Tampa is located on Florida’s west coast and shares an exciting multicultural heritage from German, Italian, Spanish and Cuban settlers. Tampa offers a wealth of natural and cultural attractions, from dozens of incredibly white sand beaches to a historic Latin quarter dating back to the 1800s. Tampa’s port is the largest in Florida and serves as the gateway for major cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

Cozumel, a tropical island located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, is one of the world’s top cruise destinations. With its glittering turquoise waters, bright white beaches and exotic marine life, the idyllic island is popular for snorkeling, diving and swimming with dolphins. Cozumel has a well-established tourist industry. Cruise passengers will have plenty of opportunities for water sports, nature exploration and nightlife. Year-round temperatures in the upper 70s make it the perfect place for a sunny beach vacation.

The Costa Maya is a beautiful, 100-mile-long coastline on the Yucutan Peninsula characterized by white sand beaches and beautiful blue water. Right on the port you can find shopping areas, restaurants and bars, and jet skis for rent, and the nearby city of Mahahual holds a popular, easy to access beach. For those looking for a more private piece of paradise, the more secluded beaches are just a short taxi ride away. One must-see for any visitor of Costa Maya is the Chacchoben Ruins, the remainders of an ancient Mayan city more than a thousand years old. For the best experience, take a guided tour to learn about what life was like for the Mayans – back then and now.

Belize City is the largest city in Belize, located on the eastern coast of Central America. First occupied by the Mayans around 1500 BC, the city boasts a rich history with more than 900 ancient sites to explore. The city also has one of the richest ecosystems in the world and contains an incredible 10 per cent of the world’s known species, making it a popular cruise destination.

The island of Roatan sits above the second-largest coral reef in the world, making it an attractive destination for snorkelers, scuba divers and other ocean enthusiasts eager to get a glimpse of one of nature’s most colorful wonders. Book an excursion to visit the beautiful reef by boat, or simply swim from shore – some of the coral is located just 300 feet from the beach. The white sand beaches and crystal clear water make Roatan perfect for swimming and tanning alike.

Puerto Limon is a bustling, industrial port city that serves as a gateway for many cruise ship passengers to Costa Rica’s natural wonders. The Veragua Rainforest is an easy day trip outside of the city, and visitors can explore it by foot on its hiking trails, by boat on a jungle canoe tour, or from above on a zipline canopy tour. Passengers preferring to stay close to port may prefer the waterfront park Parque Vargas, or learn about local history in the Museo Etnohistoric de Limon.

Located on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, Colon is home to a gleaming, modern, tourist-friendly port. Passengers will find plenty of opportunities to shop and eat near the cruise terminals, or to take a shore excursion to see some more scenic parts of Panama. Before the completion of the Panama Canal, the overland rail route played an important role in transporting goods between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Passengers today can still take a historic train ride on the Isthmian Railway from Colon to Panama City.

Panama City is the thriving, urban metropolis that is the heart and soul of Panama. The largest city in Central America, it is said to rival Miami as being the "Capital City of Latin America." Panama City can be accessed by ship at the nearby cruise ports, Fuerte Amadore and Balboa, or by a boat or train ride from Colon. Situated on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, the city has benefited from a century of wealth generated by the canal.