Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is South Florida's reinvented waterfront city, where three hundred miles of inland waterways, the NSU Art Museum's contemporary collection, and the tree-lined Las Olas Boulevard create a cruise departure point of genuine sophistication at Port Everglades. Arrive a day early between November and April to explore the 'Venice of America' by water taxi and discover the dining scene that has replaced Spring Break with year-round culinary ambition.

Grand Cayman is the Caribbean's most refined island — a place where the world's finest offshore finance sits comfortably beside Seven Mile Beach, consistently ranked among the hemisphere's most beautiful stretches of sand. Stingray City, where southern stingrays congregate in the shallow waters of a natural sandbar, offers one of the ocean's most magical wildlife encounters, while the reefs along the island's north wall deliver exceptional diving in crystalline visibility. George Town's duty-free shopping and exceptional dining — particularly fresh Caribbean lobster — complete a very polished package. November through April brings the most reliably sunny, dry weather.

Fuerte Amador is Panama City's cruise gateway on the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, offering front-row views of the world's most important shipping lane and access to the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo old quarter. Must-do experiences include watching ships transit the Miraflores Locks, exploring colonial plazas, and tasting ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos. December through April's dry season offers the most pleasant weather.

Fukuoka is widely regarded as Japan's greatest food city, where legendary tonkotsu ramen, evening yatai street stalls, and mentaiko spicy cod roe define a culinary culture without rival. Must-dos include slurping ramen at a Nakasu yatai, visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine, and exploring the Hakata old quarter. Spring and autumn offer the best weather, with the spectacular Yamakasa festival heating up early July.

The Panama Canal is one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements—a 50-mile waterway that lifts ships 26 meters through locks to cross between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Must-dos include watching the locks operation from open deck, visiting the Miraflores Visitor Center, and exploring Panama City's restored Casco Viejo. The dry season (December–April) offers the clearest views for transit day.

Manta, Ecuador is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Norwegian Cruise Line. Must-do experiences include exploring the vibrant local markets for regional specialties and fresh seafood, and discovering the waterfront quarter where maritime heritage meets contemporary energy. The optimal time to visit is November through April, when dry season brings clear skies and calm seas.

Salaverry is the Peruvian port gateway to Chan Chan — the largest pre-Columbian adobe city in South America — and the polychrome Moche temples that together create one of the Western Hemisphere's richest archaeological landscapes. Must-dos include the carved friezes of Chan Chan's Tschudi Complex, the vivid murals at Huaca de la Luna, and ceviche at colonial Trujillo's Plaza de Armas. Visit year-round; the coast is dry, with June through September best for archaeological site visits.

Callao, Peru, delivers South America's irresistible combination of dramatic landscapes, vibrant culture, and extraordinary biodiversity. Essential experiences include exploring local markets, tasting the distinctive regional cuisine, and venturing into the surrounding natural environments. Best visited May through September, when drier conditions prevail and temperatures remain pleasant. Cruise lines including Cunard feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

General San Martín, in Peru's Paracas region, is the gateway to the wildlife-rich Islas Ballestas, the dramatic Paracas National Reserve, and the pisco bodegas of the Ica Valley where Peru's celebrated grape brandy originates. Must-dos include boat tours among sea lions and Humboldt penguins, viewing the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph, and tasting fresh ceviche with artisanal pisco. The Southern Hemisphere summer from December through March offers the best conditions.

Coquimbo is a Pacific port in Chile's Norte Chico that serves as the gateway to the Elqui Valley—one of Earth's clearest-skied locations, home to international observatories and traditional pisco distilleries. Must-dos include a pisco tasting tour followed by stargazing at a public observatory and visiting the Humboldt penguin reserve at Isla Damas. Clear skies prevail year-round, with winter (June-August) offering the best stargazing conditions.

San Antonio, Chile, Chile is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Seabourn. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is April through October, when warm weather and extended daylight create ideal conditions.

Puerto Montt is the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, where the Pan-American Highway ends and a landscape of volcanoes, fjords, and the UNESCO-listed wooden churches of Chiloé island begins. Visit October through March via Seabourn or Viking for Osorno Volcano reflections, king crab at the Angelmó market, and the Lake District's Germanic towns that serve classical concerts with volcano-and-lake views.

Puerto Chacabuco is the gateway to Chile's wildest Patagonian region, where the Northern Ice Field feeds glaciers into turquoise fjords and population density drops below one person per square kilometre. Must-dos include a boat excursion to the calving San Rafael Glacier, tasting centolla king crab, and marvelling at the raw beauty of the Aysen fjord system. Visit November through March for the mildest Southern Hemisphere summer weather.

The Chilean Fjords are a 1,600-kilometer wilderness of glaciers, temperate rainforest, and channels along Patagonia's coast, where tidewater glaciers calve into jade-green waters and Magellanic penguins, condors, and dolphins thrive in one of Earth's last great frontiers. Must-dos include glacier viewing, wildlife observation from the deck, and transiting the Beagle Channel. December through February offers the longest days and mildest conditions in this notoriously unpredictable climate.

Pio XI Glacier, Chile is a spectacular maritime passage celebrated for its dramatic natural scenery and wildlife encounters, featured on expedition itineraries by Seabourn. Travelers should position themselves on open decks with quality binoculars for the best viewing experience, and take advantage of Zodiac excursions when conditions permit. The optimal season is November through March, when mild temperatures and long days favor unhurried exploration.

Ella is a serene hill-country village in Sri Lanka's tea-covered central highlands, famous for the spectacular Colombo-to-Badulla railway, the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, and panoramic hiking trails. Must-dos include riding the highland train, touring a tea factory, and hiking Little Adam's Peak for 360-degree mountain views. January through March and July through September offer the clearest weather between monsoon seasons.

Punta Arenas is Chile's southernmost continental city and the historic gateway to the Strait of Magellan, Antarctica, and Tierra del Fuego. Visitors should not miss savouring fresh centolla king crab at a waterfront restaurant and taking a boat excursion to the Magellanic penguin colonies at Tucker Islets. The best time to visit is during the austral summer from November through March, when temperatures are mild, daylight stretches past ten in the evening, and expedition cruise schedules are at their peak.

Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is a captivating blend of history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, making it a unique port of call in Argentina. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like centolla and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of nearby Los Glaciares National Park. The best time to visit is during the summer months of December to March, when the weather is mild, and the scenery is at its most stunning.

The Antarctic Experience encompasses expedition cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula, where towering icebergs, glacier-carved channels, and vast penguin colonies create one of Earth's most profound travel encounters. Must-dos include zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, cruising the mirror-calm Lemaire Channel, and watching humpback whales feed in krill-rich waters. December and January offer near-continuous daylight, the warmest conditions, and peak wildlife activity during the austral summer.

The Antarctic Experience encompasses expedition cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula, where towering icebergs, glacier-carved channels, and vast penguin colonies create one of Earth's most profound travel encounters. Must-dos include zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, cruising the mirror-calm Lemaire Channel, and watching humpback whales feed in krill-rich waters. December and January offer near-continuous daylight, the warmest conditions, and peak wildlife activity during the austral summer.

Port Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands, is a remote South Atlantic settlement where painted-roof cottages, a whalebone-arched cathedral, and nineteenth-century shipwrecks frame one of the world's finest wildlife frontiers. Visitors should not miss the king penguin colony at Volunteer Point and the extraordinary albatross rookeries of Steeple Jason Island. The austral summer months of November through March offer the mildest weather and peak wildlife activity, coinciding with the expedition cruise season that brings luxury lines through these waters.

Puerto Madryn, gateway to Patagonia's UNESCO-listed Península Valdés, offers marine wildlife encounters rivaling the Galápagos—southern right whales breaching meters from shore, elephant seal colonies, orca beach-hunting, and Magellanic penguin rookeries. Welsh-heritage afternoon teas and Patagonian lamb roasted on iron crosses over open fires define this windswept coastal city's unique cultural blend. Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Viking anchor in Golfo Nuevo to access one of the planet's greatest wildlife destinations.

Punta del Este is Uruguay's most glamorous coastal resort, a slender peninsula between the Río de la Plata estuary and the open Atlantic, renowned for pristine beaches, world-class *asado* dining, and the iconic *La Mano* sculpture. Visitors should not miss a wood-fired feast at a traditional *parrilla* and a day trip to the UNESCO-listed cobblestone streets of Colonia del Sacramento. The best season to visit is December through March, when the Southern Hemisphere summer brings warm temperatures, vibrant cultural events, and the full energy of South America's most elegant seaside retreat.

Montevideo, Uruguay's gracious capital on the Río de la Plata, enchants with its Art Deco–lined Ciudad Vieja, the legendary Mercado del Puerto where asado and Tannat wine elevate lunch to ceremony, and a twenty-kilometer Rambla promenade perfect for unhurried afternoon strolls. Day trips to glamorous Punta del Este or UNESCO-listed Colonia del Sacramento round out the experience. The Southern Hemisphere summer — November through March — brings warm days and vibrant outdoor culture, making it the ideal season for a cruise port call.

Twice-founded and once the wealthiest city in Latin America, Buenos Aires seduces with the world-class acoustics of the Teatro Colón, the ritual theatre of a wood-fire asado at a San Telmo parrilla, and the cobblestoned milongas where tango was born and where it burns still. Cross the estuary to UNESCO-listed Colonia del Sacramento or head south toward the glaciers of Patagonia. As South America's premier cruise hub for Antarctic expeditions and round-the-continent voyages, the city is most inviting from November through March.

Twice-founded and once the wealthiest city in Latin America, Buenos Aires seduces with the world-class acoustics of the Teatro Colón, the ritual theatre of a wood-fire asado at a San Telmo parrilla, and the cobblestoned milongas where tango was born and where it burns still. Cross the estuary to UNESCO-listed Colonia del Sacramento or head south toward the glaciers of Patagonia. As South America's premier cruise hub for Antarctic expeditions and round-the-continent voyages, the city is most inviting from November through March.

Santos is Brazil's largest port and a historical gem, offering a blend of colonial architecture and vibrant local culture. Must-do experiences include sampling local specialties like “pastel de camarão” at the Mercado Municipal and exploring the nearby beaches of Búzios. The best season to visit is during the southern hemisphere's summer from December to February, when the weather is warm and the beaches are bustling.

Ilha Grande is a car-free island paradise off Rio de Janeiro's coast, where Atlantic rainforest descends to over a hundred pristine beaches and the waters teem with sea turtles and tropical fish. Visitors hike to the legendary Lopes Mendes beach, snorkel in the crystalline Lagoa Azul, and dine on fresh moqueca at waterfront restaurants in the barefoot village of Abraão. MSC Cruises and Oceania Cruises anchor here on South American itineraries, with March through November offering the best conditions.

Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's spectacular coastal metropolis, where granite peaks plunge into Atlantic beaches and imperial history meets vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture. Visitors should not miss the panoramic ascent of Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car and a traditional Saturday feijoada feast at a local boteco. The best season for cruise visits is October through March, when southern hemisphere summer brings warm temperatures and the city pulses with pre-Carnival energy, though the shoulder months of September and April offer pleasant weather with thinner crowds.

Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's first capital, is a cultural hub known for its Afro-Brazilian heritage and stunning colonial architecture. Must-do experiences include savoring traditional dishes such as acarajé and quindim, and exploring the lively Pelourinho district. The best season to visit is during the dry months from September to March, when the city's vibrant festivals and street life are in full swing.

Recife is Brazil's "Venice," a river-laced northeastern capital built across islands and bridges, where Dutch colonial history, Afro-Brazilian culture, and extraordinary street food converge. Must-dos include the Marco Zero square and Brennand sculptures, exploring UNESCO-listed Olinda's colonial churches, and tasting tapioca crepes and bolo de rolo cake. Visit September through March for dry, sunny weather.

Fortaleza is Brazil's sun-drenched northeastern capital, known as the "City of Light" for its 2,800 hours of annual sunshine, where traditional jangada fishing boats still launch at dawn along endless golden beaches. Must-dos include sampling carne de sol at beachfront barracas, dune buggy excursions to Canoa Quebrada's terracotta cliffs, and exploring the lace-filled Mercado Central. Visit July through December for optimal weather with cooling trade winds.

Icoaraci, a riverside district of Belém at the Amazon’s mouth, is celebrated for its pre-Columbian Marajoara pottery workshops where artisans continue thousand-year-old ceramic traditions. Must-dos include visiting the ceramic studios, exploring Belém’s legendary Ver-o-Peso market, and tasting Amazonian specialties like duck in tucupi sauce. Visit June through November for drier weather in this equatorial gateway to the Amazon.

Devil's Island is the most notorious of French Guiana's Îles du Salut, where France imprisoned 80,000 convicts over a century in one of history's most brutal penal colonies. Must-dos include exploring the haunting ruins of Île Royale and the solitary confinement cells of Île Saint-Joseph, and reflecting on the contrast between tropical beauty and human suffering. July through November offers the driest weather for visiting these profoundly moving Atlantic islands.

Bridgetown, Barbados's compact and convivial capital, carries three centuries of uninterrupted British colonial heritage — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgian townhouses, coral-stone churches, and the Garrison Savannah, whose racecourse is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere — all infused with the irresistible rhythms of a proud Caribbean nation. The island's culinary scene has matured into one of the Caribbean's most sophisticated, with flying fish cutter sandwiches from roadside stalls competing for devotion with the elegant seafood preparations of the Platinum Coast's celebrated restaurants. Visit December through May for the driest season; the island's sheltered west coast offers superlative year-round sailing conditions.

Castries, the capital of St. Lucia, is a vibrant port steeped in history and culture, offering stunning architecture and a lively market atmosphere. Must-do experiences include savoring the national dish, green fig and saltfish, and exploring the picturesque Marigot Bay. The best time to visit is during the dry season from December to April, when the weather is perfect for exploring this Caribbean gem.

Basseterre, capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis — the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas — is the gateway to an island whose volcanic drama and layered colonial history distinguish it from every other Caribbean port. Mount Liamuiga's cloud-capped summit and its rainforest-filled crater lake await hikers, while the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress, one of the finest surviving examples of British colonial military architecture, commands sweeping views across neighboring islands. The surrounding plantation inns — sugar estates converted into intimate boutique hotels — offer the most atmospheric accommodation in the Eastern Caribbean. Visit November through April for the driest, sunniest weather.

San Juan, Puerto Rico's radiant colonial capital, is one of the Americas' most compellingly layered cities — a place where the sixteenth-century fortresses of El Morro and San Cristóbal stand sentinel over streets of painted townhouses and flowering balconies. The cobblestoned lanes of Old San Juan pulse with world-class rum bars, ceviche stands, and rooftop restaurants serving the island's vibrant cocina criolla. La Fortaleza, the oldest executive mansion in the Western Hemisphere still in use, anchors the historic district. Florecer, the district's famed bioluminescent bay, glows emerald after dark. January through April offers the most idyllic conditions.

Fort Lauderdale is South Florida's reinvented waterfront city, where three hundred miles of inland waterways, the NSU Art Museum's contemporary collection, and the tree-lined Las Olas Boulevard create a cruise departure point of genuine sophistication at Port Everglades. Arrive a day early between November and April to explore the 'Venice of America' by water taxi and discover the dining scene that has replaced Spring Break with year-round culinary ambition.