Caribbean Port Cities

Belize City, Belize
Long before the 17th-century powers began to argue over Belizian sovereignty, a Mayan civilization flourished here at the mouth of the Belize river. But it is the natural history that is Belize's most precious resource. This geographically endowed region features lush lowlands and tremendous wetlands, timbered mountains, prime rainforests and karstic landscapes pocketed by caves and caverns. Oh, and a pristine coastline protected by the second longest barrier reef in the world.

Bridgetown, Barbados
On this island of tropical palm-fringed beaches there's an ambiance that ranges from sophisticated (in Bridgetown) to slow-paced. Enjoy an exciting tour of Harrison's cave, filled with underground streams, thundering waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites.

Cancun, Mexico
Just a little more than 20 years ago Cancun was nothing more than a sleepy village of 120 fishermen. Today a half-million people make this a Mexican city full of exciting options. Take in a round of golf scuba dive in the turquoise clear water or spend some quality time lying on the warm, soft beaches.

Castries, St. Lucia
Bursts of color amid a lush green mantle, wide beaches and a bubbling volcano welcome you to St. Lucia. Take a glass-bottom boat to Bucco Reef. Or opt for an island drive to the soaring Pitons peaks, possibly the most photographed site in the Caribbean.

Charleston, South Carolina
Horse-drawn carriages smartly trot past grand 18th- and 19th-century homes with sweeping verandahs. And well-tended gardens hint of fine antiques and portraits of ancestors. A few miles from town, Boone Hall—one of South Carolina's most beautiful antebellum plantations—sprawls amid love oaks draped with Spanish moss.

Costa Maya, Mexico
In search of adventure? This unspoiled coastal paradise in the Yucatan sprawls off the beaten path from the Mayan ruins of Tulum to the Belizean border. Brilliant butterflies, exotic tropical birds, deer, monkeys—even jaguars are said to roam the remote parts of this pristine jungle. While not far from shore you'll find mile after mile of historic ship wrecks and coral formations, much of them virtually unexplored.

Cozumel, Mexico
The beaches, dining and shopping are great on this tiny tropical isle just 12 miles off Mexico's coast. But it's the coral reef just off shore and the sacred Maya ruins that are the primary attractions. Palm-lined beaches throb with activity, while a dense jungle interior showcases Cozumel's primeval side. Spectacular Palancar Reef, part of the second longest coral reef system in the world, beckons divers the world over.

Fort de France, Martinique
Discover a tropical taste of the French Riviera in Martinique, a French possession since 1946. Lush vegetation gives rise to the name " island flowers. Browse through the duty-free shops of Fort de France, where you'll find French perfumes, crystal and, of course, plenty of "joie de vivre."

Freeport, Bahamas
There's plenty to do on Grand Bahama Island. Check out the 5,000 varieties of rare plants in the Garden of the Groves and the Rand Nature Reserve's 20 species of wild orchids. The International Bazaar houses nearly 100 shops, with goods from 25 countries, while scuba divers can explore ancient caves.

George Town, Grand Cayman
Once a pirate stronghold and haven for deserters from Oliver Cromwell's army, British Grand Cayman today is charming, prosperous and utterly civilized. Even though the famous Seven-Mile Beach is actually closer to six miles long, every inch of its golden sand is a treat. In addition to duty-free shops filled with fine English porcelain and crystal, the marvelous marine park system alone makes a visit here worthwhile. The Cayman Islands boast some of the wreck diving in the world.

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, Bahamas
This unspoiled paradise of white sandy beaches and coconut palms is home to lizards, seagulls, neon-colored fish and... a few very fortunate guests of NCL. For this is our own private island. Snooze in a hammock under a shady palm tree. Learn to snorkel in a peaceful cove where tropical fish weave around equally colorful coral and sea fans. Dance the limbo and enjoy a beachside barbecue. Circle the island in a kayak or sailboat. This is the life! And today is your day to enjoy it.

Houston, Texas
This is in the heart of Tex-Mex country, so get ready to pull on your boots and have some fun. Located due north of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico, this city has much in common with its southern neighbor. Fine Mexican cuisine, music and culture abound here and guests love the convenience of sailing from a southwest part all year round.

Key West, Florida
Laid-back lifestyles, a thriving arts community and quaint pastel-colored architecture make Key West a popular resort destination. But that's not all. There's also deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving; legendary sunsets accompanied by homegrown entertainment at Mallory Square; and a chance to paddle a kayak around a mangrove -rimmed island.

Kralendijk, Bonaire
Here the beaches come in three colors: pink, black or white. And in the waters around Bonaire and neighboring Klein Bonaire, undersea treasures are protected in a National Marine Park. Inland, the landscape in the south is flat and desert-like; it's green and hilly in the north. A leisurely stroll in Kralendijk takes you to food markets, shops and the charming waterfront promenade.

Miami, Florida
This vibrant business center of the Americas sprawls between the placid Everglades and the dazzling haunts of the rich and famous on Miami Beach. Miami was developed by a railroad magnate and made famous by superstars who thrive on its churning nightlife and live in its lavish waterfront estates. A short drive from world-famous South Beach and trendy Ocean Drive is quaint Coconut Grove, a monument to Miami's more cultural side.

Nassau, Bahamas
Although Christopher Columbus stopped in the Bahamas in 1492, the Spanish weren't the first Europeans to permanently settle here: the British were. They built forts to protect towns from marauding pirates and left a lasting legacy of British manners and mannerisms. While you're here, try your bargaining skills at the Straw Market. Or choose an historic tour, ride a submarine, sail a catamaran, pet a dolphin or try your luck in a world-class casino.

New York City, New York
There's truly no city in the world quite like New York. From the bustling vitality of Wall Street to the funky galleries of Soho to the bright lights of Broadway and Times Square this is America’s candy store. Its frenetic pace can be dizzying, its people, a vibrant patchwork of nationalities who speak the real language of the city: diversity. There is no place like New York.

New Orleans, Louisiana
This city is a unique cultural gumbo of African, Indian, Cajun and Creole influences. Its charms are mesmerizing, infatuating visitors with exotic foods, a fantastic jazz tradition, historic architecture and nightlife unrivaled anywhere in the U.S. We recommended an extra day or two to indulge in some of the fun.

Norfolk, Virginia
There's so much naval lore here you might expect the locals to say "aye aye, sit!" when asked directions. Norfolk got its start shortly after Jamestown was founded in 1607, and it's now the site of the largest naval base in the world. Discover Colonial Williamsburg and see the House of Burgesses, where Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson once served.

Oranjestad, Aruba
Spotlessly clean and as Dutch as a wooden shoe, Aruba hosts some of the best pure white beaches in the Caribbean and a desert-like interior of divi-divi trees, aloe plants and cacti. The crystal waters off shore offer up gardens of coral and ghostly remains of ships wrecked on the reefs.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten
There's no formal border between Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin. No split personality, either. Just hypothetical line in the sand and beautiful Mullet Bay. On the Dutch side is a casino and shops and on the French, Charming cafes and high-fashion boutiques.

Roatan, Bay Islands
You'll receive a welcome as warm as the weather in this rustic, banana-shaped idyll of brilliant blue water, palm-fringed beaches and cooling trade winds. One of three Bay Islands just off the coast of Honduras, Roatan is home to a mix of eight different cultures who share a common pride in their homeland. Just off shore, the pristine Belizean Reef—teeming with marine life and some of the best pillar coral in the Caribbean—is considered one of the best dive destinations in the world.

Roseau, Dominica
Ecotourists love Dominica's waterfalls, lakes, freshwater swamps and hiking trails. Roseau's brightly painted buildings recall an earlier time in the Caribbean. The 40-acre botanical gardens were founded in 1891 as an annex to London's famous Kew Gardens.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan has quaint cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish architecture and old El Morro, a 16th-century fortress with arabesque towers. In contrast, New San Juan glitters with opulent resorts and casinos. And if you've been there and done that, do this: head for El Yunque rainforest, whose forested mountains are laced with hiking trails.

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
You'll see evidence of St. Croix's Scandinavian ancestry all around, especially in the charming Danish architecture and the sleepy little Victorian hamlet of Frederiksted. Nearby Buck Island has an underwater trail to guide snorkelers along a beautiful coral reef.

St. John, US Virgin Islands
An island that's two-thirds national park is bound to be beautiful. The beaches on St. John are unrivaled, and one of the most stunning seascapes in the world lies just off shore, much of it preserved in a vast underwater park. The hilly interior, draped with lush, verdant foliage and a coast lined with pristine coves add to one inescapable conclusion: Unspoiled St. John is one of the finest destinations in the Caribbean.

St. John's, Antigua
With a beach for each day of the year, a coastline peppered with safe harbors and a nearly unbroken protective wall of coral reef, Antigua was fought over by many nations. It has been staunchly British since Lord Horatio Nelson established a naval headquarters here in the 1700s.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
The waterfront warehouses where gold-hungry pirates once stored their booty now house treasure of another kind: duty-free china, watches, jewelry and other luxury goods. Shopping is one of the big onshore attractions in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the US Virgin Islands. Offshore, colorful coral reefs in turquoise waters lure snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And everywhere, there's spectacular scenery everyone can enjoy!

Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Lazy, laid-back Road Town serves up English pibs and pretty painted wooden buildings. But great bays and beaches are the big draw here. So is Sage National Park, where primeval stands of mahogany trees still rule the dense scrub.