There are moments at sea that stay with a captain forever. For Captain Antun Mišić, Master of Explorer of the Seas, one such moment came this month when his ship sailed into Dubrovnik, Croatia. After 26 years at sea, it was the first time he had ever entered his hometown as captain, commanding a vessel of thousands into the very port where his own love for the ocean first began.

Captain Mišić, a proud Dubrovnik native and Master Mariner educated at the University of Dubrovnik, has built a distinguished career with Royal Caribbean International. Known among crew and guests for his professionalism and calm command, he often describes the sea as his “second home.” Although on this particular day, the power of his first home was undeniable.

Through a heartfelt personal reflection, he shared the emotional experience:

“After 26 years at sea for the very first time I sailed into my hometown of Dubrovnik. My wife honored the old Dubrovnik tradition… waving not just her hand, but towels and bed sheets. Her presence and the waves seen from afar really touched me. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of pride, thankfulness, and humility.”

That ancient maritime tradition, dating back to the Middle Ages, was once how families signaled safe return and joyful reunion when ships reached the harbor. Seeing his wife take part in that heritage from their balcony overlooking the port made the moment deeply meaningful.

And the farewell became equally unforgettable. As Explorer of the Seas eased away from the pier, his family returned once more to the balcony. His children joined in, waving with bed sheets and flashing heart-shaped signals with their hands. Simple gestures that spoke louder than words.

“For a sailor, the sea is a second home, but nothing can replace the love of family and the embrace of home.”

This personal milestone reaffirmed something far greater than the thrill of navigation or the pride of command. It reminded him of why sailors leave shore in the first place, and what inevitably pulls them back again.

A Captain Who Represents Home at Sea

Both passengers and colleagues know Captain Mišić as a leader with deep maritime roots and a warm, down-to-earth nature. Community sources and his own professional profile reflect a lifelong dedication to the maritime world, one shaped by Croatia’s rich seafaring heritage.

Yet this moment made clear that even the most seasoned mariners are still sons, husbands, and fathers. Behind every uniform and every successful voyage lies a heart anchored somewhere special.

Where the Heart Belongs

Captain Mišić describes the experience as both humbling and uplifting. Sailing into Dubrovnik was not simply a port call. It was a soul returning home. A reminder that no matter how many oceans he crosses or how far a ship may take him, home will always wait on the horizon.