Complaints about overtourism and a desire to visit unique destinations are helping cruise passengers fall in love with lesser-known and unexpected ports of call.
The cities and coastal resorts that passengers and cruise ships spend time in have become more important amid backlash from locals and environmental concerns. In some cases, cruise ships have had to change their choice of dock due to restrictions.
Venice has banned large cruise ships, while Amsterdam is limiting ship visits ahead of an outright ban by 2035. The Mayor of Nice has also proposed banning larger vessels.
To ensure passengers can still reach popular places, some ports are used as drop-off points to then travel to major cities where the main excursions take place. Examples include docking in Rotterdam to reach Amsterdam or Cadiz for Seville.
But many cruise passengers are also finding hidden gems in the port where the ship docks rather than travelling further afield. These locations can be more convenient as they are often walking distance from the ship, saving you money on taxis and meaning you avoid queues for shuttle buses.
Cruise brands are also recognising that passengers want unique experiences and may enjoy quieter locations on their itinerary rather than the typical holiday hotspots.
Here are the overlooked cruise ports that could be worth staying in rather than travelling through.
Nafplio

Mykonos and Santorini may capture the attention of passengers on a Greek island cruise, but it could be worth visiting Nafplio if it is on your cruise itinerary.
Sitting on the Greek mainland, the picturesque Venetian fortress town offers a quieter alternative to Athens. It has its own historic townhouses now converted into top boutique hotels and unique Greek dishes such as Gkiosa, an elder ewe or goat meat slow-baked in a stone wood stove.
You can visit Nafplio during a Celebrity Cruises Best of Greece sailing aboard Celebrity Infinity. Prices for a departure from Athens on 17 March start from £489 per person.
Read more: Best Greek islands cruises
Asturias

Sitting on Spain’s often-overlooked northern coast, Asturias…
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