Caribbean: Harvest Caye, Cozumel & Roatan

Miami is a city of perpetual reinvention — the Art Deco jewel of South Beach giving way to the street-art murals of Wynwood, the Cuban rhythms of Calle Ocho, and the glass-and-steel towers of a skyline that has redrawn itself every decade since Julia Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railroad south in 1896. Must-dos include strolling the pastel-fronted Ocean Drive at dusk and exploring the world-class collections at the Pérez Art Museum Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay. November through April delivers idyllic weather — warm and dry — while summer brings heat, humidity, and hurricane risk. Miami handles cruise departures elegantly, with the Port of Miami a short taxi ride from the best neighbourhoods.

Roatán, Honduras's jewel in the Caribbean Sea, is surrounded by the second-largest coral reef system on Earth — an underwater wilderness of extraordinary richness that draws divers and snorkellers from around the world. The West End and West Bay beaches deliver postcard perfection: sugar-white sands, turquoise shallows, and hammocks swaying beneath coconut palms. Jungle-clad hills hide zip lines, sloth sanctuaries, and Garifuna fishing villages preserving centuries-old Afro-Caribbean traditions. Local lobster, fresh from the reef and grilled with garlic, is the island's defining culinary pleasure. February through April offers the clearest waters and most radiant skies.

Harvest Caye is a private island resort off Belize's southern coast, offering pristine beaches and access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef's extraordinary marine life. Top experiences include reef snorkelling, Monkey River wildlife tours to spot howler monkeys and manatees, and visiting ancient Maya ruins at Nim Li Punit. November through April provides the driest weather, though snorkelling is superb year-round.

On Mexico's Southern Caribbean coast, Costa Maya blends ancient Maya heritage with turquoise Caribbean beauty in one of the region's most unspoiled cruising destinations. The nearby archaeological site of Chacchoben — its jungle-shrouded temples dating to 200 AD — rewards those who venture inland with an atmosphere of genuine discovery, far from the well-trodden ruins of the north. The protected Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world's second largest, offers exceptional snorkelling and diving directly offshore. November through April guarantees dry, sunny days with crystalline visibility in the water — the ideal season for exploring both reef and rainforest.

Sacred pilgrimage island of the ancient Maya and now Mexico's most celebrated diving destination, Cozumel offers two distinct experiences in perfect combination. The vast Palancar Reef — part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system — delivers some of the Caribbean's most spectacular underwater scenery, with drift diving through canyons draped in black coral and sea fans. Ashore, San Miguel's colourful streetlife, fresh ceviche, and handcrafted silver jewellery invite leisurely exploration. Diving conditions are excellent year-round, though November through April brings the clearest visibility and the calmest seas for surface excursions.

Miami is a city of perpetual reinvention — the Art Deco jewel of South Beach giving way to the street-art murals of Wynwood, the Cuban rhythms of Calle Ocho, and the glass-and-steel towers of a skyline that has redrawn itself every decade since Julia Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railroad south in 1896. Must-dos include strolling the pastel-fronted Ocean Drive at dusk and exploring the world-class collections at the Pérez Art Museum Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay. November through April delivers idyllic weather — warm and dry — while summer brings heat, humidity, and hurricane risk. Miami handles cruise departures elegantly, with the Port of Miami a short taxi ride from the best neighbourhoods.