8 Secret Cruise Ports You Can't Miss

Complaints about overtourism And a wish to explore unusual locations is contributing to this trend. cruise travelers become enamored with off-the-beaten-path and surprising destinations.

The urban areas and beach destinations that travelers and cruise ships allocating time has grown more crucial following criticism from residents and worries about the environment. In certain instances, cruise vessels have been compelled to alter their docking locations because of these limitations.

Venice has prohibited big cruise ships, whereas Amsterdam is restricting vessel arrivals with an aim towards a complete prohibition by 2035. Additionally, the Mayor of Nice has suggested this measure. banning larger vessels .

To make sure travelers can still access top destinations, certain ports serve as disembarkation points from which they can journey to key cities where primary tours occur. For instance, this includes stopping at ports like Rotterdam to reach Amsterdam or Cadiz for Seville .

However, numerous cruise travelers are discovering lesser-known treasures right at the dockside ports instead of venturing farther away. Such spots tend to be quite accessible since they're typically within walking distance from the vessel, helping you save on taxi fares and bypass long lines for shuttle services.

Cruise lines are also realizing that travelers desire distinctive experiences and might appreciate quieter locations On their itinerary instead of the usual vacation destinations.

These lesser-known cruise destinations might be worthy of an extended stay instead of just being transit stops.

Nafplio

Mykonos and Santorini It might attract the focus of people on a cruise around a Greek island, however, it would be worthwhile to visit Nafplio if your cruise schedule includes it.

Located on the Greek mainland, this charming Venetian fortress town provides a more tranquil option compared to bustling Athens. Here, you can find well-preserved historical houses that have been transformed into exclusive boutique accommodations. The area also boasts distinctive local cuisine like Gkiosa, which consists of slowly roasted lamb or kid goat prepared in a traditional stone oven using wood fire.

You can explore Nafplio as part of your trip Celebrity Cruises Best of Greece Cruising with Celebrity Infinity. The cost for a trip departing from Athens on March 17 begins at £489 per person.

Read more: Best Greek islands cruises

Asturias

Perched along Spain’s frequently overlooked north coast, Asturias provides lush greenery across the Iberian Peninsula and offers numerous peaceful beaches as opposed to the busier regions of Spain.

Cruises visit the Asturias province with stops in Gijon, offering excursions to landmarks such as the Baroque Revillagigedo Palace and the statue of King Pelayo, who founded the Kingdom of Asturias—though visitors might also simply enjoy sampling the regional cider.

P&O Cruises the area during its visit Spain and France cruise onboard Britannia leaving from Southampton. The cost for an eight-night voyage starting on April 18 begins at £649 per person.

Read more: The top holiday offers from P&O Cruises

Trieste

Perched along the northeastern shoreline of Italy, Trieste Has emerged as a favored destination for big cruise ships after numerous vessels were prohibited from entering its neighbor, Venice.

Referred to as "miniature Vienna by the sea," this harbor boasts its own network of canals and holds the title of Italy’s coffee capital, providing an excellent spot for indulging in your favorite cup of joe.

MSC Cruises visits Trieste on Mediterranean sailings Excursions feature the Castle of Miramare, which was once home to Maximilian of Habsburg and Charlotte of Belgium. This seven-night cruise on board the MSC Fantasia begins and ends in Trieste, with prices starting at £1,299 for departures beginning on June 16, 2025.

Disko Island

Disko Island in Greenland is considered one of the highest rankings for travel company Intrepid Not Hot destinations.

While Canada and Iceland often receive acclaim for their snowy mountain ranges, Disko Island—or Qeqertarsuaq in Greenlandic—provides distinctive fjords, valleys, and basalt cliffs without the usual throngs of tourists. The island boasts some of the biggest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere, which visitors can marvel at most effectively aboard expedition vessels like Hurtigruten .

Hurtigruten has a 13-day The Frozen Titans of Disko Bay Journey. Prices begin at £8,652 per person, leaving on June 21st from Reykjavik. .

Read more: Why Greenland Is Worth Getting Pumped About

Cadiz

The southwestern coastal city of Cadiz Has historically been regarded primarily as a docking station for cruises heading out to explore Seville, yet it provides ample attractions and activities for visitors whose ships have docked there.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the Roman remains and the charming narrow lanes of its ancient quarters, perfect for sampling tapas and scaling the Baroque-styled Torre Tavira watchtower. Along your journey to the numerous sandy shores, you might also find delight in exploring an adorable puppet museum.

You can explore Cadiz with Princess Cruises It lasts for eight days. European Explorer Setting sail from Barcelona to Southampton starting your journey on July 10th onboard the Majestic Princess. The fares begin at £949 per individual.

Zadar

The seaside town of Croatia Zadar Is a less-frequented cruise destination but offers more tranquility compared to the busier ports of Dubrovnik and Split, making it an excellent choice for a peaceful day away from the vessel.

Cruising aboard smaller vessels offers the benefit of accessing the city’s historic downtown marina, allowing passengers to easily explore its well-preserved Roman thoroughfares and secluded bays directly from the heart of the town.

Moreover, the city center is only a 12-minute ride away via shuttle bus from Zadar’s primary cruise terminal. Among the favorite outings are hikes through Paklenica National Park, offering stunning views of dramatic canyons, hidden caves, steep cliffs, and local geological marvels referred to as skrape.

Luxury small ship brand Azamara Visiting Zadar will bring you directly to the heart of the city. This itinerary includes a 10-night stay. Croatia Intensive Voyage leaving from Athens on July 12th, with prices beginning at £2,139 per person.

Read more: The top Mediterranean cruise vacations

Bilbao

Barcelona perhaps the jewel of northern Spain, yet locals are voicing complaints about overtourism On La Rambla, a possibly more inviting alternative closer to the shore is Bilbao .

Although Barcelona boasts distinctive architecture and rich Catalan culture, Bilbao offers its own distinct charm as the biggest city in the Basque region when it comes to cruises. The city features an iconic branch of the Guggenheim Museum, breathtaking vistas from the towering Mount Artxanda which rises to 251 meters above sea level, and even a pub with a theme centered around Winston Churchill. Additionally, visitors can take guided tours through the renowned Estadio de San Mamés to delve into the history of Bilbao’s prominent football team, Athletic Bilbao.

Royal Caribbean visits Bilbao during its Northern Spain cruise On board the Independence of the Seas, a seven-day round trip leaving from Southampton starting on October 4th is available for £749 per person.

Rotterdam

Amsterdam is currently phasing out cruise ships to mitigate overtourism. As a result, many vessels now dock at different locations. Rotterdam Alternatively, passengers might still have the opportunity to visit Amsterdam, the Dutch capital. However, it’s equally worthwhile to explore Rotterdam as well.

Vessels arrive directly at the heart of the city, which is easily explorable on foot. Here, you can appreciate the distinctive Blaak cube homes and the historic harbor area. For those with an interest in finance, there’s also a museum dedicated to taxes that you might want to check out.

Set sail for Rotterdam in elegance onboard Cunard’s the latest ship, Queen Anne. It features a four-night sail to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge That leaves from Southampton on October 8, 2025, with fares beginning at £449 per person.

Read more: Top cruise offers for 2025

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