Southern Caribbean Cruise 11 netter • Baltimore, Maryland • Vision of the Seas

If you’re kicking off your vacation in Maryland, you have more to look forward to than your time in the tropics. Cruises from Baltimore offer the perfect mix of big-city bustle and vacation vibes. This northeast capital overflows with rich history, plenty of iconic sights, and a top-notch food scene you won’t want to miss out on. Spend the morning walking around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where stately tall ships offer a glimpse into this East Coast city’s rich maritime legacy. Check out the National Aquarium, home to more than 750 species, an open-ocean shark tank, and a multi-story coral reef exhibit. And be sure to visit the star-shaped Fort McHenry, birthplace of America’s “Star-Spangled Banner” anthem. In between city sights, make a pit stop at one of Baltimore’s many acclaimed restaurants, locally loved coffee and tea shops, or craft breweries. Add a day or two to your vacation to experience the best of Baltimore before or after you set sail — you’ll be glad you did.

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix has it all— gorgeous natural scenery and colonial towns perfect for wandering. Walk the cobbled streets of Frederiksted and Christiansted for a taste of Dutch Victorian architecture. Or roam sprawling plantations and crumbling sugar mills dotting the countryside. And don’t miss the island’s white powder beaches, like Cane Bay and Rainbow Beach.

St. Maarten sits at the crossroads of the Caribbean and the Atlantic. It’s also a place where over 120 cultures meet. You can taste it in the island’s cuisine, which is rated among the best in the Caribbean. And you can feel it whether you stay in the upbeat, party-centric Dutch side where the port is located, or cross into the laid-back, local-driven French side of the island.

In the capital of St. John, you can peek into local craft shops or explore a centuries-old British naval base in Nelson’s Dockyard. If beachcombing is more your speed, choose from any of Antigua’s 365 beaches. The island offers the best of both worlds, from bustling markets and candy-colored colonial buildings to winding rainforest trails and hidden coves.

St. Thomas offers all the action of a lively city and the allure of a secluded island getaway. Stroll through the colorful markets of Charlotte Amalie, or unwind on the sugary sand beach at Magen’s Bay. Whether you’re looking to turn up or tune out, you’ll feel a world away in this unique slice of paradise.

Baltimore’s nickname— Charm City— is well earned. This town’s charisma runs deep— from the tall ships floating in the Inner Harbor to the top-notch museums. It’s an East Coast slice of American history where you can visit Edgar Allan Poe’s grave, and tour the fort where America’s national anthem was penned. And for authentic Baltimorean neighborhood experiences, nothing beats sipping pints in the pubs of Fells Point, cracking open steamy crabs in Canton’s seaside shacks, and enjoying sweeping skyline views from the top of Federal Hill.