Planning a cruise itinerary is a complex business; factors to consider include airlift to your embarkation and debarkation points, the local price of fuel, port taxes, shore excursion options and cabotage laws. Yet every year we find that the inventive itinerary planners at our favourite cruise lines surprise us with fresh ways to explore destinations both exotic and familiar.
Of course, the key to unlocking the dazzling diversity of travel by sea is to choose a smaller ship. This allows you to access those secret coves, idyllic islands and small ports that are off-limits to the big mainstream ships; indeed, it allows you to access places with no travel infrastructure at all. So if you're feeling jaded by the prospect of visiting the same old ports on the same old ships, let us show you some of the myriad ways that an unusual small ship cruise can provide a different perspective...
1. Ponant - Corsica
French cruise line Ponant are experts in crafting more unusual itineraries across their fleet of stylish yachts. In September 2025 Ponant's original vessel, the tiny 32-guest sailing yacht Le Ponant, offers a series of 7-night cruises around the island of Corsica, sailing round-trip from Nice. It's unusual to find a Mediterranean cruise focused on such a small area, and as a result you'll get a real feel for the island's strong sense of identity, regional traditions and spectacular natural beauty as you sail from north to south.
Le Ponant's small size means you will often find more unique itineraries on this vessel, including hidden gems in Croatia and unusual Greek Islands beyond the normal tourist trail.
2. Oceania Cruises - Estonia, Finland, Poland & Sweden
If you've already been to the Baltic and you'd like to see more, take a look at Oceania's Northern Europe voyages for 2024 & 2025 which feature several unusual and lesser-travelled calls. Highlights include the charming Estonian island of Saaremaa; Finland's verdant island city of Kotka; buzzing Szczecin and Gdansk in Poland with their striking architecture; and the Naval Port and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Karlskrona, Sweden.
Oceania are known for their port-intensive itineraries so if its destination immersion you're looking for, then a voyage with Oceania offers a fantastic way to explore. Plus, their inclusive pricing often provides Shore Excursion credit so you can take advantage of a range of tours to suit your interests.
3. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises - The Great Lakes
Very few ocean-going cruise ships are able to navigate the Saint Lawrence Seaway and reach the Great Lakes of North America, so we always let our clients know when new cruises here go on sale. Hapag-Lloyd's 230-guest expedition ship Hanseatic Inspiration offers two Great Lakes itineraries each Autumn in 2024, 2025 and 2026 visiting charming lakeside towns, vibrant cities and tranquil wilderness.
The voyages either include a transit of the St Lawrence River during which you will visit Québec and Montreal and sail through the waterway's locks, or they will be self-contained sailings within the lakes sailing through Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and to the northern shores of Lake Superior. Plus, sailing at this time of year means you will be in with a chance of experiencing the region's incredible autumn colours.
4. SeaDream Yacht Club - The Bahamas & Greek Isles
SeaDream's 112-guest yachts are one of our favourite ways to explore the islands of the Caribbean, offering a fantastic opportunity to discover some of the region's lesser-travelled isles. Our interest was piqued by a handful of more unusual itineraries in April 2025 & 2026 sailing out of West Palm Beach and focusing on the quieter corners of the Bahamas.
The beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters are as you would expect, but the swimming pigs and Pablo Escobar connections may not be! The relaxed yachts of SeaDream come into their own in this region, nimbly navigating hidden coves and serene bays, and this will truly feel like you're exploring on board your own private yacht.
And, as big ship cruises to the Greek Islands have begun to lose their appeal, as popular ports such as Santorini and Mykonos host multiple visitors each day, to reclaim the magic of a remote Greek Island, look to SeaDream's off-the-beaten track Greek Island cruises including islands even regular visitors to the region might not know such as Kythnow, Ios, Patmos, Symi, Folegandros and Milos, each with its own particular charm. Away from the crowds you will have quite a different experience, with sleepy villages, bustling sea-front tavernas for a lazy lunch, and pristine beaches to enjoy the azure waters.
5. Paul Gauguin Cruises - Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands
Lots of cruise lines make intermittent calls in the South Pacific, with the more common calls being Tahiti and Bora Bora, but the 330-guest Paul Gauguin has been operating here year round for over 20 years, sailing the Society Islands plus further afield during longer itineraries. Pick a 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands cruise to take in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Fakarava in the Tuamotu archipelago and the even more remote Marquesas to explore idyllic, unspoiled landcapes.
The best way to discover the treasures of these isolated outposts is by small-ship cruise, sailing from island to island whilst enjoying the Pacific hospitality on board the Paul Gauguin, plus you can also combine your cruise with a longer trip to visit family and friends in Australia or New Zealand.
6. Regent - Immersive Overnights
A special collection of cruises created by Regent Seven Seas is the Immersive Overnights programme enabling you to discover more - and experience something new - in the world's great cities with overnights in port which open up more evening options and in-depth excursions.
For destinations including the Mediterranean, Japan, and the Baltic, what you get is an amazing slowed-up journey giving you the opportunity to explore so much further with Regent's full range of included shore excursions.
7. Windstar - Winter in the Med
A smash hit introduction last winter was Windstar's winter Mediterranean programme, which has now become a permanent and very special offering. We have long championed the Mediterranean as the number one cruise region in the world, offering such an amazing range of culture, history, scenery, food and wine.
But in recent years many have found the summer heat to be too oppressive to allow them to enjoy such a visit, not to mention the crowds in every location. These are the reasons to visit the Mediterranean with Windstar in the winter, with a number of hand-crafted itineraries including Croatia and Greece, Italy and the Adriatic, the Dalmatian Coast, and southern Spain and the Riviera. Book now for special inclusive pricing
8. Ponant - Japan
Japan is the hot destination, listed by so many people as top of their holiday wishlist. This diverse country with its many islands deserves a second visit to explore away from the major tourist centres - and many report that their return journeys to Japan were even more rewarding than the first.
Ponant's Le Jacques Cartier operates a unique expedition cruise between Osaka and Kagoshima, discovering some of the natural gems and ancestral heritage of western Kyushu, as well as picturesque villages in the Seto Inland Sea, the theatre of many battles and historic events that have shaped its myth and grandeur. A gentle way of life, picturesque villages, spectacular scenery, and a rich heritage will be revealed.
8. Uniworld - India
Such a huge country feels overwhelming to potential visitors, who are enticed by tick-box iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal, and put off by everything they have heard about the crowds, the heat and the sheer in-your-face hubbub of this extraordinary country.
So Uniworld's captivating combination of the Golden Triangle and Sacred Ganges incorporating the amazing, world-class Oberoi Hotels is the perfect way to enjoy this captivating land, on a trip that includes magnificent contrasts and introductions to so many different facets of a magical country.
