Southern Caribbean: Aruba, Curacao & Turks and Caicos 9 Nights • Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Celebrity Ascent

In the 1800s, William Lauderdale built a fort. Today, 16 million visitors come each year for miles of broad white sandy beaches, dozens of lush green golf courses, and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Stroll the famous beachfront promenade, just 15 minutes from the port, and plunge into the warm Atlantic.

Head downtown to Las Olas Boulevard, paralleling New River, to sip lattes in outdoor cafés, shop chic boutiques, and catch concerts at the performing arts center. Stop at Stranahan House, the city's oldest structure, built in 1901 as a trading post and preserved as a museum, or explore a whole village of historic buildings at History Fort Lauderdale. Join a Segway tour along the river or a waterborne cruise of Millionaire's Row.

During your cruise to Fort Lauderdale, head out to the Everglades and enjoy Flamingo Gardens, home to pink flamingos, snarling alligators, black bears, and Florida panthers—plus exotic trees, butterfly gardens, and native flowers.

You'll find great shopping on Fort Lauderdale cruises. Look for high fashion at Galleria Fort Lauderdale, north of the port and blocks from the ocean. Head west to Sawgrass Mills for 350 designer outlets, specialty shops, and eateries. Spend a relaxing day in downtown Hollywood, south of the port, for quaint shops, sidewalk cafés, and events in the park.

Discover Floribbean cuisine, a fusion of old Florida favorites with new Caribbean influences. Local seafood includes lobster, grouper, mahi-mahi, pompano, snapper, tuna, and stone crabs.

Florida dominates production of citrus fruits. Before you cruise from Fort Lauderdale, take advantage of anything orange—juices, sauces, marinades, marmalades, dressings, soups, and cakes. Try authentic key lime pie, which is sweet, tart, creamy, and yellow—not green—in a Graham cracker crust.

Puerto Plata was inhabited by the Taino people for centuries before Christopher Columbus arrived and founded the city in the early 1500s. By the 20th century, Puerto Plata had emerged as the Dominican Republic’s main tourism hub. You can paddle through a manatee reserve or zipline over treetops. Go for a swim at the awe-inspiring 27 Waterfalls complex. Hike through the lush, protected jungle of El Choco National Park, enjoying the park’s two lagoons. Swim with dolphins at World Ocean, the largest manmade dolphin habitat in the world, or grab a kayak and head out on the water at Manatee Reserve. Nature, adventure, history – Puerto Plata has it all.

There's a place for those who want to slow the pace of life. That place is Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos. That's not to say that shore excursions on Grand Turk don't run the gamut from horseback riding to stingray swims to catamaran tours—and one of the biggest draws here is diving, with the islands lying along the third largest barrier reef in the world. But traffic is sparse, and with a population of less than 4,000, everybody really does know everybody else's name. There are no fast food restaurants or chain hotels. You may even see a horse or donkey, once a means of transportation during the days of Grand Turk's salting industry, roaming along Governor's Beach or through the narrow alleys in historic Cockburn Town.

The capital of Aruba is made for walking. Browse the candy-colored townhouses, architectural details, and open-air patios that define this charming Dutch community. Gentle trade winds tame the Caribbean sun, shoo the infrequent rain, and maintain the perfect conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding. When it’s beach time, dig your toes into the soft white sand and soak your skin in the warm Caribbean water. After lounging awhile, find spas, restaurants, and bars just steps away. Divers and snorkelers flock to cruise to Aruba for its vibrant coral reefs, neon tropical fish, and eerie old shipwrecks. With just a mask and snorkel, you can watch the fish dart in and out of Antilla, a major wreck. Board a catamaran for a peaceful day of sailing and snorkeling, recharging with a barbecue lunch at Pelican Pier on Palm Beach. Or, venture to De Palm Island for water sliding and banana boat riding. When it’s time to shop, browse Aruba’s boutiques and find the leading designers at Renaissance Mall. Uncover local crafts in the marketplace nearby. Both are close to the port. Aruba serves French fare with a Caribbean twist. Find everything from haute cuisine to casual food. Maybe even discover an ostrich burger on the menu. Of course, the fish doesn’t get any fresher.

Experience a traditional Dutch cityscape painted in distinctly Caribbean colors. You'll want to stroll the magnificent waterfront, admire the colonial buildings, and explore the backstreet cafés, shops, museums, and galleries of Willemstad.


Visit 17th-century Fort Amsterdam in the historic area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Netherlands established a settlement here in 1634. Today it reflects Spanish and Portuguese styles, as well as Dutch. But on cruises to Curaçao, the sun warms your skin to remind you it's the Caribbean.

Swim with charming, clever dolphins—an unforgettable experience—or go below the surface on a reef dive. View otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites inside Hato Caves and take a trolley tour to learn about Willemstad’s landmarks.

After a day of discovery, sit back, relax, and watch the sun set over a glass of traditional blue curaçao. Landhuis Chobolobo, a 19th-century historic mansion you can tour, is home to the famous liqueur.

Curaçao cuisine incorporates Indonesian, as well as Dutch traditions. Try the local waffles, fresh-cut fries drizzled in toppings, and raw herring served with pickles. Favorites include stewed goat, meat wrapped in banana leaves, and others.

In the Punda shopping district, explore Willemstad’s vibrant open-air markets. You'll find traditional blue Delft figurines and wheels of cheese. Otrobanda offers high-end designer options. Browse the Floating Market, the New Market, and the Old Market, too.

In the 1800s, William Lauderdale built a fort. Today, 16 million visitors come each year for miles of broad white sandy beaches, dozens of lush green golf courses, and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Stroll the famous beachfront promenade, just 15 minutes from the port, and plunge into the warm Atlantic.

Head downtown to Las Olas Boulevard, paralleling New River, to sip lattes in outdoor cafés, shop chic boutiques, and catch concerts at the performing arts center. Stop at Stranahan House, the city's oldest structure, built in 1901 as a trading post and preserved as a museum, or explore a whole village of historic buildings at History Fort Lauderdale. Join a Segway tour along the river or a waterborne cruise of Millionaire's Row.

During your cruise to Fort Lauderdale, head out to the Everglades and enjoy Flamingo Gardens, home to pink flamingos, snarling alligators, black bears, and Florida panthers—plus exotic trees, butterfly gardens, and native flowers.

You'll find great shopping on Fort Lauderdale cruises. Look for high fashion at Galleria Fort Lauderdale, north of the port and blocks from the ocean. Head west to Sawgrass Mills for 350 designer outlets, specialty shops, and eateries. Spend a relaxing day in downtown Hollywood, south of the port, for quaint shops, sidewalk cafés, and events in the park.

Discover Floribbean cuisine, a fusion of old Florida favorites with new Caribbean influences. Local seafood includes lobster, grouper, mahi-mahi, pompano, snapper, tuna, and stone crabs.

Florida dominates production of citrus fruits. Before you cruise from Fort Lauderdale, take advantage of anything orange—juices, sauces, marinades, marmalades, dressings, soups, and cakes. Try authentic key lime pie, which is sweet, tart, creamy, and yellow—not green—in a Graham cracker crust.