Eastern Caribbean & Panama Canal: U.S. Virgin Islands

Fort Lauderdale, also known as the Venice of America, invites visitors to explore its intricate canal system on a paddlewheeler or water taxi. Discover the city’s vibrant nautical lifestyle, upscale Las Olas Boulevard, and the cultural delights of the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District. An airboat adventure through the Everglades offers an unforgettable Florida experience, solidifying Fort Lauderdale as a top cruise destination.

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

Antigua and Barbuda beckon with their pristine beaches and vibrant history. For beach enthusiasts, Antigua presents a different shore for each day of the year, like the tranquil Half Moon Bay. Adventure seekers can explore the mysterious caves at Two Foot Bay in Barbuda, offering a glimpse into the island’s natural wonders.

History buffs will find Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Antigua, a compelling visit, showcasing the island's rich naval history. For a unique experience, take a boat tour to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary in Barbuda, one of the world’s largest, to observe these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Culinary explorers can delight in the local cuisine, with seafood and Creole dishes highlighting the islands’ cultural melting pot.

St. Johns, Antigua, a treasure trove of 365 pristine beaches, offers an unmatched Caribbean adventure. With Holland America, explore the intriguing Nelson's Dockyard, relax on sun-swept shores, and take in panoramic views from Shirley Heights Lookout for a memorable escape.

Top 3: Things To See In St. Johns, Antigua And Barbuda

• Shirley Heights Lookout - For spectacular island views, trek up to this military fort positioned an impressive 150 meters (490 feet) above sea level.
• Nelson's Dockyard - This historic maritime site dates back to the 1700s, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Betty’s Hope - One of the oldest sugar plantations on Antigua, Betty's Hope is now a museum.

St. Thomas, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, offers a blend of pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and rich history. Begin your day exploring Charlotte Amalie, the island's capital, where you can wander through the historic district filled with 17th-century Danish architecture. Don’t miss Blackbeard’s Castle, a watchtower that offers panoramic views of the harbor.

For a more relaxed experience, head to Magens Bay, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and soft white sand, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Adventure seekers can snorkel at Coki Beach, known for its colorful marine life. St. Thomas also boasts a range of duty-free shopping options, with boutique stores offering everything from local crafts to luxury goods.

The largest of the British Virgin Islands, Tortola is known for its shimmering beaches, oleander and hibiscus-covered mountainsides, and quaint towns tucked along coves. This early home to Blackbeard and Captain Kidd maintains its salty pirate legacy and rum-making traditions today. Ships will dock or anchor in Road Town Harbour.

Top Things to Do on Tortola:

• snorkel Anegada, the BVI’s only coral island
• hike Sage Mountain
• explore the Baths at Virgin Gorda
• take a catamaran to Jost Van Dyke Island

Road Town is located on Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands. The island is known for its shimmering beaches, oleander and hibiscus-covered mountainsides, and quaint towns tucked along coves. This early home to Blackbeard maintains its pirate legacy and rum-making traditions today. Ships will dock or anchor in Road Town Harbour.

Top Things to Do on Tortola:

• snorkel Anegada, the BVI’s only coral island
• hike Sage Mountain
• explore the Baths at Virgin Gorda
• take a catamaran to Jost Van Dyke Island

San Juan's picturesque cobblestone streets, plazas and chapels reflect its Spanish heritage. But the second oldest city in the Americas also boasts fine beaches, lush rainforests, verdant mountainsides, imposing forts and a lovely tropical climate. Ships will dock at this port.

Top Things to Do in San Juan:

• explore the El Yunque Rainforest
• visit the Bacardi Rum Distillery
• visit Fort Cristobal and the Old Town
• play a round of golf at the Palmes del Mar Golf Resort
• sail in San Juan Bay

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

Half Moon Cay, a picturesque private island owned by Holland America Line. Its award-winning, crescent-shaped beach stretches over 4km (2.5 miles) of white, powdery sand against a backdrop of turquoise waters, making it a haven for relaxation and water sports.

Despite its exclusivity, Half Moon Cay provides a range of activities, from horseback riding by the shore to snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs.

The island is also dedicated to preserving its untouched environment, with only a fraction developed for tourism. Visitors can explore a bird sanctuary, encounter stingrays up close at Stingray Cove, or enjoy leisurely walks along scenic nature trails.

With amenities designed to enhance the natural setting, Half Moon Cay embodies the essence of a tranquil Caribbean paradise.

Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches, arts, culture and events. More than just an arrival and departure port, the city offers cruise guests an abundance of activities. From shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, to gondola rides on the canals, to a historic riverfront.

Nature enthusiasts head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for walking and biking trails, travel down to the Florida Everglades for an airboat tour, or beat the heat with a trip to the Museum of Science and Discovery.

Ships will dock at one of the biggest cruise ports in the world, Port Everglades.

Half Moon Cay, a picturesque private island owned by Holland America Line. Its award-winning, crescent-shaped beach stretches over 4km (2.5 miles) of white, powdery sand against a backdrop of turquoise waters, making it a haven for relaxation and water sports.

Despite its exclusivity, Half Moon Cay provides a range of activities, from horseback riding by the shore to snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs.

The island is also dedicated to preserving its untouched environment, with only a fraction developed for tourism. Visitors can explore a bird sanctuary, encounter stingrays up close at Stingray Cove, or enjoy leisurely walks along scenic nature trails.

With amenities designed to enhance the natural setting, Half Moon Cay embodies the essence of a tranquil Caribbean paradise.

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

Dutch influence still lingers on this balmy Caribbean island, part of the former Netherlands Antilles until its independence in 1986. Aruba is a contrast, the island's arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up its coast.

Top Things to Do in Aruba:

• 4WD through the Aruba Arikok National Park
• explore the islands capital, Oranjestad
• climb the steps to the summit of Hooiberg
• swim and relax at Eagle Beach
• snorkel or dive the Antilla shipwreck

Incredibly white sands and cobalt blue seas make the small island of Aruba a popular destination. In the bustling freeport town of Oranjestad, sherbet-coloured Dutch colonial buildings, draped in bougainvillea, oleander and hibiscus are simply picturesque. Ships will dock at the cruise terminal. 

Top Things to Do in Oranjestad:

• 4WD through the Aruba Arikok National Park
• visit the National Archeological Museum
• climb the steps to the summit of Hooiberg
• swim and relax at Eagle Beach
• snorkel at De Palm Island

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

Cartagena is a feast for the senses, with its consistently warm air, bright colours, history and nightlife. Filled with legends, romance and splendour, the walled city features Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and cultural sites. Ships will dock at this port.

Top Things to Do in Cartagena:

• join a walking tour through the city
• visit the Rosario Islands
• explore the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
• visit the chocolate or emerald museums
• wander the streets of Old Town and the Plaza Santo Domingo
  

The Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering, links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitating global maritime trade. Stretching approximately 80km/50mi, this intricate waterway features three locks - Miraflores, Pedro Miguel, and Gatun - that elevate and lower vessels to overcome the variation in sea levels.

The Miraflores Locks' visitor center offers an insightful experience, allowing observers to witness massive ships navigating the locks. The Gatun Locks, a crucial part of the canal, showcase the impressive process of raising and lowering water levels to enable the passage of ships.

Traversing the Panama Canal provides a firsthand glimpse into the intricate operations that have shaped international shipping for over a century.

Home to the Panama Canal's Atlantic Ocean entryway, Colón was founded as a result of the California gold rush in 1850, the starting point of a railroad that carried prospectors across the Isthmus of Panama. Ships will dock at the cruise terminal.

Top Things to Do in Colon:

• explore Portobelo National Park
• watch ships pass through the Panama Canal
• check out the old quarter of Panama city, Casco Viejo
• shop until you drop at the Duty-Free Zone
• ride a vintage train on the Panama Railway

This bustling city is home to extravagant open-air markets that buzz with commerce, fascinating architecture and historical museums. Beyond the city lies a land that features thick rainforests, meandering rivers, and a variety of exotic wildlife. Ships will dock at the cruise terminal.

Top Things to Do in Puerto Limon:

• ride an aerial tram through the canopy of the Braulio Carrillo National Park
• cruise the waters of the Tortuguero Canals
• spot native animals in Cahuita National Park
• visit the wildlife rescue centre

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

Georgetown, the capital of the Cayman Islands, serves as a vibrant hub of activity and culture. Located on Grand Cayman, it is known for its excellent duty-free shopping, ranging from luxury boutiques to local crafts. The city also boasts a rich maritime history, which can be explored in depth at the Cayman Islands National Museum.

Visitors arriving by cruise are welcomed by the picturesque harbour and its crystal-clear waters, ideal for snorkelling and diving. Just offshore, the famous Stingray City offers a unique opportunity to swim alongside and feed the friendly southern stingrays in their natural habitat.

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

Fort Lauderdale, also known as the Venice of America, invites visitors to explore its intricate canal system on a paddlewheeler or water taxi. Discover the city’s vibrant nautical lifestyle, upscale Las Olas Boulevard, and the cultural delights of the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District. An airboat adventure through the Everglades offers an unforgettable Florida experience, solidifying Fort Lauderdale as a top cruise destination.