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Traveller’s ultimate guide to cruise ports
Planning a cruise, but not sure what itinerary is right for you? Traveller’s cruise expert, Brian Johnston, offers his guide to some of the major ports around the world, including who cruises there and what the local must-see highlights are.
Split, Croatia
This Croatian port city isn’t as famous as Dubrovnik, but you might find it a much more enjoyable, lively and authentic experience.
- Brian Johnston
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This Mediterranean port city is derided as an overcrowded medieval theme park, but never mind. You’ll probably love it.
- Brian Johnston
Rouen, France
France has plenty of small, delightful and historical provincial cities but this is one of the best, and not yet conquered by the tourist hordes.
- Brian Johnston
Chongqing, China
One of the world’s newest megacities is just a short ride away from awe-inspiring natural scenery and ancient historical sights.
- Brian Johnston
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Sometimes the exaggerated claims of tourist boards are true. Yes, this really is the Pacific’s most outrageously beautiful island.
- Brian Johnston
Mykonos, Greece
This Greek island may be most famous for nightlife and beaches, but you’ll find plenty of other pleasant distractions on a one-day cruise visit.
- Brian Johnston
Marseille, France
This city was once crime-ridden and rundown. Now it’s a capital of culture, a tourist hotspot and one of cruising’s most-visited destinations.
- Brian Johnston
Colombo, Sri Lanka
This city is often overlooked on Sri Lankan itineraries but is vibrant, beach-flanked and a showcase of colonial architecture and buzzing contemporary life.
Corfu Town, Greece
Many centuries of foreign influences give this wonderful Greek town a character like no other. Get lost in its winding alleys and enjoy.
- Brian Johnston
Gibraltar, Europe
This tiny town wedged into the coast of Spain is a weird, anachronistic territory with a fabulous history, terrific views and one big rock.
- Brian Johnston
Skagway, United States
Bordellos, bars and bad behaviour: one of Alaska’s most popular and atmospheric ports has quite the tale to tell.
- Brian Johnston
Kagoshima, Japan
Japan’s southernmost big city is relaxed and easy-going, but has one almighty sight that might make you leap in alarm. Prepare for a smoking hot encounter.
- Brian Johnston
Noumea, New Caledonia
A little bit of France floating not far from Australia, combined with indigenous culture and lovely scenery: what’s not to like about this South Pacific port?
- Brian Johnston
Valparaiso, Chile
The “San Francisco of South America” might be dilapidated but bursts with life, colour and street art.
- Brian Johnston
Hobart, Australia
It might be our smallest state capital but you’ll find plenty in easy, breezy Hobart to occupy a full day ashore.
- Brian Johnston
Cannes, France
Its film festival in May is famous, but you’ll find abundant glamour in Cannes at any time of year. Slip on your designer sunnies and head ashore.
- Brian Johnston
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is Norway’s elegant cultural capital and has a long history, but its setting adds plenty of natural beauty – at least when it isn’t raining.
- Brian Johnston
Edinburgh, UK
Scotland’s capital is quirky, history-filled and austerely beautiful, but you’ll have to plan ahead to make the most of your cruise time.
- Brian Johnston
Rhodes, Greece
Closer to Turkey than mainland Greece and seeped in tumultuous layers of culture and history, this is far from your typical Greek island.
- Brian Johnston
Doha, Qatar
This glittering Gulf city has all the impressive shopping and entertainments of Dubai but a much more interesting cultural life and far fewer visitors.
- Brian Johnston
Jakarta, Indonesia
This full-on, throbbing city isn’t for the fainthearted, but it does hide a softer historical core and dishes up great food.
- Brian Johnston
Tallinn, Estonia
This venerable trading city has one of Northern Europe’s most intact fortified old towns, but you’ll enjoy the contemporary buzz too.
- Brian Johnston
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia’s capital doesn’t have the kudos of other Asian cities, but for sheer exuberance and friendliness you might find it hard to beat.
- Brian Johnston
New York City, US
Big, bold, sophisticated and multicultural New York is constantly upgrading and reinventing itself yet also offers the American scenes of the stereotypes.
- Brian Johnston
Santorini, Greece
Stunning natural beauty meets whitewashed villages on this Greek island, but it also has culture and soul if you know where to look.
- Brian Johnston
Dunedin, New Zealand
This southern city is modest in size but has a lively vibe, interesting history and a lovely setting amid big, beautiful landscapes.
- Brian Johnston
Southampton, UK
This is one of Europe’s busiest cruise ports, but its chief attraction is getting out of it to the many top sights in the surroundings.
- Brian Johnston
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Plan ahead and make smart choices in this inconvenient port surrounded by historical cities and the lodestar of treasure-packed Rome.
- Brian Johnston
Busan, South Korea
Beachy, buzzing, food-loving, laid-back and seemingly always sunny: this is the Sydney of South Korea, but more raucous and edgy.
- Brian Johnston
Halifax, Canada
This breezy, youthful city has interest and liveliness far beyond its modest size, making it one of Canada’s most enjoyable ports of call.
- Brian Johnston
Fremantle, Western Australia
Western Australia’s gritty port city has transformed itself into a heritage, hipster and dining destination, and has more character and quirkiness than Perth.
- Brian Johnston
Lyon, France
Less hurried and more laid-back than Paris, this gastronomic capital with two riverfronts is one of the most enjoyable cities in France.
- Brian Johnston
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is both an ocean and river port. You can’t call the arrival beautiful, since the Netherlands is flat, but it is entertaining.
- Brian Johnston
Napier, New Zealand
If you’re after one of those undemanding and unhurried cruise days in a pretty place, then this laid-back little city delivers.
- Brian Johnston
Zanzibar, Tanzania
A handful of travel destinations have legendary names that evoke adventure, and this colourful, lively and historic port is one of them.
- Brian Johnston
Victoria, Canada
What the capital of British Columbia lacks in size it makes up for in prettiness and wild surrounds. It’s also a living museum of Canadian history.
- Brian Johnston
