Eastern Caribbean Cruise 6 netter • Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Explorer of the Seas

A cruise out of Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular ways to experience the best of the Caribbean, but this coastal South Florida city is a worthy destination in and of itself. Port Everglades is the main cruise port near Fort Lauderdale, but just a few miles away you’ll find beautiful white-sand beaches, a lively food and shopping scene, and cerulean blue waterways dotted with impressive yachts and sailboats. Want to discover the best of Fort Lauderdale like a local? Go for an early-morning stroll along the Fort Lauderdale Beach promenade and watch the sun rise over the water. Then grab breakfast beachside at one of the many open-air cafes that line the waterfront. If you’re looking for a wilder way to spend the day, set out on an eco-kayak tour through mangrove forests, calm bays, and emerald-green inlets — Fort Lauderdale is home to more than 300 miles of waterways, which has earned it the nickname, “Venice of America.”

Puerto Plata caters to those searching for an authentic Dominican Republic experience. Visit the coffee and cacao plantations, swim in the clear waters, and indulge in either island tranquility or fast-paced beach attractions. Here you can walk the Malecon with locals, visit majestic mansions, and take in the impressive views from Mount Isabel de Torres.

When you take a cruise to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, you might envision that you're pulling into paradise — and you wouldn't be the first. Christopher Columbus made landfall here in 1492 on Guanahani Beach. Nearly 500 years later, astronaut John Glenn splashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast when he hurtled from space as the first person to orbit the earth in 1962. A trip to Grand Turk is bursting with monumental experiences. As you take in the island's natural appeal, don't forget to pay attention to its history with a visit to the Turks and Caicos National Museum. Visitors can learn about the islands' native Lucayan culture as well as its salt-raking industry. Head into the water on a snorkeling or diving adventure to observe the island's reefs and wrecks firsthand. Make sure that water experiences are the top of your list of things to do in Grand Turk.

Before leaving South Florida, be sure to visit the Florida Everglades for a thrilling afternoon gliding in a high-speed airboat across this expansive river of grass. Keep your eyes peeled for herons, turtles, and the American alligator— all of which are native to the wetlands.