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 that 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 worthy of its standing, 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 in 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. For instance, cultural anthropologists have determined that 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 mystical. Luckily, for cruise lovers, Easter Island is a fantastic destination to visit via ship whether that be aboard an expedition ship or a cruise line. Worth noting, travelers will likely dock at nearby Hanga Roa port before being transferred by tender service.

In addition to its obvious historical appeal, Easter Island is also 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 is a vacation spot in its own right. Soaring jagged coastlines, rare arctic creatures and a cozy capital city all 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 two 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 such as 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. For example, the region’s capital city Tórshavn shares its name with Thor, the Norse god of thunder. The charming 10th century city 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 will include stops in other 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 could 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 also 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 of the city where they’ll find Monsopiad Cultural Village, a place that offers a glimpse of life inside a traditional Kadazan village, a group indigenous to Sabah. Or, for a local option that’s closer to the port, cruise-goers can explore the region’s coastal stilt villages, home to Ubian, Suluk, Iranun and Bajau peoples. 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, 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 still 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. Sadly, much of the original structure was destroyed during World War II’s Battle of Okinawa. However, the site was reconstructed throughout 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 even 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. New to the island in 2022, Okinawa recently 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 of big names like Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Princess all list the destination on their websites.

About the Author

Senior Editor for VAX VacationAccess and world explorer, Jenna loves writing about all things travel. When she’s not busy creating content, she spends her time exploring the great outdoors, cuddling with her two black cats and researching her next big (sometimes strange) adventure.