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| Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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| Seven miles of perfect beaches welcome the seagoing traveler to Ft. Lauderdale. Renowned for sun and water sports, the city also offers fine shopping along the Riverwalk and a perfect jumping-off point for a tour of the Everglades.
Riverwalk Shopping - Take a stroll on Downtown Ft. Lauderdale's Riverwalk. It's the center for shopping, dining, arts festivals of all kinds, and a lively nightlife.
Sandy Beaches - Just about any water sport imaginable is available along Ft. Lauderdale's seven miles of white sandy beaches. From waterskiing and boating to fishing and diving, it's a true water sports paradise.
Bonnet House - A Fort Lauderdale historic residence, the Bonnet House is an impressive estate filled with native southern Floridian plants and imported tropical varietals, including an extensive orchid collection..
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| Half Moon Cay, Bahamas |
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| If you've ever dreamed of making the first footprints on the beach of a truly secluded tropical island, you'll have your chance on Half Moon Cay. Holland America Line's pristine private island offers everything you need for a day of play in paradise: a two-mile crescent of perfect beach; an interior lagoon; private beachside cabanas with butler service, showers and misters; and all manner of watersports and activities, including a children's aqua park and a buoyed personal watercraft course.
Seventeen miles from the nearest neighbor, about 100 miles south of Nassau, in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the cruise lines' private islands. Nine miles of beach stretch along the vibrant blue waters in a crescent shape. Coconut palms dot the landscape. This is truly a nature preserve as Holland America takes great strides to maintain the ecosystem of this pristine island. In fact, only 45 acres of the 2,500 acre island have been developed. All parts of the island are accessible by a tram and hard-surfaced walkways connect each area.
Half Moon Cay is situated in a protective bay making conditions ideal for swimming in the calm waters. Holland America has one of the most comprehensive water sports programs of the private islands. You can rent a Hobie Catamaran, Sunfish Sailboat, View Boards, Windsurfer Sailboards, kayaks, aqua cycles and float mats. There is even a separate area designated for these activities. There are volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoes and shuffleboard, a fitness trail with exercise stations and nature trails for hiking. On Half Moon Cay you can snorkel, SCUBA dive, jet-ski or even do some bone fishing. Of course, you can always just kick back and relax or have a beachside massage.
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| Oranjestad, Aruba |
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| Located on the picturesque southern coast, Oranjestad is the historic Dutch capital of Aruba, where the traditional, tall, multicolored houses combine carved wooden doors and typical Dutch tiles with open-air patios. The charm of the city complements the beauty of this popular Caribbean island where the Dutch and indigenous cultures have merged to give Aruba its unique atmosphere. Today's visitors can enjoy this culture along with beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling and exciting nightlife.
The water off Aruba is teeming with marine life. You can see it all up close by taking a submarine 150 feet below the sea. You'll pass scuba divers, coral reefs and shipwrecks on your journey.
- Explore Aruba caravan-style in a Jeep as you head toward the northern part of the island and the California Lighthouse. Travel to the "cunucu" (countryside) with several stops at other scenic sights. Go to a private-island paradise, De Palm Island, for a buffet barbecue lunch and snorkeling in pristine waters full of brilliant coral and colorful marine life.
- Drive through the schooner harbor of Oranjestad, the capital city of Aruba. Discover outdoor markets displaying tropical fruits, and local arts and crafts, and observe Dutch-colonial buildings. At Cashero and Boca Mahos, view the famous Watapana (divi-divi) trees shaped by the trade winds, and St. Anna's Church in the village of Noord.
- Get ready to shake your maracas and kick up your heels on a wacky, fun-filled Kukoo Kunuku barhop and dinner adventure.
Play a round of golf on the Tierra del Sol Golf Course surrounded by panoramic ocean views and spectacular desert scenery. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., every hole has four sets of tees and approach angles to provide a wide variety of challenges for all skill levels.
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| Willemstad (Curacao), Antilles |
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| Curacao is the largest of the six islands that comprise the Netherlands Antilles. It gained autonomy from the Netherlands in 1954, but the Dutch influence is still very visible in Willemstad's architecture and culture. With the growth of the oil industry in Curacao in the early 20th century, workers and their families came to the island from more than 50 countries, providing a varied and vibrant population. Everyone should experience the sights, sounds and energy of this unique destination.
Explore Hato Caves and their mystical underground lake. After crossing the lake, you'll enter two large caverns with ancient Indian pteroglyphs. This surreal underground world is an amazing, memorable experience.
- Learn about the local flora and fauna while biking the unspoiled 4,500-acre Christoffel National Park.
- Enjoy a guided trolley-train tour of this quaint city with its distinctive Dutch architecture.
Set out on a safari in a two-person canoe. Explore the small caves, beautiful rugged coastline and spectacular cliffs of Curacao .
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