Prior to embarking the ship, or when you return take time to visit Ft. Lauderdale. This area is famous for its beaches, arts, culture and events, from shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, to gondola rides on the canals, to a historic riverfront. Just two miles north of Port Everglades, you can experience Fort Lauderdale’s landscaped beachfront promenade, with its signature white wave wall and brick paved path. Enjoy dining on Las Olas Boulevard or the historical districts, and visit the mansions and yachts dotting Millionaires Row. Stop by the Stranahan House, a preserved 1900s home furnished with antiques of the era. Or “follow the red brick road” of the Riverwalk, the landscaped park, to the Arts and Entertainment District. Another fun adventure is to the Everglades for an exhilarating air boat excursion.

Aruba is a Dutch jewel with a tropical touch. Oranjestad, the capital city, is made for walking. Browse the candy-colored townhouses, architectural details, and open-air patios that define this charming Dutch community. Explore the colorful floating market and Nassaustraat, brimming with quaint shops. Head for the beach and dig your toes into the soft white sand and soak in the warm Caribbean water, or go snorkeling, ride on a glass bottom boat or board a submarine that explores one of the largest shipwrecks. Venture into the countryside to see the haunts of the Prikichi green parakeets, the unique rock gardens of Casibari, and the curious divi divi tree, forever bending in the trade wind breezes.

This island offers Amsterdam-like canals, a traditional Dutch cityscape painted in distinctly Caribbean colors and an exotic floating market. You’ll want to stroll the magnificent waterfront, admire the colonial buildings, and explore the backstreet cafés, shops, museums, and galleries of Willemstad. Its storybook houses in the Punda section and the duty-free shops are great attractions. See 17th-century Fort Amsterdam in the historic area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Hato Caves where you will see bats and otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites and the Salt Pans, a former salt mine that’s now home to many flamingos.

Kralendijk is the sleepy capital of Bonaire, an island in the Dutch Antilles. Kralendijk is lined with delightfully pastel stucco houses, in pinks, oranges and lime greens. Famous for its diving, the lively world under the sea is the allure of this laidback island. The island is surrounded by a marine park that starts at the beach and extends 200 feet in depth and covers its entire coastline. Cruises to Bonaire also offer such treats as flamingos, hiking and the only barefoot casino in the Caribbean. Head downtown to the Rincon section for a great selection of restaurants with menus offering authentic local fare, like the Dutch snack, Frikandel, a deep-fried sausage or the Creole gumbo stew called Yambo.

George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands and one of the most popular cruise-ship destinations in the Caribbean, thanks to its year-round tropical weather, white-sand beaches, and clear blue waters. George Town has the glitz and glam you might expect from a city known for its finance district, but also has the sandy beaches, translucent blue water, and laid-back island lifestyle you’d expect from a Caribbean getaway. Don’t miss Stingray City and diving & snorkeling near the coral reef. George Town offers plenty of duty-free shopping, restaurants, and cafes. If you can pull yourself away from the beach, try an excursion to one of the West Indies’ few remaining tropical rainforests.