Less-Traveled Cruise Destinations Worth Exploring

The Greek Islands, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mexican Riviera … what do all these destinations have in common? If you answered they’re some of the world’s most popular cruise destinations, you’d be correct. And while each of the above is incredible and totally worth visiting, avid cruisers might be on the lookout for something a little more off the beaten path.

For those instances, we’ve selected four less-traveled cruise destinations that are worth exploring. Whether they’re on the hunt for a tropical retreat or a cold-weather escape, these vacation spots will satisfy travelers’ taste for adventure.   

Easter Island, Chile

Perhaps one of the most iconic images of travel, the moai of Easter Island evoke a sense of wonder with their strong brows, shapely jawlines and elongated features. Almost 1,000 of these massive statues are scattered throughout the tiny islet, towering at 13 feet tall and weighing nearly 14 tons, their uniqueness attracting nearly 100,000 tourists each year.

As a child, Easter Island was part of a budding bucket list in my mind that could simply be categorized as “mysterious far-flung places” joined by the likes of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Bermuda Triangle and Area 51. However, now, thanks to a lot more knowledge of ancient cultures and civilizations, many of these places aren’t quite as mysterious as they once seemed. For instance, cultural anthropologists have determined the “heads” on Easter Island are the product of the Rapa Nui people, a group from Eastern Polynesia that settled in the region around 700 A.D. and carved the moai from volcanic rock in honor of their ancestors.

However, while the case might be “cracked,” that doesn’t make these impressive creations any less majestic for travelers. And, luckily for cruise lovers, Easter Island is a fantastic destination to visit via ship, whether that be aboard an expedition ship or cruise line.

In addition to its obvious historical appeal, Easter Island is a great spot for active travelers with no shortage of opportunities for kayaking, surfing, diving, mountain biking and horseback riding. The island is also home to the beautiful Anakena Beach.

Faroe Islands, Kingdom of Denmark

Oftentimes a pitstop for cruise-goers traveling between Europe and Iceland, the Faroe Islands are a vacation spot in their own right. Soaring jagged coastlines, rare arctic creatures and a cozy capital city set this rocky archipelago apart from other, more-traveled destinations.

As Conde Nast Traveler put it, “think of them (the Faroe Islands) as Iceland’s quirky cousin,” and, it’s true, the icy retreats do share some similarities. For instance, both destinations boast Insta-worthy scenery in the form of rolling green hills, rushing waterfalls and moody shorelines. The two also share some wildlife unique to chillier parts of the globe such as Arctic puffins, fluffy white sheep, wild horses and a variety of marine life like whales and gray seals. However, unlike Iceland, and other nearby Nordic countries for that matter, the Faroe Islands are a lot less crowded with around 110,000 visitors each year.

Throughout the destination, travelers will notice hints of the Faroe Islands’ Nordic roots. The region’s capital city Tórshavn shares its name with Thor, the Norse god of thunder, and features a collection of grass-roofed houses, colorful storefronts and even the remnants of a 17th-century fortress to explore.

Many cruises to the Faroe Islands include stops in additional North Atlantic destinations such as Scotland and Iceland. Tórshavn is the most popular cruise port in the area.

Kota Kinabalu (Borneo), Malaysia

Culture, nature and city life collide in beautiful Kota Kinabalu (KK). Located on the western coast of Sabah, this peaceful Malaysian paradise is ripe with lush greenery, crystal clear waters and white sand beaches that rival even the finest of the West Indies. Whether KK acts as their main destination, or if they’re just making a pitstop, sailors voyaging the South China Sea love this lesser-known destination for its incredible seafood, vibrant nightlight and easy access to the world-famous Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo and Malaysia.

In addition to the sights listed above, KK is home to a variety of colorful mosques and temples the most famous of which include Pu Toh Si Temple, the State Mosque and Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. For more culture, travelers can make their way 30 minutes outside the city to Monsopiad Cultural Village for a glimpse at life inside a traditional Kadazan village. Or, for an option that’s closer to the port, cruise-goers can explore the region’s coastal stilt villages. Note: it’s recommended travelers visit the stilt villages as part of an organized tour group.

Who doesn’t love a good beach? KK and the surrounding area are rich in beautiful beaches. Sunset lovers will catch the most colorful hues at Tanjung Aru, while Tuaran’s Pantai Dalit is popular for its world-class facilities and Manukan Island is a favorite amongst snorkelers. However, for fans of reality TV, there’s one beach that should be at the top of their radar, Pulau Tiga, aka Survivor Island, a secluded beach that acted as the backdrop for Survivor: Borneo.

Okinawa Island, Japan

A member of the Japanese archipelago, Okinawa Island is an under-the-radar cruise destination with dreamy beaches, great food, unique shops and its very own castle. Yup, I said castle. Okinawa operated as an independent country named the Ryukyu Kingdom for many years before becoming a prefecture of Japan in 1879. And, while much time has passed, travelers can catch a glimpse of the islands’ royal history when they visit Shuri Castle (also called Shurijo Castle), a colorful monument that once acted as a royal palace. While much of the original structure was destroyed during World War II’s Battle of Okinawa, the site was reconstructed in the early 90s and is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sailors looking to soak up some rays from the comfort of a white, dare I say pinkish, sand beach are in luck as this subtropical islet is home to hundreds of beaches. Not to mention, with plenty of nearby remote islands ready to explore, Okinawa Main Island acts as a great base for island hopping. Underground, a magical experience awaits at Gyokusendo Cave, a three-mile subterranean wonderland with impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Cruise-goers hoping to see Gyokusendo’s beauty for themselves can do so when they visit Okinawa World, a theme park dedicated to the region’s history, culture and nature with exclusive access to the caverns.

Of course, no visit to Japan would be complete without partaking in some classic video game goodness. In 2022, Okinawa opened Pokémon Center Okinawa, a shop and museum dedicated to the much-beloved franchise that sells exclusive Pokémon items unique to the Okinawa branch. Gotta catch ‘em all.  

Ships traveling to this island retreat are likely to dock in Naha, the capital city of the Okinawa prefecture. And, finding a cruise line with itineraries in Okinawa shouldn’t be too difficult as many big names like Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Princess list the destination on their websites.