When you arrive at your dream cruise destination to find a long row of massive ships moored by the dock, there’s a danger of becoming lost in a sea of tourists.
Ports like Rome and Barcelona can see thousands of passengers arrive at once. It can be a complete nightmare – and I should know, having been a cruise writer for over 15 years and taken more than 125 cruises, calling at 500-plus ports across the globe.
Swarms of passengers visiting the main sights simultaneously can ruin the experience you’ve shelled out thousands to ‘enjoy’.
Meanwhile, some ports – while at perfectly fine spots on a coastline – require awfully long transfers to the actual destination they’re billed as serving. The journey from Rome’s Civitavecchia cruise port to Italy’s capital, for example, takes up to two hours, while the transfer from Malaga cruise port to reach Alhambra, Granada, in southern Spain can stretch to more than two hours.
The author has visited more than 500 ports around the world
But all is not lost. While I have some ports I prefer to avoid, there are plenty of favourites that are quieter and more welcoming.
So here’s my pick of the best and worst spots…
TRIESTE, ITALY
Cruise ships can dock in the heart of the city, close to the Unity of Italy Square. Trieste has always stood apart from the rest of Italy, and its former status as a free port under Austrian rule is reflected in elegant Habsburg architecture.
Book it: An eight-night History & Romance cruise on Seven Seas Splendor departs on July 20, 2026, from £4,785pp, flights extra (mundycruising.co.uk).
BEQUIA, THE CARIBBEAN
You anchor in beautiful Admiralty Bay facing the little town of Port Elizabeth in Bequia, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where you catch a boat and are soon on a gorgeous palm-fringed beach. Reggae music emanates from rum shacks. Yachts bob at moorings and the setting is extremely relaxing.
The picturesque Port Elizabeth harbor in Bequia
Book it: A seven-night Windward Ways And Tobago Cays cruise on Star Pride, departing on March 15 next year, begins in Aruba and takes in Bonaire and Bequia, before ending in Barbados, from £2,256pp, flights extra (cruisecritic.com).
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Largely destroyed during the Second World War, Rotterdam has been rebuilt into an uber-cool city, and P&O Cruises’ Iona overnights here to give passengers plenty of time to explore. Tuck into stroopwafels in the magnificent Markthal, a giant indoor food market; or visit RiF010, the world’s first urban surf pool, with beach house and bar, in Steigersgracht.
Book it: A seven-night Northern Europe round-trip cruise from Southampton, on Iona, departs February 7, 2026, from £440pp (cruise.co.uk).
SINGAPORE
This city-state is sophisticated and spotlessly clean, with the modern Marina Bay Cruise Centre on the waterfront close to Marina Bay, the Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands. The city is safe and has a good public transport system – or take a taxi to the Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling before sightseeing.
Book it: Fourteen-day Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam & Taiwan cruise on Seabourn Encore departs Osaka, Japan on November 15, 2026, from £5,998pp excluding flights (seabourn.com).
ZADAR, CROATIA
On the Dalmatian Coast, Zadar offers beautiful sunsets and top-class modern public art – visitors can sit on the promenade next to the new cruise mooring and listen to the Sea Organ, which harnesses the sound of the ocean. Small ships dock near the old town, Roman Forum and 9th-century St Donatus Church.
The promenade is a focal point for locals and holidaymakers in Zadar
Book it: A seven-night Hidden Gems cruise on MS My Wish departs Split on June 20 and 27 next year, from £2,818pp excluding flights (cruisecroatia.com).
PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO
While superyachts jostle for moorings elsewhere along the French Riviera, the 900-passenger luxury ship Explora I berths in Port Hercule for five days, with front-row access to the Monaco Grand Prix next June.
Port Hercules comes to life during the weekend of the Monaco Grand Prix
Book it: A seven-night Race Weekend F1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2026 cruise on Explora I departs from Rome (Civitavecchia) on June 2, from £12,500pp, flights extra (explorajourneys.com).
GHENT, BELGIUM
Soak up the charm, beer and chocolate. Hop on and off the water tram to visit the Castle of the Counts, Graslei-Korenlei Museum and St Bavo’s Cathedral for the Van Eyck brothers’ masterpiece The Adoration Of The Mystic Lamb.
A trip to Ghent offers chocolate and charm
Book it: A nine-night Tulips & Windmills sailing on Uniworld’s new 154-guest SS Emilie departs Antwerp on March 20, 2026, from £3,949pp including flights (rolcruise.co.uk).
MOOLOOLABA, AUSTRALIA
Your ship drops anchor in Mooloolaba bay, then it’s a 15-minute boat ride to this relaxed seaside town on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, with safe bathing. Mooloolaba is also Australia’s craft beer capital. The Surf Club’s Boathouse seafood restaurant is not to be missed.
The Point Cartwright Lighthouse in Mooloolaba
Book it: Fourteen-day Melbourne to Sydney cruise on Silver Moon, departs January 3, 2026, from £5,220pp plus flights (silversea.com).
LE VERDON-SUR-MER, FRANCE
This resort is a gateway to the Medoc wine region, where Bordeaux wines including Chateau Margaux, Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Mouton Rothschild are produced. Join a tour for tastings and to visit cellars.
Book it: A 15-night Vistas Of France, Spain And Portugal round-trip cruise from London Tilbury, on Ambience, departs May 2, from £1,399pp (ambassadorcruiseline.com).
NAXOS, GREEK ISLANDS
Naxos offers excellent beaches and traditional villages with olive and lemon orchards. After exploring Byzantine churches and Venetian towers, try the authentic Greek tavernas in Naxos Town.
Book it: A seven-night Off The Beaten Path Greek Islands cruise on Wind Spirit departs Athens (Piraeus) on June 4, 2026, from £4,151pp, excluding flights (windstarcruises.co.uk).
USHUAIA, ARGENTINA
It’s a short stroll from your mooring into the peaceful small city of Ushuaia on the southern-most tip of Argentina. Ships depart from here to Antarctica, so there is always an air of excitement before crossing the Drake Passage.
There is plenty of wildlife to enjoy off the tip of South America
Book it: A 13-day Antarctic Explorer journey on Viking Octantis departs on December 4, 2026, for Ushuaia, from £10,990pp including flights and one night in Buenos Aires (viking.com).
TOULON, FRANCE
There’s plenty of Provencal ambience at Cours Lafayette market, an easy walk from the Toulon Cote d’Azur terminal. Or head to Le Mourillon, where sandy beaches are edged by well-maintained gardens.
Book it: The seven-night Mediterranean Medley cruise on Marella Explorer departs Palma, Mallorca, on May 9, 2026, from £1,452pp including flights (tui.co.uk).
AGADIR, MOROCCO
The cruise port at Agadir is at the northwest end of a lovely sandy beach, and there are regular free shuttle buses which take you into town in ten minutes. You can also join four-wheel-drive tours into the Atlas Mountains to visit a Berber village.
The beach at Agadir is worth a visit
Book it: Eleven-night Spain and Morocco round-trip from Southampton on Queen Anne departs April 21, 2027, from £1,399pp (cunard.co.uk).
MAHON, MENORCA
The Port of Mahon is in a natural harbour, so be out on deck for the sailing in. The port’s a short walk to the city’s boutiques and bars, where you can indulge in a lemony, gin-based Pomada cocktail.
Book it: A seven-night Lisbon To Barcelona cruise on Crystal Symphony departs April 12, 2027, from £3,500pp, flights extra (crystalcruises.com).
TARRAGONA, SPAIN
This ancient city, with its Roman amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean, has long stretches of sandy beaches. In the old town, sit in one of the pretty squares while tucking in to tapas and a glass of cava from nearby Sant Sadurni d’Anoia.
The Roman amphitheatre is one of Tarragona’s attractions
Book it: A seven-night Mediterranean cruise from Tarragona on MSC Orchestra from £729pp (excluding flights), departing on April 23, 2027 (msccruises.co.uk).
Overcrowded, two-hour transfers…the ports to swerve
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
THERE should be a sign outside Dubrovnik’s city walls saying ‘FULL’. Mayor Mato Frankovic has capped visitor numbers and reduced cruise ships from around six to two a day, but it does not stop Game Of Thrones fans arriving in droves to see the area that stood in for King’s Landing.
ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY
Civitavecchia is the port for Rome, although it’s a two-hour coach journey each way. Many cruise and container ships sail in each day, so guests need to join an excursion or take a shuttle bus to leave the terminal. Best to stay in Civitavecchia and explore the imposing nearby 16th-century Fort Michelangelo.
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Protesters have been using water pistols to let tourists know they are not welcome in overcrowded Barcelona. Cruise ship calls have been capped at seven a day, but that still means an awful lot of people milling about.
VENICE, ITALY
Cruise ships over 25,000 tonnes can no longer enter the historic centre of Venice – and nobody would argue with that in a city prone to floods and suffering from high visitor numbers. Expect overcrowding at the main sights.
Cruise ships are now banned from the centre of Venice
MIAMI, FLORIDA
This is a huge, disorientating place and usually very crowded. Traffic in and out of the port can be completely gridlocked on busy turnaround days. The passenger terminal is well removed from the city centre and a taxi to South Beach costs about $30 to $40.
CASABLANCA, MOROCCO
Being continually harassed by touts in Casablanca spoils any romantic vision you might have – even when getting off a coach at the port you are hassled to get a cab. Stick with a ship excursion to see the Hassan II Mosque, the Old Medina, La Corniche waterfront and Rick’s Cafe. Or just enjoy a relaxing day on the ship.
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