Southern Caribbean Cruise 10 Nights • Cape Liberty (New York), New Jersey to Miami, Florida • Independence of the Seas

This cruise port, the first to be built in New Jersey in 40 years, provides the perfect setting to the beginning or end of any voyage. From the vantage point of the deck, you can look out over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and all of lower Manhattan.

Your ship departs promptly at 3:00 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

Cruises to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic are your gateway to the perfect beach day. This secluded hideaway located in the southwestern corner of the island beckons with quiet, captivating shores dotted with swaying palm trees and surrounded by lush rainforests and mangroves. Top-rated beaches include Playa Pedernales, Playa Salinas and Playa Cabo Rojo. Each is characterized by calm, crystal-clear waters, sugary-white sand and coral reefs teeming with marine life. If you crave a more active outdoor adventure, you can venture into the area’s massive Jaragua National Park, home to caves with ancient rock art, placid lagoons and dense tropical forests.

The capital of Aruba is made for walking. Browse the candy-colored townhouses, architectural details, and open-air patios that define this charming Dutch community. Gentle trade winds tame the Caribbean sun, shoo the infrequent rain, and maintain the perfect conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding. When it’s beach time, dig your toes into the soft white sand and soak your skin in the warm Caribbean water. After lounging awhile, find spas, restaurants, and bars just steps away. Divers and snorkelers flock to cruise to Aruba for its vibrant coral reefs, neon tropical fish, and eerie old shipwrecks. With just a mask and snorkel, you can watch the fish dart in and out of Antilla, a major wreck. Board a catamaran for a peaceful day of sailing and snorkeling, recharging with a barbecue lunch at Pelican Pier on Palm Beach. Or, venture to De Palm Island for water sliding and banana boat riding. When it’s time to shop, browse Aruba’s boutiques and find the leading designers at Renaissance Mall. Uncover local crafts in the marketplace nearby. Both are close to the port. Aruba serves French fare with a Caribbean twist. Find everything from haute cuisine to casual food. Maybe even discover an ostrich burger on the menu. Of course, the fish doesn’t get any fresher.

Experience a traditional Dutch cityscape painted in distinctly Caribbean colors. You'll want to stroll the magnificent waterfront, admire the colonial buildings, and explore the backstreet cafés, shops, museums, and galleries of Willemstad.


Visit 17th-century Fort Amsterdam in the historic area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Netherlands established a settlement here in 1634. Today it reflects Spanish and Portuguese styles, as well as Dutch. But on cruises to Curaçao, the sun warms your skin to remind you it's the Caribbean.

Swim with charming, clever dolphins—an unforgettable experience—or go below the surface on a reef dive. View otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites inside Hato Caves and take a trolley tour to learn about Willemstad’s landmarks.

After a day of discovery, sit back, relax, and watch the sun set over a glass of traditional blue curaçao. Landhuis Chobolobo, a 19th-century historic mansion you can tour, is home to the famous liqueur.

Curaçao cuisine incorporates Indonesian, as well as Dutch traditions. Try the local waffles, fresh-cut fries drizzled in toppings, and raw herring served with pickles. Favorites include stewed goat, meat wrapped in banana leaves, and others.

In the Punda shopping district, explore Willemstad’s vibrant open-air markets. You'll find traditional blue Delft figurines and wheels of cheese. Otrobanda offers high-end designer options. Browse the Floating Market, the New Market, and the Old Market, too.

Puerto Plata was inhabited by the Taino people for centuries before Christopher Columbus arrived and founded the city in the early 1500s. By the 20th century, Puerto Plata had emerged as the Dominican Republic’s main tourism hub. You can paddle through a manatee reserve or zipline over treetops. Go for a swim at the awe-inspiring 27 Waterfalls complex. Hike through the lush, protected jungle of El Choco National Park, enjoying the park’s two lagoons. Swim with dolphins at World Ocean, the largest manmade dolphin habitat in the world, or grab a kayak and head out on the water at Manatee Reserve. Nature, adventure, history – Puerto Plata has it all.

Welcome to the official Cruise Capital of the World, a world-class city with a world-class beach. Before your cruise from Miami, stay and play. Within view of Miami cruises, colorful characters from macaws to monkeys greet you at Jungle Island, with pink flamingos, white cockatoos, and green parrots. In Miami Beach, iconic Lummus Park frames the Art Deco hotels, fashion models, and fancy cars. From South Pointe Park, watch the ships glide out to sea. On Lincoln Road, you could spend three months eating at a different restaurant every day—trust us, we did it. Up the coast at Bal Harbour Shops, designer boutiques challenge fashionistas, who shop till they drop at Haulover Park Beach, where the north end is clothing optional.

Cruises from Miami dock near Bayfront Park, a place to stroll the bay and get a bite. The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science just debuted with a spectacular planetarium, and the new Pérez Art Museum Miami truly embraces its bay-side perch. A bit north, hipsters have turned graffiti into serious street art in the world's most unique arts district, Wynwood, while the Miami Design District attracts fans of interiors and fashion.

In Little Havana, urban pioneers rehab old buildings and open new restaurants, bars, and shops. In Mediterranean-style Coral Gables, you can swim in Venetian Pool, a coral quarry transformed into a giant swimming hole with waterfalls, caves, and grottoes. Woodsy Coconut Grove is a cool neighborhood surrounding a marina where Miami City Hall originally served as the seaplane base. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens displays priceless furnishings and art in a grand estate.

Dining in Greater Miami is fresh on many levels. The seafood served tonight was still swimming this morning. Before cruises from Miami, visitors enjoy Florida lobster, grouper, mahi-mahi, pompano, snapper, and stone crabs. The go-to lunch is a Cuban sandwich, and the coffee is Cuban, too. Enjoy anything orange—slices, juices, sauces, marmalades, and dressings. More fruits include mango, papaya, jackfruit, avocado, and passion. The must-have dessert is sweet, tart, creamy, key lime pie, made from yellow key limes, not green Persian limes. Take advantage of Miami cruises to indulge.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.