat to be comparable to what we paid in Turkey to enter and exit. Fuel, provisioning, and dining out were all reasonably priced – less than Turkey, Greece or Italy.

Italy, Venice – August 2012

We entered Italy at Venice. We berthed at the Vento di Venezia Marina which is very convenient to touring Venice. We paid 70 Euro a day for a 14m boat – the marina has a bar, restaurant, self-service laundry, and decent shower facilities. We recommend it.

Clearing into Italy (US Flagged boat arriving from Non-EU country) was a little trickier. After 3 days of perseverance, we found the office which cleared us in, the boat, and immigration. It is the Polizia di Frontiera Presso Scalo Marittimo ed Aereo di Venezia. It is located near the Port Authority and cruise ship terminal. Take the water bus (4.2) from the marina (Certosa stop) to the first Piazzale Roma stop. Turn right and cross the pedestrian bridge. The office is in the red brick building in amongst the trees on the right. Customs is not located at Punta della Salute (it is now a museum), nor is the harbour master’s office across from Punta della Salute the correct one for yachts entering the country.

Italy, Ancona – August 2012

We chose Ancona as our staging point for inland travels to Florence, Pisa, and Rome because it is centrally located. We left our boat at Marina Dorica which is very nice and well protected. The train station is less than a mile from the marina and there is a bus that picks up at the marina and takes you directly to the train station. Train travel in Italy is efficient and economical.

Chay, Katie, & Jamie McWilliam

s/v Esprit