Atlantic Crossing

The great period of “the Discoveries” accounted for phenomenal wealth brought back from India, Africa and Brazil by the great Portuguese navigators. Gold, jewels, ivory, porcelain and spices helped finance grand new buildings and impressive monuments in Lisbon, the country’s capital city. As you sail up the Tagus River, be on deck to admire Lisbon’s panorama and see some of the great monuments lining the river. Lisbon is one of Europe’s smallest capital cities but considered by many visitors to be one of the most likeable. Spread over a string of seven hills, the city offers a variety of faces, including a refreshing no-frills simplicity reflected in the people as they go unhurriedly through their day enjoying a hearty and delicious cuisine accompanied by the country’s excellent wines.

Of the 300 coral atolls which comprise the British crown colony of Bermuda, only 20 are inhabited. Extremely treacherous coral reefs surround the area, as indicated by the 300 shipwrecks lying offshore. Self-governed in internal affairs since 1968, Bermuda remains under the protective umbrella of Great Britain for defense and external affairs. Hamilton, in particular, is decidedly British in atmosphere and tradition. Dazzling beaches, beds of Bermuda lilies, almost luminescent bougainvillea vines and clusters of oleander provide a most inviting backdrop for the island’s luxury hotels, elegant boutiques and fine restaurants. Daytime activities abound, while exciting entertainment beckons you ashore in the evening. Welcome to Bermuda.

Of the 300 coral atolls which comprise the British crown colony of Bermuda, only 20 are inhabited. Extremely treacherous coral reefs surround the area, as indicated by the 300 shipwrecks lying offshore. Self-governed in internal affairs since 1968, Bermuda remains under the protective umbrella of Great Britain for defense and external affairs. Hamilton, in particular, is decidedly British in atmosphere and tradition. Dazzling beaches, beds of Bermuda lilies, almost luminescent bougainvillea vines and clusters of oleander provide a most inviting backdrop for the island’s luxury hotels, elegant boutiques and fine restaurants. Daytime activities abound, while exciting entertainment beckons you ashore in the evening. Welcome to Bermuda.

Miami is the busiest cruise port in the world, hosting a myriad of ships year-round from all over the globe. Although it is technically not on the Caribbean Sea, no other American city exudes more of the diverse tropical appeal of the Caribbean. The city is home to a large and vibrant immigrant population that blends snowbird refugees from more northern climes with emigres from all Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as sizable groups from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. From the hot-blooded Art Deco haunts of South Beach to the natural wonders of the UNESCO-inscribed Everglades and the laid-back charms of the Keys, South Florida offers a bounty of appealing attractions that make an extended stay in the region nearly mandatory for those either embarking or disembarking here.