Offbeat cruise ports offer escapes from the crowds

Travelers seeking respite from crowded ports can find it in eight little-known cruise stops that promise quieter harbors and more intimate experiences. The trend comes as travelers look beyond megaship itineraries to smaller brands that anchor at lesser-known destinations, offering a different tempo for coastal exploration and cultural immersion.

The list features Vis in Croatia; Collioure in southern France; the San Blas Islands of Panama; Sæbø in Norway; Yakushima in Japan; Portovenere in Italy's Liguria; Curieuse in the Seychelles; and Sifnos in Greece. Each destination presents its own appeal, from ancient ruins and windswept harbors to pristine reefs, hiking terraces, and slow-paced village life that travelers across Europe and beyond crave when the ships depart.

Vis, Croatia, offers a quieter counterpoint to Dubrovnik’s crowds. The island has recently drawn attention after ranking high on travel outlets’ Not Hot List, signaling rising but still-manageable interest. Visitors can retreat to Stiniva Beach, a cove defined by white pebbles and cobalt water framed by towering cliffs, or wander Vis Town, where archaeological artefacts dating to 400 BC hint at the island’s long history. To the west, Komiža provides seafood-focused taverns and a laid-back vibe that makes for easy evenings after a day of coastal exploration. Cruise Croatia’s seven-night itinerary includes Omis, Trogir or Split, Vis, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet National Park, Slano/Ston and Dubrovnik, with prices that position Vis as a highlight for travelers seeking a gentler pace than the crowds at more famous Croatian ports.

Collioure, France, is a postcard-perfect, understated gem on the Côte Vermeille. The pastel-hued town, once a muse for Matisse and Picasso, offers a compact trio of highlights: the 13th-century Château Royal, the restored 14th-century windmill Moulin de la Cortina, and the pink-domed church Église Notre-Dame des Anges perched above a harbor shaded by bobbing boats. The surrounding vineyards produce rich red wines, inviting visitors to linger over tastings in Collioure’s historic center. A six-night cruise with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection visits Nice, Calvi and Ajaccio in Corsica, Saint-Tropez, Collioure, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, presenting a refined path for travelers who want elegant seafaring paired with Mediterranean culture.

The San Blas Islands of Panama, a chain of roughly 378 cays, remain a rarity on Caribbean itineraries despite their white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and vibrant coral reefs. Snorkelers can encounter dolphins, sharks and manta rays while exploring reefs in shallow waters, and the Kuna (Guna) people preserve a distinctive culture that offers a quieter counterpoint to typical cruise stops. Windstar Cruises’ six-night voyage includes Balboa (Panama City), the Panama Canal, Bocas del Toro, San Blas, Cartagena and Oranjestad, giving travelers a tropical escape with a focus on intimate, less-visited ports. Prices begin in the mid-range for luxury small-ship itineraries.

Sæbø, Norway, sits along Hjørundfjord and offers the natural beauty of the fjords with far fewer crowds than the better-known Geirangerfjord or Naustdal routes. The village serves as a base for hiking in the Sunnmøre Alps, kayaking among calm inlets, and even a floating sauna experience followed by a bracing dip in cool water. Hurtigruten’s 14-night voyage traverses a sweeping route—Hamburg, Stavanger (Lysefjord), Bergen, Inner Coastal Route, Træna, Senja, Honningsvåg (North Cape), Tromsø, Reine (Lofoten), Bessaker, Hjørundfjord, Karmøy and Hamburg—offering all-inclusive packages that appeal to travelers seeking immersive nature travel away from crowded urban ports.

Yakushima, Japan, presents a pristine, mountainous alternate to busier Okinawa or Kyushu destinations. This UNESCO World Heritage Site off Kyushu’s southern coast preserves one of Japan’s oldest cedar forests, with ancient trees dating back thousands of years. The Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine’s trails inspired Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, adding a cultural layer to an island nearly synonymous with quiet hiking and misty scenery. Snorkeling, scuba diving, wildlife watching and onsen (hot springs) complement the boat-based view of Yakushima’s rugged coastline. Ponant’s eight-night cruise calls at Osaka, Tamano, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Beppu, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Yakushima, Nagasaki and Busan, showcasing a long, slow approach to an offbeat destination.

Portovenere in Liguria is easy to overlook beside the famed Cinque Terre, yet it rewards visitors with dramatic cliffs, medieval architecture, and a strong culinary sense centered on Ligurian pesto and trofie pasta. The town’s fortress-like chapels and the Grotta di Byron—where Lord Byron reportedly swam to visit friends in Lerici—emphasize its literary and maritime heritage. Hiking along the Portovenere Natural Park toward Cinque Terre National Park offers a connective, scenic route for active travelers. A five-night cruise with Four Seasons Yachts includes Monte Carlo, Portovenere, Porto Cervo (Sardinia), French Riviera (Marina Day), Bandol and Monte Carlo, with suites priced at a premium for a luxury, intimate port rotation.

Curieuse, in the Seychelles, remains a relatively unspoiled oasis, with a stark red soil palette and coco de mer palms framing a coastline of mangroves and coral reefs. A wild population of about 250 giant tortoises roams Curieuse; a tortoise nursery and nature trails offer up-close nature experiences, while snorkeling and diving reveal vibrant coral ecosystems. Variety Cruises’ seven-night voyage covers Mahe (Victoria, Inter Island Quay), St. Anne, Curieuse, Cousin Island, Anse Lazio (Praslin), Aride, St. Pierre, Baie St. Anne (Praslin), Felicite or Grand Sœur, La Digue, Moyenne Island and Mahe, delivering an authentic island-hopping itinerary that emphasizes ecological and cultural immersion. Prices are accessible for a boutique-ship itinerary rather than a mass-market cruise.

Sifnos, Greece, sits in the Cyclades just west of better-known Mykonos and Santorini, offering a different Greek island experience steeped in tradition. The island has a long history of pottery, and visitors can discover earthenware studios in villages such as Kastro and Artemonas. Architectural highlights include the small chapel of Seven Martyrs, the Monastery of Chrissopigi, and the golden sands of Platis Gialos beach. Seadream Yacht Club’s seven-night itinerary sails from Athens (Piraeus) to Hydra, Sifnos, Santorini, Patmos, Naxos, Mykonos and back to Athens, delivering an intimate, high-service experience that contrasts with larger ships’ typical schedules.

Taken together, these eight ports underscore a broader trend in cruising: smaller ships and bespoke itineraries that prioritize pace, authenticity and fewer crowds. For travelers who have grown fatigued by the crush at widely marketed ports, these options offer the chance to linger longer in places where local culture, cuisine and landscape can be savored without the constant hum of large crowds. As brands expand collaborations with boutique destinations and regional operators, the list of offbeat stops continues to grow, inviting adventurous travelers to redefine what a “cruise” can be in the 2020s and beyond.