World: Offbeat cruise ports offer refuge from crowds

Cruise travelers are increasingly seeking off-the-beaten-path ports to escape overcrowded hotspots, industry observers say, as itineraries tilt toward intimate harbors and pristine corners of the globe.

Eight stops highlighted by travel outlets offer a mix of coastal charm, rugged landscapes and cultural glimpses away from the crowds. The list includes Vis in Croatia; Collioure in France; the San Blas Islands in Panama; Sæbø in Norway; Yakushima in Japan; Portovenere in Italy; Curieuse in Seychelles; and Sifnos in Greece.

Vis, Croatia, has begun turning heads as travelers look beyond Dubrovnik and Hvar. The small island has drawn attention after placing fourth on Intrepid Travel’s 2026 Not Hot List, signaling growing curiosity about its restrained, less-touristed shores. Visitors can explore Stiniva Beach, famed for its white pebbles, cobalt water and high cliffs, and wander Vis Town, home to archaeological artefacts dating back to 400 BC. Komiža, a western coastal village, offers fresh seafood and harbor-side charm. Cruise Croatia markets seven-night itineraries that stop at Omis, Trogir or Split, Vis, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet National Park, Slano/Ston and Dubrovnik, with prices starting at about £1,914 per person.

Collioure, tucked along the Côte Vermeille in southern France, embodies unspoiled seaside allure. The pastel-colored harbor town inspired artists such as Matisse and Picasso and remains a magnet for visitors seeking crisp sea breezes, medieval architecture and wine-drenched evenings. Highlights include the 13th-century Château Royal, the windmill Moulin de la Cortina, and the pink-domed Église Notre-Dame des Anges. A six-night Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection itinerary includes Collioure along with Nice, Calvi, Ajaccio, Saint-Tropez, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, with prices starting around £6,900 per person for a suite.

The San Blas Islands of Panama comprise roughly 378 islets and cays that rarely feature on Caribbean itineraries. Their untouched white sands, palm-fringed shores and coral reefs offer snorkeling amid dolphins, sharks and manta rays, while the Kuna (Guna) people preserve rich traditions. Windstar Cruises markets a six-night cruise that calls at Balboa (Panama City), the Panama Canal, Bocas del Toro, San Blas, Cartagena and Oranjestad, with rates from about $2,499 per person.

Sæbø sits on the edge of Hjørundfjord, a quiet inlet in Norway’s fjord country, offering the natural beauty of the region without the crush of typical fjord routes. Hiking the Sunnmøre Alps yields sweeping fjord views, and kayaking or a floating sauna provide other ways to soak in the landscape. Hurtigruten’s 14-night itinerary along the Inner Coastal Route, including Hamburg, Stavanger, Bergen, Træna, Senja, Honningsvåg, Tromsø, Reine (Lofoten), Bessaker, Hjørundfjord and Hamburg, is priced from about €4,490 per person.

Yakushima, Japan, stands as a remote, rugged counterpoint to better-known destinations like Hakone. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its cedar forests, including trees believed to be more than 7,000 years old. Visitors hike in Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, snorkel or dive amid rich reefs, and relax in onsen after days of exploration. Ponant’s eight-night voyage travels from Osaka to Busan, with calls at Tamano, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Beppu, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Yakushima, finishing with Nagasaki, at prices starting around £6,550 per person.

Portovenere, in Liguria near the Cinque Terre, remains a quieter Italian Riviera jewel. The village is known for its colorful houses perched above the sea, medieval gates and sea-to-table dining. Active visitors can follow hiking trails through Portovenere Natural Park into the Cinque Terre National Park, while culture buffs can explore the Church of San Pietro and Byron’s Cave, where Lord Byron reportedly swam across the gulf. A Five-night Four Seasons Yachts itinerary visits Monte Carlo, Portovenere, Porto Cervo, the French Riviera, Bandol and Monte Carlo, with suites starting around $20,200 per party.

Curieuse, a pristine Seychelles island, is a lesser-visited counterpart to La Digue and Praslin. It’s known for its fiery-red soil, coco de mer palms and a population of about 250 giant tortoises. The island preserves mangrove swamps and wildlife-rich trails ideal for nature walks, snorkeling and birdwatching. Variety Cruises offers a seven-night voyage calling at Mahe (Victoria), St. Anne, Curieuse, Cousin Island, Anse Lazio (Praslin), Aride and other Seychelles stops, with prices from €1,175 per person.

Sifnos in Greece’s Cyclades remains favored by food lovers and pottery enthusiasts. The island’s whitewashed houses and winding lanes frame a culinary tradition highlighted by local earthenware crafts. Notable sites include the church of Seven Martyrs, the Monastery of Chrissopigi, and Platis Gialos beach, while hiking and village strolls reveal a slower pace than nearby Mykonos or Santorini. Seadream Yacht Club anchors a seven-night cruise from Athens (Piraeus) to Hydra, Sifnos, Santorini, Patmos, Naxos and Mykonos, returning to Athens, with fares from about £5,455 per person.

Across these itineraries, travel industry observers note a broader shift toward smaller ships and intimate ports. The strategy aims to deliver authentic experiences in less-crowded settings while preserving the appeal of island-hopping and coastal exploration that has defined the cruising life for decades. Analysts caution, however, that availability and pricing can vary with seasonal demand and operator capacity, so travelers are advised to plan well in advance if they wish to access these lesser-known harbors.

World travelers increasingly favor these quieter stops not just for crowd avoidance but for the chance to encounter local character, natural beauty and slow-paced itineraries that longer stays in major hubs often cannot accommodate. As cruise lines expand partnerships with boutique operators and tailor itineraries to niche interests—whether gastronomy, history, or nature—these eight ports illustrate how the sea can still surprise even the most seasoned travelers.