A Journey from Barcelona to Miami Cruise on Explora II from Barcelona

Barcelona

The port of Barcelona was born about the same time as the city was. It is one of themost important ports in the Mediterranean, cruise ships leave the city to call on some of themost desirable cities in the Western Mediterranean. The port has modern facilities and allthe services needed to accommodate the many passengers who have Barcelona as anembarkation and a disembarkation port. Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan andmulticultural capitals of Europe. Among many attractions that include the Sagrada Familia,Montjuic, Gaudi's Güell Park and the famous Ramblas. It’s a hub of activity and the city isalways bustling.

Funchal (Madeira)

The city´s name comes from the abundance of fennel (funcho) found on the island. It was an important shipping center during the 15th-17th centuries. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. It is a modern, cosmopolitan, rejuvenated city, well known for its many top class restaurants, stunning new 4 & 5 star hotels and warm climate all year round. The city itself is nestled in a great natural amphitheatre, facing the blue Atlantic with a backdrop of dramatic mountains. It is located in the stunning south of Madeira, on it’s sunniest coast amidst banana plantations and wonderful gardens. Funchal has also for many years been one of the Atlantic Cruise-ship’s main ports of call, with the Liner harbour right in the middle of the town. Once ashore, the cafés, restaurants and history that mark this famed capital are just a stroll away. Tourists in Funchal can also enjoy activities such as diving in the crystal-clear waters, surfing the waves, taking day excursions along the coast and through the eucalyptus smelling mountain woods.

Bridgetown (Barbados)

Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. The Bridgetown port, found along Carlisle Bay lies on the southwestern coast of the island. Bridgetown is a major West Indies tourist destination, and the city acts as an important financial, informatics, convention centre, and cruise ship port of call in the Caribbean region. Bridgetown´s centre was originally composed of a swamp, which was quickly drained and filled-in to make way for the city´s early development. At the heart of Bridgetown is the Careenage and Constitution River.This body of water provides the city with direct access from medium sized yachts or small craft boats. Although moderately shallow, the Careenage slices Bridgetown into two parts. During the rainy season the Constitution River flows into the Careenage area and acts as an outflow for water from the islands interior storm drainage network. Flowing into the Carlisle Bay on the southwest coast of the island, the Careenage can be observed as a marina for boaters entering or exiting the inner basin located directly in front of the Parliament buildings of Barbados. In the centre lies the main street of Bridgetown which is Broad Street which runs directly through the centre of the city. Broad Street passes the Parliament Buildings and serves as the centre of city´s shopping area.

Martinique (Fort de France)

Nowadays, Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique which is located in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean with a background of green mountains... It is picturesque city, with it's french side very pronunced, ideal to go gift shopping, or going for lunch to a terrace of a small cafe. There is also a Central Park, with the gardens full of flowers and fountains, he historic Fort of St. Luis, the Cathedral and the Library. In the island you can find buildings such as the Paul Gaugin Memorial, the Museum of the Empress Josephine, Napoleons wife and the Museum of Art of Shells. The tourists that are hiking fans can climb the Bare Mountain.

Santa Lucia (Castries)

Volcanic island, located at the south east of the Caribbean. Surrounded by hills, its large, safe harbor at the head of a wide bay is a constant hive of activity. Castries is a major port of call for cruise ships, that dock at Pointe Seraphine. The islands population is around 140.000, the mayority are catholic africans. The oficial language is english although they also speak a french dialect (french patois). the capital and principal port is Castries. Its economy is based on agriculture, some industry and a growing tourism, and has good internal communications networks and airports. The island was discovered by the Spanish in 1500 and in 1660 a permanent French colonywas established, its control was contested between French and English until 1814 passed into British hands. The island gained independence within the Commonwealth in 1979.

Antigua (St. John's)

The Lesser Antilles (also known as the Caribbees) are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Caribbean Sea. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America. The Lesser Antilles and the Greater Antilles compose the (or the Caribbean in its narrowest definition), which together with the Lucayan Archipielago comprise the West Indies.The islands of the Lesser Antilles are divided into three groups. The two main groups are the Windward Islands in the south and the Leeward Islands in the north. The third group is the Leeward Antilles in the west. These consist of the Dutch ABC islands just off the coast of Venezuela, plus a group of Venezuelan islands.

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Its hard not to be captivated by the historic treasures of majestic Old San Juan, the charming walled city with its imposing fortresses, colorful colonial architecture and numerous attractions. A short taxi ride from the old city will take you to the world-class boutiques, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Ferragamo, and restaurants of Condado, the inviting beaches and resorts of Ocean Park and Isla Verde and the bohemian neighborhood of Santurce. Event planners and business professionals come for the state-of-the-art convention center in Miramar and the financial district of Hato Rey.

Miami

Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county of Miami-Dade County. Miami is a major center and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, media, entertainment, the arts, and international trade. Miami is nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America", with a Spanish-speaking majority, and the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality. The Port of Miami, known as the "Cruise Capital of the World," has been the number one cruise passenger port in the world. It accommodates some of the world's largest cruise ships and operations, and is the busiest port in both passenger traffic and cruise lines. Going south you will find the Coral Gables, a select and elegant neighborhood with beautiful waterways, fountains and squares. It is recommended to take a guided tour that can pick the Old Town Trolley tours and you will have up to 90 minutes ride departing from Bayside. Miami Beach, between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic are some of the most fascinating areas of the Great Miami. Here prevailing Art Deco buildings, the sophisticated atmosphere, and the best beaches...