Cruising is about two things. First, it’s about your experience on this ship and the amenities that ship offers. Second – and perhaps more importantly – it’s about the places that you cruise to. Often, it’ll be the experience you have at one of the cruise ship’s ports of call that will make or break your vacationing adventure.
There are, of course, the natural ports of call the virtually every cruise ship on the planet visits. Those are certainly all well and good, but maybe you’re the kind of cruiser who’s looking for something different – something that will make for a good story when you get home.
That’s why we’ve pulled this list together. It highlights a number of the lesser known islands around the world – many of which you’ve probably never heard of before – that are being visited by some of the best cruise ships in the world. There are a few that are home to native cultures that you can actually interact with, and there are a few that are about as secluded as they come!
So, if you’re looking to book a cruise vacation like no other, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s check out 9 unknown (or little known) islands that you can cruise to on your next cruise vacation!
1. New Britain Island
On New Britain Island, you can get up close and personal with an active volcano called Rabaul.
Princess Cruises is running multiple itineraries that visit this island aboard the Sea Princess this fall.
2. Mitkof Island
It’s not all about tropical climates! Mitkof Island is a little-visited island with plenty of charm that’s part of Alaska.
Alaska Dream Cruises gives you the opportunity to see what it’s all about aboard the tiny and intimate Baranof Dream!
3. Exotic Greek Isles
There are the big Greek Isles – like Santorini and Mykonos – but there are plenty more that are more exotic and less inhabited.
You can see a whole bunch of them if you take part in Variety Cruises’ that travel the Isles throughout the year.
4. Fakarava Island
Located in the South Pacific, this exotic island is a thing of beauty, offering travellers the chance to experience unique flora and fauna.
Windstar Cruises will be taking travellers there in October and December of this year aboard the Wind Spirit!
5. SGang Gwaay
Here’s one few have ever heard of. It’s an exotic and lush island that’s about 90 miles west of the British Columbia shoreline.
Maple Leaf Adventures specializes in introducing travellers to this amazing location aboard its small ships.
6. The Cook Islands
While you may have heard of the Cook Island before, few travellers ever make the journey to this destination.
You can be one of the few who does, though, by booking passage on Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Orion this fall.
7. Mystery Island
As you might have surmised from the name, Mystery Island – which is part of the Vanuata Archipelago – is entirely uninhabited.
You can pay it a visit and enjoy the peace and quiet by booking passage on Carnival Cruise Lines’ Spirit this fall.
8. Hiva Oa
This beautiful tropical island features beautiful beaches situated below tropical mountains that thrust up into the blue skies.
Paul Gaugin Cruises will be taking travellers to this wonderful location in the month of November aboard its eponymous ship.
9. The Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands off the coast of Australia are a little-known destination that’s home to its own unique culture and people.
Aboard the small Coral Princess, you and those you travel with can meet that native Tiwi people while also enjoying snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.
