Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale

Originally a fort built by the U.S. Army in 1838, during the Second Seminole War, Ft. Lauderdale has little left of its warlike past. Instead the city welcomes visitors with broad beaches and an easy pace of life, plus convenient air and water connections that make the city a perfect place to begin or end a cruise.

This island provides common ground for two intrepid travelers who seemingly share nothing else: Christopher Columbus and Richard Branson. The former discovered and named Virgin Gorda (the land resembles a reclining woman with an ample belly), the latter was so enchanted that he now owns her neighboring island. Explore the Baths – an unusual area of massive boulders and rock formations with ethereal grottoes.

Asunny climate, easy-going hospitality and 365 superb beaches make this island a favorite for sun-seekers. Its beautiful National Park stretches for ten square miles – here you’ll find the famous English Harbor and Nelson’s Dockyard. Horatio Nelson was posted here early in his career and the harbor was the headquarters for the British fleet during the 1800s.

Explore the classic capital on the French side of St. Martin. Marigot is home to luxury boutiques, plenty of outdoor activities, and eclectic outdoor markets with tempting pastries, homegrown produce and fresh seafood.

Rich in history, La Fortaleza is the oldest governor’s mansion in the western hemisphere; be sure to see the mahogany clock which stopped in time when the last Spanish governor of Puerto Rico struck it with his sword on his way out, heralding the last moment of Spanish rule in the New World.

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. It lies on the island of New Providence, with neighboring Paradise Island accessible via Nassau Harbor bridges. A popular cruise-ship stop, the city has a hilly landscape and is known for beaches as well as its offshore coral reefs, popular for diving and snorkeling. It retains many of its typical pastel-colored British colonial buildings, like the pink-hued Government House.

Originally a fort built by the U.S. Army in 1838, during the Second Seminole War, Ft. Lauderdale has little left of its warlike past. Instead the city welcomes visitors with broad beaches and an easy pace of life, plus convenient air and water connections that make the city a perfect place to begin or end a cruise.