36 Underrated Cruise Ports Around the World to Explore in 2025

36. Maputo, Mozambique: Afro-Portuguese Pulse

Maputo is vibrant, chaotic, and brimming with rhythm. Mozambique’s capital offers colonial-era buildings, street art, and a buzzing food scene that fuses African and Portuguese traditions. Cruise guests can wander through the Central Market for spicy peri-peri dishes, take a tuk-tuk to the iron-clad Maputo Railway Station designed by Eiffel, or venture to nearby Inhaca Island for reef snorkeling. It’s raw, colorful, and unforgettable—perfect for travelers looking to shake up the standard cruise narrative.

The beauty of cruising lies not just in where you dock—but in how those places surprise you. These 36 underrated ports aren’t just stops; they’re stories waiting to unfold. They whisper instead of shout, offering intimacy where the crowds haven’t yet swarmed. From Arctic hamlets and jungle-flanked villages to forgotten fortresses and colonial towns frozen in time, these destinations rewrite what it means to travel by sea. So as you plan your next voyage, leave room for detours. For curiosity. For the places no one told you about—until now. Because sometimes the soul of a journey isn’t found in the headline ports but in the unexpected corners of the world where the docks are quiet, the welcome is warm, and the experience is unforgettable. Set your course for wonder. These hidden gems are waiting.