Bridgetown, Barbados' UNESCO-listed capital, blends colonial history, rich culture, and white-sand beauty. At The Careenage, pastel buildings overlook the Constitution River, with a plaque marking the city's role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Nearby Carlisle Bay offers turquoise water, soft sand, and shipwreck dives with turtles and tropical fish. Explore street food, Broad Street shopping, rum bars on Roebuck Street, and Nidhe Israel Synagogue and museum.

Bequia Island is a rustic, unspoiled Grenadine gem: virgin beaches, quiet bays, rum shacks, and a laid-back feel with only about 6,000 locals. Admiralty Bay is a stunning natural harbor, and tiny Port Elizabeth has a market, turtle sanctuary, and model-ship stalls. Hike Mount Peggy for views, then relax on Princess Margaret Beach or other golden-sand coves. It's a place to slow down, swim, read, and enjoy fresh catch, barbecue, and rum cocktails at beach bars.

Grenada, the "Isle of Spice," blends lush scenery and rich flavor: nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa fill the air at St George's market, while jungled hills, rainforest waterfalls, banana and cocoa groves, and the Grand Etang caldera showcase its fertile interior. The capital features a charming waterfront of Georgian buildings and terracotta roofs, and the coast offers white-sand beaches, turquoise seas, Grand Anse, and hidden palm-fringed coves. Enjoy it all with a local spiced rum punch.

Willemstad, capital of Curaçao, is famed for its brightly painted, UNESCO-listed waterfront and Dutch colonial architecture. Set around the narrow Sint Anna Bay channel and Schottegat harbor, it features Rif Fort, the 1888 Queen Emma Bridge linking Otrobanda and Punda, a floating market, the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, and the historic distillery. Curaçao's beaches are "dushi": sandy, turquoise, and great for snorkeling with fish and sea turtles.

Stroll colourful Oranjestad, Aruba's capital, and enjoy some of the Caribbean's sunniest shores: white sands, gentle waves and divi divi trees. Swim, snorkel or dive in warm waters, or take a catamaran or submarine out further. Inland, see Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and Aruba's Natural Bridge site, where Baby Bridge remains. Hooiberg rises above the island; climb its 650 steps for views to Venezuela. Shop boutiques and local crafts, then try Aruba's Dutch, Asian and Caribbean fusion cuisine.

Bonaire's small, tidy capital, Kralendijk, is 5 minutes from the airport. Main streets-J. A. Abraham Boulevard/Kaya Grandi, Kaya L. D. Gerharts, and waterfront Kaya C. E. B. Hellmund-hold most shops, boutiques, restaurants, supermarkets, piers, and Ft. Oranje. The produce market sells fresh Venezuelan produce; cruise ships arrive Dec-Apr. Get the tourist-office brochure for a map.

Virgin Gorda, the third-largest of the British Virgin Islands, is a stunning, secluded Caribbean escape. Named by Columbus for its "fat" silhouette, it blends luxury villas and private-island glamour with castaway calm. Relax on white-sand beaches like Savannah Bay, climb Gorda Peak, soak in Devil's Bay National Park, or explore The Baths' seawater-filled caves and boulder pools. Warm turquoise seas and vivid snorkelling complete the island's bliss.

Colourful colonial streets, Spanish forts and a lively Caribbean atmosphere make San Juan a captivating cruise stop. Wander the pastel-hued lanes of Old San Juan, savour local flavours and rum, or head beyond the city for golden beaches and lush rainforest scenery. With its blend of history, music and sunshine, this vibrant port offers an unforgettable island welcome.

Miami is a seaport city on Biscayne Bay in southeastern Florida, the "Cruise Capital of the World." The Port of Miami has led global cruise passenger traffic for over 20 years. Florida's second-largest city, it has about 5.5 million in its metro area and is a major center for finance, commerce, culture, media, entertainment, arts, and trade. Its name means "big water"; Spain claimed it in 1566, and it became U.S. territory in 1821. It is very flat, averaging 1.8 m above sea level.