Formerly home to a US military installation, Great Stirrup Cay was purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, and now provides a private beach retreat for guests of Norwegian, Regent and Oceania. You can choose to just kick back and relax, or enjoy activities including kayaking, snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.

King’s Wharf is the port of choice for the larger cruise ships that visit Bermuda, originally built as a base for the British Navy. Attractions in the immediate vicinity include the National Museum of Bermuda and the Arts Centre, and you don’t have to travel far to find one of Bermuda's beautiful pink sand beaches.

A visit to Charleston is like travelling back in time, so perfectly preserved is the town’s 19th century ambience, and you’ll often hear the clip-clop of a horse-drawn carriage ferrying tourists along the cobbled streets.

Port Canaveral is the gateway to Orlando’s many attractions, including beaches, theme parks and the Kennedy Space Centre, where you can meet real astronauts. If you’re lucky you may be in port for a rocket launch, though it’s difficult to plan for as schedules are subject to weather conditions and technical hitches.

Nassau, the lively Bahamian capital, is home to duty free shopping, a burgeoning restaurant scene and elegant Georgian architecture. There are some interesting museums where you can learn about the pirates and slave traders of yesteryear, and the surrounding coastline boasts some truly stunning beaches.

Downtown Miami is a destination in its own right, with a host of world class galleries, but it's still Miami Beach that draws the biggest crowds. The Art Deco district around South Beach is very much back in vogue, with new restaurants, bars and luxury developments sprouting up all over the place.

Formerly home to a US military installation, Great Stirrup Cay was purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, and now provides a private beach retreat for guests of Norwegian, Regent and Oceania. You can choose to just kick back and relax, or enjoy activities including kayaking, snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.

King’s Wharf is the port of choice for the larger cruise ships that visit Bermuda, originally built as a base for the British Navy. Attractions in the immediate vicinity include the National Museum of Bermuda and the Arts Centre, and you don’t have to travel far to find one of Bermuda's beautiful pink sand beaches.

Horta is the capital of the island of Faial, in the centre of the Azores archipelago. The harbour is a popular stop-off point for yachts crossing the Atlantic, and it’s also the base for whale watching trips and excursions to the spectacular Caldeira Cabeço Gordo volcanic crater.

Ponta Delgada is the capital of São Miguel, the largest and most populous island of the Azores. Founded in the 15th century, the city is home to elegant architecture and some excellent restaurants, though the main attraction is the tranquility and natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.