Hidden gem cruise destinations 2025
In the glamorous world of cruising, the marquee names—Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska—often steal the spotlight. But 2025 is the year to step off the well-worn deck plans and explore itineraries that quietly dazzle with charm, culture, and adventure. These are the voyages where the crowds are thinner, the stories richer, and the sunsets somehow more personal.
Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser craving something different or a first-timer hoping to avoid the tourist tide, here are Stella’s top picks for the most underrated cruise itineraries of 2025.
1. Southeast Asia’s Forgotten Islands
Route: Singapore – Belitung – Borneo – Palawan – Manila
Cruise Lines to Watch: Seabourn, Windstar, Coral Expeditions
This island-hopping itinerary offers emerald jungles, pristine coral reefs, and ancient traditions—without the bustle of Bali or Phuket. Belitung’s surreal rock formations and Borneo’s orangutan sanctuaries will enchant nature lovers, while Palawan’s hidden lagoons feel like a postcard come to life.
Cruise 9 Tip
Book a smaller expedition ship or yacht-style cruise—these vessels can access tucked-away coves and eco-resorts larger ships can’t reach.
2. The Adriatic’s Southern Secrets
Route: Kotor – Bar – Sarandë – Corfu – Zakynthos
Cruise Lines to Watch: Azamara, Ponant, Celestyal
Move over Dubrovnik—Montenegro’s Bar and Albania’s Sarandë are coastal stunners with far fewer tourists. You’ll sail past rugged cliffs, Byzantine ruins, and sun-drenched vineyards, all while enjoying Mediterranean cuisine without the Michelin price tag.
Cruise 9 Tip
Time your cruise in shoulder season (May or October) to enjoy 25°C days and dreamy golden-hour strolls with hardly a crowd in sight.
3. The Wild Northwest: Canada’s Inside Passage
Route: Vancouver – Prince Rupert – Haida Gwaii – Sitka
Cruise Lines to Watch: Lindblad Expeditions, UnCruise, Silversea Expeditions
Think of this as Alaska’s introspective sibling. Canada’s Inside Passage offers fjords, bear sightings, and the hauntingly beautiful islands of Haida Gwaii—home to ancient Indigenous totem poles and stories that echo through the mist.
Cruise 9 Tip
Choose a cruise with onboard naturalists and cultural interpreters to deepen your connection with the Haida people and their traditions.
4. Red Sea Revival
Route: Aqaba – Sharm El Sheikh – Jeddah – Port Sudan
Cruise Lines to Watch: MSC Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Viking (new in 2025)
The Red Sea is finally re-emerging as a cruise corridor rich in history and natural beauty. Sail past ancient Nabatean ruins, snorkel coral gardens in the Ras Mohammed Reserve, and sip Arabic coffee in the port city of Jeddah as Saudi Arabia slowly opens its doors to global tourism.
Cruise 9 Tip
Respect regional customs—opt for lightweight but modest clothing during shore excursions and seek out female-led cultural tours in Jeddah for a modern lens on tradition.
5. South America’s River-Sea Duo
Route: Manaus (Amazon River) – Belém – Recife – Salvador
Cruise Lines to Watch: Hapag-Lloyd, Oceania Cruises, Viking River & Ocean Hybrid Itineraries
A rare combo of river and ocean cruising, this itinerary lets you wake to jungle symphonies and fall asleep to samba. Start deep in the Amazon, cruise past floating markets and rainforests, and end with a sun-kissed stretch along Brazil’s Atlantic coastline.
Cruise 9 Tip
Pack insect repellent and waterproof shoes—then leave room for Brazilian artisanal crafts. Recife’s markets are full of hand-painted ceramics and lace you won’t find elsewhere.
6. Nordic Noir Meets Midnight Sun
Route: Stockholm – Visby – Klaipėda – Gdańsk – Riga – Tallinn – Helsinki
Cruise Lines to Watch: Hurtigruten, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania
A dream for lovers of Baltic intrigue and Scandinavian design, this less-traveled route focuses on UNESCO towns, Baltic folklore, and the beauty of long-lit summer nights. Expect cobblestones, castles, and centuries-old sea tales.
Cruie 9 Tip
Add a few nights in Helsinki or Tallinn pre- or post-cruise—they’re design-lover paradises and surprisingly affordable in summer.
7. The Indian Ocean Mosaic
Route: Seychelles – Comoros – Madagascar – Mauritius
Cruise Lines to Watch: Noble Caledonia, Ponant, Silversea
Set your compass for the Indian Ocean’s most biodiverse and lesser-known destinations. From the baobab-lined avenues of Madagascar to the vanilla-scented air of the Comoros, this itinerary delivers a rich sensory experience without sacrificing serenity.
Cruise 9 Tip
Snorkeling here is spectacular—but so is the cuisine. Try a local Creole seafood curry on every island for an edible tour of the region’s blended cultures.
Why These Itineraries Matter
In a travel landscape leaning toward personalization and meaningful moments, these routes offer more than a change of scenery—they offer depth, surprise, and stories you’ll be telling long after you disembark.
Bonus Cruise 9 Tip
Want to make the most of an underrated itinerary? Look for repositioning cruises and one-way routes—these often include bonus ports and better pricing for the same level of luxury.
Final Boarding Call
Choosing an underrated cruise in 2025 means more than beating the crowds—it means curating a journey that feels like it was made just for you. And at Cruise 9, that’s exactly the kind of voyage we believe in.