Discover the cosmopolitan beauty of Miami along Florida's fabled Gold Coast. Stroll through carefully preserved Art Deco neighborhoods and witness the trendy lifestyle that is South Beach. Enjoy open-air shopping in the Bayside Marketplace and shop for a bite to eat in Coconut Grove, with its harborside cafes and quaint, artistic settings.

The tiny island of Aruba is the smallest of the ABC Islands, which include Barbados and Curacao. Aruba lies about 15 miles north of Venezuela and has limited vegetation. The landscape consists of cacti and the curiously wind-bent divi divi trees. You may also be interested in climbing atop some of the huge boulders and exploring some of its caves. Of course, the main attractions to this island are its magnificent beaches against the turquoise waters full of spectacular marine life, which lure scores of sunbathers, snorkelers, and divers each year to the island.

Though small, Aruba has room for some luxury as well. If you travel along Palm Beach, you will find the several miles of this white sand lined with a string of hotels with glitzy casinos, restaurants and exotic boutiques. The crystal-clear waters of this beach are ideal for swimming and all kinds of watersports. However, if you prefer to stay dry, you are more than welcome to enjoy Aruba''s exotic underwater world from the glass bottom boats or on a submarine excursion.

The ship passes through a channel in the reef, into a broad, perfectly protected natural harbor. This is Willemstad, where Dutch gingerbread houses, superb shopping, excellent restaurants and bustling casinos abound. Nature buffs will love the exotic plants and tropical birdlife of Christoffel National Park. And don''t forget to sample the famous Cura�ao liqueur, still made here.

Called the "Spice Island" for its abundance of cinnamon and nutmeg, still sold at the waterfront market, Grenada is spicy in many other ways. St. George's has historic buildings in brick and mellow stone, and one of the loveliest harbors in the Caribbean. The coastline is full of secluded coves, while the mountainous interior is rich in rainforests and frothy rivers.

Fine dining, scuba diving, sea excursions, and festivals are only the beginning of the many wonderful activities on St. Vincent.Museums and archaeological sights highlight the rich heritage of the island, and so many of the attractions combine education and entertainment.

Aristocratic, stately and gracious, Charleston personifies the flavor of the Old South. Tour the town's many historic homes and gardens by coach or by horsedrawn carriage. Boone Hall Plantation recreates the antebellum grandeur, and the Isle of Hope recalls the Low Country past. Tour Fort Sumter where, on April 12, 1861, local troops opened fire beginning the Civil War.

Steeped in naval lore, Norfolk got its start shortly after Jamestown was founded in 1607. Its deep-water harbor is now the site of the largest naval base in the world. On an excursion, discover 18th-century Virginia in Colonial Williamsburg, restored by John D. Rockefeller as a gift to all Americans. See the Governor's Palace and the House of Burgesses, where Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson served prior to the Revolution.

Nassau, the capital of New Providence Island in the Bahamas, is a majestic, scenic adventure that you do not want to miss. New Providence island, Nassau has an attractive harbour, a colourful blend of old world and colonial architecture and a busy port. The tropical climate and natural beauty of the Bahamas has made Nassau a popular tourist destination, with a reputation for relaxing days and an exciting nightlife. Lynden Pindling International Airport, the major airport for the Bahamas, is located about 10 miles west of downtown Nassau, and has daily flights to major cities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. Summertime temperatures rarely exceed 33 degrees Celsius (92 degrees Fahrenheit) and the winter months have daytime temperatures between 20 and 26C (68 and 80 F), rarely falling below 10C or 50F. The city's proximity to the United States (180 miles or 290 km east-southeast of Miami, Florida) has also contributed to its popularity as a vacation spot, especially after the banning of American travel to Cuba. The world famous Atlantis resort on nearby Paradise Island accounts for more tourist arrivals to the city than any other hotel property. The mega resort also employs over 6,000 Bahamians, the largest outside of government.

A place of ultimate relaxation, Great Stirrup Cay (pronounced "key") was the very first private island bought for exclusive use by a cruise line, and as such it maintains its status at the forefront of secluded areas. It is located 65 miles north of Nassau and is one of the 700 islands in the Bahamas. On this island there are 2400 acres of uninhabited land that erupts with natural beauty; the lush wooded land provides an ecological refuge for plants and wildlife. Even with the other passengers, there are a wealth of opportunities for privacy, whether taking an unguided hike to the historic lighthouse, sipping drinks under coconut palms in the hammocks, or finding your own untouched piece of paradise. This cay is a true rest and relaxation destination.