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

Key West, Florida - A distinctly American town with the look and feel of the Caribbean, Key West unlocks myriad attractions. Ride the Conch Train to the famous sights: Ernest Hemingway's home, the Audubon House, and the "Little White House", where President Truman spent many a working vacation. Hop a catamaran to America's only living coral reef to snorkel with dolphins. Or climb into the open cockpit of a World War II biplane for an unforgettable aerial tour of the Keys.

Bimini, Bahamas - For such a tiny isle, Bimini packs a huge adventure punch. Alice Town buzzes with a low-key vibe, while sugary sands lead to scuba diving and snorkeling in bright-blue waters filled with shipwrecks. This is a small-island paradise for sun-seekers and anglers. Here you can check out Bimini Museum exhibits, hike the Bimini Nature Trail, or soak up fresh-from-the-sea Bahamian seafood.

Nassau, Bahamas - Caribbean charm shines in the Bahamian capital, where you’re never more than a few steps away from rhythmic percussions, appetizing flavors, white-sand beaches, and some of the clearest waters in the world. This picture-perfect paradise was once a pirate’s haven— and you can explore its colorful past of buccaneers, blockade-runners and bootleggers along historical streets and at the three colonial fortresses that line the shores. If you’re looking for a more hands-on maritime adventure, look no further. Cruisers to Nassau can swim with stingrays, dive with dolphins, or spot colorful coral on a glass-bottom boat.