Spirit of Discovery
January 6, 2025

Portsmouth, England, provides docking at Portsmouth Port. Travelers explore the Historic Dockyard and HMS Victory. Excursions visit Stonehenge’s ancient stones. Local markets sell pork pies. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures naval ships and Solent vistas. Dining onboard includes fish and chips, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance dockyard walks. Portsmouth’s naval heritage offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic ships, prehistoric sites, and coastal charm, making Portsmouth an engaging destination for exploring England’s maritime and ancient history.

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, offers docking at Funchal Port. Travelers explore Monte Palace Gardens and Funchal Cathedral. Excursions include levada walks. Local markets sell bolo de mel. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures lush gardens and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes espada com banana, a Madeiran favorite. Souvenirs, like embroidery crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Madeiran history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance levada hikes. Funchal’s scenic charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of botanical beauty and scenic coasts, making Funchal an engaging destination.

Castries, St. Lucia, offers docking at Castries Port. Travelers explore Pigeon Island and Sulphur Springs. Excursions include snorkeling at Anse Chastanet. Local markets sell green fig salad. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Piton peaks and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes callaloo soup, a St. Lucian favorite. Souvenirs, like cocoa 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. Castries’ vibrant charm offers a lively St. Lucian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of volcanic landscapes and marine adventures, making Castries 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.

Port Elizabeth, Bequia, Grenadines, offers docking at Port Elizabeth Port. Travelers explore Admiralty Bay and local craft markets. Excursions include snorkeling at Friendship Bay. Local markets sell callaloo. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for beach tours. Photography captures colorful waterfronts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes roti, a Grenadines favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bequia’s maritime history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Port Elizabeth’s island charm offers a vibrant Grenadines stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic bays, marine activities, and local culture, making Port Elizabeth an engaging destination for exploring Bequia’s Caribbean allure and heritage.

Willemstad, Curaçao, offers docking at Willemstad Port. Travelers explore Queen Emma Bridge and Punda’s colorful buildings. Excursions include snorkeling at Tugboat Beach. Local markets sell keshi yena. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Dutch architecture and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes stobá, a Curaçaoan favorite. Souvenirs, like blue curaçao crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Antillean history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Willemstad’s vibrant charm offers a lively Curaçaoan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of colonial heritage and marine adventures, making Willemstad an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Cartagena, Colombia, offers docking at Cartagena Port. Travelers explore San Felipe Castle and Old Town’s colorful streets. Excursions include Rosario Islands snorkeling. Local markets sell arepas. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial walls and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes sancocho, a Colombian favorite. Souvenirs, like emerald crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Spanish colonial history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cartagena’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Colombian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic islands, making Cartagena an engaging destination for exploration.

Colón, Panama, offers docking at Colón Port. Travelers explore Gatun Locks and Fort San Lorenzo. Excursions include Emberá village tours. Local markets sell sancocho. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures canal locks and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes arroz con pollo, a Panamanian favorite. Souvenirs, like molas, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kuna history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance jungle walks. Colón’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Panamanian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of canal engineering and indigenous heritage, making Colón an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Colon — see Day 21 above for port info.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, offers docking at Puerto Limon Port. Travelers explore Tortuguero Canals and Veragua Rainforest. Excursions include sloth sanctuary tours. Local markets sell gallo pinto. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures jungle canals and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes casado, a Costa Rican favorite. Souvenirs, like coffee crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bribri history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance rainforest walks. Puerto Limon’s natural charm offers a vibrant Costa Rican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of wildlife and scenic canals, making Puerto Limon an engaging destination.

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras, offers docking at Coxen Hole Port. Travelers explore West Bay Beach and Gumbalimba Park. Excursions include snorkeling at Mesoamerican Reef. Local markets sell baleadas. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures coral reefs and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes sopa de caracol, a Honduran favorite. Souvenirs, like mahogany crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Garifuna history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Coxen Hole’s coastal allure offers a vibrant Honduran stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of beaches and marine adventures, making Coxen Hole an engaging destination.

Belize City, Belize, offers docking at Belize City Port. Travelers explore Altun Ha ruins and Belize Zoo. Excursions include snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Local markets sell fry jacks. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Mayan pyramids and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes rice and beans, a Belizean favorite. Souvenirs, like mahogany crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Mayan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Belize City’s cultural allure offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient ruins and marine adventures, making Belize City an engaging destination.

Progreso (Merida), Mexico, offers docking at Progreso Port with excursions to Merida. Travelers explore Chichen Itza and Merida’s Plaza Grande. Excursions include cenote swimming. Local markets sell cochinita pibil. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Mayan pyramids and Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes sopa de lima, a Yucatecan favorite. Souvenirs, like hammocks, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Mayan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance cenote exploration. Progreso’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient ruins and scenic coasts, making Progreso an engaging destination.

Galveston, Texas, offers docking at Galveston Port. Travelers explore Moody Gardens and Historic Pleasure Pier. Excursions visit Houston’s Space Center. Local markets sell pecan pralines. The peak season, March to May, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Victorian architecture and Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes shrimp gumbo, a Texan favorite. Souvenirs, like cowboy crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Texan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Galveston’s coastal charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic districts and scenic beaches, making Galveston an engaging destination for exploration.

New Orleans, Louisiana, offers docking at New Orleans Port. Travelers explore French Quarter and Garden District. Excursions include swamp tours in Honey Island. Local markets sell beignets. The peak season, February to May, brings mild weather for river tours. Photography captures jazz streets and Mississippi vistas. Dining onboard includes gumbo, a Cajun favorite. Souvenirs, like Mardi Gras crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Creole history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. New Orleans’ cultural charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic districts and lively music, making New Orleans an engaging destination.

Returning to New Orleans — see Day 33 above for port info.

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.

King’s Wharf, Bermuda, offers docking at Royal Naval Dockyard. Travelers explore Fort Scaur and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Excursions include snorkeling at Church Bay. Local markets sell fish chowder. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures pink beaches and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes spiny lobster, a Bermudian favorite. Souvenirs, like cedar crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bermuda Triangle history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. King’s Wharf’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Bermudian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic forts and scenic beaches, making King’s Wharf an engaging destination.

Returning to King's Wharf — see Day 40 above for port info.

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, offers docking at Ponta Delgada Port. Travelers explore Sete Cidades and Furnas hot springs. Excursions include whale-watching tours. Local markets sell cozido das Furnas. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic lakes and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes bacalhau, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Azorean history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance crater hikes. Ponta Delgada’s natural charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of volcanic landscapes and marine adventures, making Ponta Delgada an engaging destination.

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