Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean 9 netter • Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida • Adventure of the Seas

Most people know Orlando as America’s theme park capital. While a day (or several) dedicated to all your favorite rides and shows is a must for any vacation from Orlando, this shining city on Florida’s Space Coast offers so much more than that. If you’re cruising from Port Canaveral, get to know the area’s other wonders — like its locally loved surf spots, sprawling citrus groves, off-road motor trails and emerald golf courses. Start your day by watching the sunrise from the sands of the Canaveral National Seashore. Then grab breakfast at a cozy café in Historic Cocoa Village. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators as you zip through the St. John River marshlands on an exhilarating airboat ride. Or climb to the top of Exploration Tower for panoramic views of Port Canaveral, the cruise port near Orlando. And don’t forget to drop by the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Port Canaveral, where you can learn all about space travel and see both the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Saturn V moon rocket.

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.

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. 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.

As the home of Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral is the launching point for all-out adventure in Central Florida. Its beaches offer a mix of family-friendly shores and secluded swaths of sand. And with Orlando’s theme park sprawl only an hour away, you can easily mingle with your favorite characters. Beyond the parks lie equally amusing gems packed with Old Florida character. Kayak past manatees in the Banana River Lagoon and zip line above alligators at Brevard Zoo. Discover notable art museums and Park Avenue’s ritzy charm. Cruises from Port Canaveral give you access to trace the region’s roots at the Orange County Regional History Museum.