Holidaymakers planning a cruise trip have been told the best destinations to visit to avoid the crowds.
Cruise experts at Panache Cruises have named ten of the most stunning cruise stops which still allow people to visit beautiful local spots without being surrounded by large crowds.
For those looking for some peace and quiet on their holiday, the remote Easter Island is packed full of history and stunning natural landscapes.
The famed ‘Molde panorama’ in Norway should not be missed either – with tourists able to admire the panoramic views of the snowy mountains whilst beating the crowds headed to the busier Oslo (Norway’s capital city).
Kiel, Germany, is home to the largest sailing event in the world and offers stunning views of the Baltic Sea – yet is not as popular as neighbouring Hamburg or Warnemünde-Rostock ports.
Kaikoura is a small town in New Zealand yet it offers cruisers who stop with many unique marine life experiences including whale watching.
And the picturesque towns of Koper in Slovenia and Opatija in Croatia are not as popular with tourists, yet still have an idyllic charm and offer a vast range of beautiful landscapes.
James Cole, founder of Panache Cruises said: “One of the great things about a cruising holiday is being able to visit several destinations in a single trip – but often stopping at some of the most busy ports in the world also means having to navigate large crowds of tourists.
“Yet there are several coastal towns which are equally as beautiful as the more popular ones, but don’t have half as many tourists – meaning you can explore each place in peace without being surrounded by too many holidaymakers.
“Choosing the right cruise itinerary which visits lesser known ports can be very important especially at peak times. This is where a specialist cruise agent can add real value.
“Consider a small ship cruise too as this will enable stops in smaller boutique ports which larger cruise ships simply cannot access.
“Venture further afield when going ashore as well and opt for shore excursions which offer peace and tranquillity.
“Some of the lesser known shore excursions may be limited in terms of capacity though so it is important to plan ahead and pre-book your excursions as far in advance as possible.
“The stunning architecture of Koper in Slovenia or the unique ‘moai’ statues on Easter Island, Chile, are perfect examples of cruise destinations for people who want to escape the crowds. They are also excellent choices for history lovers.
“The panoramic views of the mountains in Molde, Norway, is another example of a beautiful place that is overshadowed by a better known local attraction – in this case Oslo.
The majority of cruise visitors will flock to the country’s capital city and completely overlook the incredible scenery and beautiful rose gardens that Molde is less well known for.”
Here are Panache Cruises’ most beautiful cruise spots to beat the crowds:
- Kiel, Germany
Whilst most cruises stop at Hamburg and Warnemünde-Rostock ports in Germany, Kiel is a significantly less busy option in the north of the country. The city is home to the largest sailing event in the world (Kiel Week), so is a perfect destination for sea lovers. Kiel has a maritime lifestyle feel, with some fascinating maritime museums. The city’s plentiful supply of beautiful seafood restaurants on the waters edge are also a major draw for lovers of nautical fare.
- Koper, Slovenia
Koper lies on Slovenia’s Adriatic coastline, and is full of picturesque architecture within the medieval old town. Just a short walk from the port is the city centre, packed with history and charm. Slovenia has significantly fewer visitor numbers than its more popular European neighbours, but this magnificent country should definitely be one to visit.
- Molde, Norway
Nicknamed the ‘Town of the Roses’, Molde is an idyllic city in western Norway, covered in thousands of blooming, colourful flower gardens. Visitors to Molde can step away from the tourist-centric places like Norway’s capital, Oslo, and instead admire the panoramic views of over 200 snowy peaks – known locally as the ‘Molde panorama’. Molde is also close to some of Norway’s most majestic attractions, including the Scenic Route Geiranger-Trollstigen, the Romsdalseggen Ridge and The Atlantic Road.
- Easter Island, Chile
This unique island in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile, hosts almost 1,000 monumental statues, called ‘moai’. The moai are carved human figures with oversize heads which mostly rest on large stone pedestals called ‘ahus’. Created by the island’s inhabitants between the 13th and 16th centuries, the area is now a World Heritage Site. Famous for being one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, Easter Island is a great spot for cruisers looking to explore the history and culture of the land, without the tourist numbers.
- Kaikoura, New Zealand
Kaikoura’s small population makes this town the perfect place to visit for some peace and quiet. The beautiful town is sometimes called the whale watching capital of the world – offering visitors the chance to have an unique up-close encounter with these incredible animals. In 2023, Kaikoura was named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the “most beautiful small towns in the world.”
- Opatija, Croatia
This coastal town in Croatia is perfect for tourists wanting to escape the crowds of some of the more popular Croatian attractions like Dubrovnik and Split. Opatija is packed with beautiful architecture and some of the most famous Habsburg-era holiday villas from the 19th century. People also visit for the beautiful landscaped gardens, the large number of Michelin star restaurants and the stunning crystal-blue seas that are perfect for swimming in.
- Thursday Island, Australia
Thursday Island in Australia is a great example of a destination that large cruise ships cannot access. Located off mainland Australia’s northernmost point, this beautiful island delivers an abundance of natural beauty. Visitors can explore the 19th-century Green Hill Fort with commanding views across the surrounding islands and shop for locally sourced pearls. Few shore excursions offer as much from a raw natural beauty point of view.
- Trondheim, Norway
The immensely popular cruise port of Begen continues to be a major draw for cruise visitors and land based tourists alike. However, in summer Bergan’s beautiful seafront streets can become congested and difficult to navigate. Located some 400 miles to the North of Bergen, Trondheim’s vibrantly coloured buildings and beautiful local area offer a fantastic alternative to Bergen which is arguably even more beautiful.
- Nevis, St Kitts & Nevis
A 45 minute ferry ride from the more popular St Kitts, lies the beautiful Caribbean island of Nevis. Nevis offers visitors a much more sedate and relaxed experience when compared to its larger brother. The island is dominated by the beautiful Nevis Peak which rises to 3,230 feet. Not only does the island offer remarkable views across the many surrounding islands of the Leeward Island chain, its largely unspoilt terrain is teeming with local fauna including the red-necked pigeon and many troops of green vervet monkey.
- Isabela, Galapagos Islands
The largest of the Galapagos Islands, this incredible island in this finest of ‘bucket list’ destinations is surprisingly not the most visited. With a plethora of fascinating wildlife, the island is home to six volcanoes including Volcan Wolf which is the highest point in the region at 5,600 feet. The Galapagos National Park imposes a strict limit for on-land tours to 20 people per group. Visiting cruise ships are also limited to 100 passengers per vessel. This helps to guarantee a crowd free experience in this most beautiful of locations.
