Norwegian Gem
December 20, 2024

Miami, Florida, offers docking at PortMiami. Travelers explore South Beach and Wynwood Walls. Excursions visit Everglades National Park. Local markets sell Cuban sandwiches. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures art deco and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes stone crab, a Floridian favorite. Souvenirs, like seashell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Seminole history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Miami’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of vibrant nightlife and scenic wetlands, making Miami an engaging destination for exploring Florida’s southern coast.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, provides docking at Puerto Plata Port. Travelers explore Amber Museum and Mount Isabel de Torres. Excursions include snorkeling at Sosúa Beach. Local markets sell mangu. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial forts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes sancocho, a Dominican favorite. Souvenirs, like amber jewelry, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taino history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Puerto Plata’s vibrant charm offers a dynamic Dominican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic beaches, and Caribbean culture, making Puerto Plata an engaging destination for exploration.

La Romana, Dominican Republic, offers docking at La Romana Port. Travelers explore Altos de Chavón and Saona Island. Excursions include snorkeling at Catalina Island. Local markets sell mangu. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial villages and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes sancocho, a Dominican favorite. Souvenirs, like amber crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taino history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. La Romana’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Dominican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural villages and scenic islands, making La Romana an engaging destination.

Oranjestad, Aruba, offers docking at Oranjestad Port. Travelers explore Arikok National Park and California Lighthouse. Excursions include snorkeling at Baby Beach. Local markets sell keshi yena. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures cacti landscapes and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes funchi, an Aruban favorite. Souvenirs, like aloe crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Arawak history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Oranjestad’s vibrant charm offers a lively Aruban stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural parks and scenic beaches, making Oranjestad an engaging destination for exploration.

Bridgetown, Barbados, offers docking at Bridgetown Port. Travelers explore Harrison’s Cave and Bathsheba Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Carlisle Bay. Local markets sell flying fish cutters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures limestone caves and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes cou-cou, a Bajan favorite. Souvenirs, like rum crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bajan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Bridgetown’s vibrant charm offers a lively Barbadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and scenic beaches, making Bridgetown an engaging destination for exploration.

St. John’s, Antigua, offers docking at St. John’s Port. Travelers explore Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights. Excursions include snorkeling at Cades Reef. Local markets sell fungi. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial docks and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes pepperpot, an Antiguan favorite. Souvenirs, like batik crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. St. John’s vibrant charm offers a lively Antiguan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic dockyards and scenic beaches, making St. John’s an engaging destination for exploration.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, offers docking at Port Zante. Travelers explore Brimstone Hill Fortress and Romney Manor. Excursions include snorkeling at Shitten Bay. Local markets sell johnnycakes. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial forts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes goat water, a St. Kitts favorite. Souvenirs, like batik crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Basseterre’s historic charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO fortresses and scenic beaches, making Basseterre an engaging destination for exploration.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, offers docking at Havensight Port. Travelers explore Blackbeard’s Castle and Magens Bay. Excursions include snorkeling at Coki Beach. Local markets sell callaloo. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures pirate history and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes fungi, a Virgin Islands favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Danish colonial history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Charlotte Amalie’s historic charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and cultural landmarks, making St. Thomas an engaging destination.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, offers docking at Old San Juan Port. Travelers explore El Morro Fortress and Old San Juan’s colorful streets. Excursions visit El Yunque Rainforest. Local markets sell mofongo. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial forts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes arroz con gandules, a Puerto Rican favorite. Souvenirs, like salsa crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taíno history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. San Juan’s cultural charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic forts and lush rainforests, making San Juan an engaging destination.

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Cruise Line Private Island), offers docking at a private port. Travelers explore Bertram’s Cove and cabana areas. Excursions include snorkeling at coral reefs. Local markets sell conch fritters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures palm-lined beaches and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes cracked conch, a Bahamian favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Lucayan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Great Stirrup Cay’s island allure offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of serene beaches and marine activities, making Great Stirrup Cay an engaging destination.

Returning to Miami — see Day 1 above for port info.