caribbean

Following a couple of leisurely days on the family-friendly Legend of the Seas, your first port of call is Willemstad, Curaçao, where tastings of the island’ s signature blue liqueur and dips in the aquamarine sea are highly recommended.

The 5,610-guest ship then docks in Oranjestad, Aruba, where nature-lovers can admire geological formations and desertlike landscapes or explore the underwater world with a snorkel or in a submarine.

In Cabo Rojo, often considered the Dominican Republic’ s best-kept secret, the beaches are sublime and the waters teeming with marine life. The voyage culminates at Perfect Day CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’ s private island in the Bahamas, where the activities include a zip line and 135-foot-tall waterslide named Devil’ s Peak.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA Miami may get all the attention, but the South Florida city of Fort Lauderdale shouldn’ t be overlooked. Known as the‘ Venice of America’ for its canals and rivers, it has miles of navigable waterways and golden beaches. A temperate climate and over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year make it the perfect coastal hotspot.

Visitors departing from the world’ s thirdbusiest cruise homeport, Port Everglades, are ideally placed for pre- or post-cruise stays before sailing to the Caribbean and beyond. It’ s well worth spending some time at this cruising hub— think curated artwork from local and renowned artists in the terminals, free Wi-Fi and a new luxury hotel moments away.

From global foodie options to nightlife, the arts and world-class shopping, Fort Lauderdale is still something of an under-the-radar destination. While here, drop into the immersive MAD Arts Museum which features interactive exhibits from

artists and creatives. Alternatively, join a food tour to sample some of the city’ s best places to eat. Then there are the famous beaches, which stretch for 24 miles along the Atlantic Ocean and are a favourite with families.

With waterfront living a way of life here, a trip on a yellow water taxi to breeze past the multi-million-dollar mansions and impressive megayachts is a must. With narrated tours included, it’ s arguably the best way to navigate the city, with three routes hopping between notable points of interest including Margaritaville, Pompano Beach and Las Olas Boulevard.

Make sure to venture into the dense wetlands of the Everglades National Park, a subtropical jungle with nine ecosystems. Expect tours, activities, trails and up-close viewings of the resident wildlife including alligators, crocodiles, manatees and turtles. Waterways cover a third of the park, so there’ s also plenty of opportunity for kayaking and fishing.

images: getty; royal caribbean international; awl images

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