CME Cruise Conference

Tampa, Florida - A myriad of attractions awaits you during your stay in the Tampa area: the active nightlife of Tampa's Ybor City, it's Aquarium, and Busch Gardens for those with kids (even Walt Disney World is within striking distance). Magnificent beaches are a short ride away (Ft. DeSoto being a rare jewel of a beach without hotels and "McMansions" crowding out nature), then there's the Dali museum in St. Petersburg's hip, food-and-art-centric Downtown. To the south, in quieter Sarasota, you can visit the palatial mansion and art museum of the king of the circus: John Ringling. It's a great vacation destination, in itself. Be sure to plan a couple days before or after your cruise to soak it in.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Costa Maya, Mexico - Exploring the dense tropical vegetation and wide sandy bays of the Costa Maya, it's easy to imagine the days when sacrifice and slavery, rite and ritual were rampant in the Mayan culture. Even today, the countless ruins of temple walls, stairs and secret pathways exude magic and mystery. And when your archaeology lesson is complete, glorious stretches of coral sand may inspire you to build your own empire-of sand castles, of course!

Belize City, Belize - From the thriving, pulsating Caribbean capital of Belize, paradise calls. The longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere (175 miles long and second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef) is dotted with cayes teeming with a dazzling array of colorful fish and tropical plants. Inland, find dense virgin jungles, tumbling jade-green rivers and verdant valleys. An eco-tourist's paradise.

Roatan, Honduras - Roatan Island, Honduras is an adventure traveler's vacation paradise with its blue skies, clear turquoise water and year-round moderate climate. Go scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins or, ashore, take a canopy tour, ride horses, explore tropical scenery, shop for island crafts, walk the beach and view butterfly and floral gardens.

Cozumel, Mexico - The Conquistadors first saw Mexico from the shores of Cozumel while searching for gold. Today, visitors to the island continue to seek out gold and silver jewelry in the shops of San Miguel while having a great time in its many local bars and restaurants. Plus, the waters around Cozumel's sheltered coral reefs make this one of the best snorkeling areas in the world.