Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean 6 Nights • Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Explorer of the Seas

A cruise out of the Fort Lauderdale cruise port 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.”

Grand Cayman strikes the perfect balance between glitzy glamor and easygoing island life. You can hit the famous Seven Mile Beach and just chill, Cayman Mama in hand. Swim with stingrays on a snorkeling safari. Or treat yourself to a little retail therapy at some of the best designer shops in the world.

From reggae bands to secluded waterfalls, Falmouth is positively “irie” (pleasing). Head to Chukkah Beach for a shoreside horseback ride, or get your culture fix during high tea at Good Hope Estate. And no trip is complete without jerk chicken and rum cake.

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.