Cruises from Fort Lauderdale take you to tropical islands throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Take a three-night break to Bimini and CocoCay, or head west on a short cruise to Cozumel. Longer voyages take you to Roatan, Honduras, and Grand Cayman. You could explore St. Thomas and St. Maarten, visit pretty St. Kitts and vibrant Puerto Rico, or head even further south to the ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.

Before you set sail, take time to explore this delightful city. Fort Lauderdale, known as the “Venice of America” due to its intricate network of canals, offers a little of everything: inviting, white-sand beaches, high-end shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, and a backdrop of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic, for kayak trips through shady mangroves. Speed through the Florida Everglades on an airboat, looking out for alligators. Check out the striking NSU Art Museum, where there’s a spectacular collection of contemporary art.