Miami, Florida - As far as vacation destinations go, Miami tops most sun-seekers’ lists. With its gorgeous beaches, vibrant neighborhoods and melting pot of cultures, the Magic City is the perfect place to spend a few days before your Caribbean island hop. Ahead of your cruise from Miami, jump-start your morning in true Miami style with a Cuban cafecito from a ventanita — a streetside shop window. Then climb the historic lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on quiet Key Biscayne before lounging on the island’s secluded sandy shores. If you’re looking for a bit more action, head to South Beach — home to world-class restaurants, nightlife, shopping and lively beaches, all set against snap-worthy Art Deco buildings. Art lovers who visit Miami can head to Wynwood and explore the neighborhood’s colorful street murals and local galleries. Or take a trip back in time at the Renaissance-style Vizcaya estate, which offers a glimpse into Miami’s dazzling past.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Puerto Plata, Dom. Rep. - In Puerto Plata, you’ll be greeted by verdant mountains, pristine beaches, and nature-filled adventures. Go for a swim at the awe-inspiring 27 Waterfalls complex. Hike through the lush, protected jungle of El Choco National Park, enjoying the park’s two lagoons. Swim with dolphins at World Ocean, the largest manmade dolphin habitat in the world, or grab a kayak and head out on the water at Manatee Reserve.

For history buffs, tour the Fortress of San Felipe and travel back in time to Spanish occupation. Don’t leave the Domincan Republic without sampling locally distilled rum or delicacies like la bandera and mofongo.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. - Named after a Danish Queen, Charlotte Amalie has one of the most breathtaking deepwater harbors in the world. The key sights of Charlotte Amalie are located within the town centre, making it easy to combine sightseeing with St. Thomas’ fantastic shopping opportunities. Eighteenth century architecture provides the perfect backdrop for walking tours and shopping here in the "Duty Free Capital of the World." For a dose of history, visit Emancipation Park, the American-Caribbean History Museum, or Bluebeard the pirate's castle at Magen’s Bay. If tropical bliss is what you're after, head to any of Charlotte Amalie’s pristine beaches, where the warm water, white sands and palm trees will lull you into deep relaxation!

Castries, St. Lucia - Watch natives fashion boats from gum trees, write postcards in a Creole cafe. Shop for black coral carvings and exquisite silk-screened fabrics.

Bridgetown, Barbados - An island some say is more British than Britain. Here, cricket is the national sport and afternoon tea goes without saying. But Barbados is true blue Caribbean as well, with classic sand beaches, and wild monkeys in the jungle.

Saint Johns, Antigua - An enterprising man, Codrington had come to Antigua to find out if the island would support the sort of large-scale sugar cultivation that already flourished elsewhere in the Caribbean. His initial efforts proved to be quite successful, and over the next fifty years sugar cultivation on Antigua exploded. By the middle of the 18th century the island was dotted with more than 150 cane-processing windmills--each the focal point of a sizeable plantation.

Today almost 100 of these picturesque stone towers remain, although they now serve as houses, bars, restaurants and shops. At Betty's Hope, Codrington's original sugar estate, visitors can see a fully-restored sugar mill.