Americas Jubilee

Miami, located on the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Florida, where outdoor sports are open all seasons and dress is casual, is a melting pot of cultures. Miami and Miami Beach are in effect two distinctly different cities, as Miami Beach is almost exclusively tourist orientated, while Miami is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly Latin American flavour. Don’t miss the South Beach section where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died that is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world. Certainly the beaches have an international flair and attract tourists from around the world. Read more about Miami, USA

Key West is a city on an island of the same name that lies off the coast of Florida USA. One of the biggest attractions on the island is a concrete replica of a buoy at the corner of South and Whitehead Streets, which claims to be the southernmost point in the continental 48 states. Although Key West today has been revitalised for the tourists, the town has retained some of its sense of individualism and isolation, especially away from the main streets. Walking tours are the best way to see the island's intriguing architecture, courtyards and gardens. Read more about Key West, USA

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula in SE Mexico. It has grown steadily over the years since Jacques Cousteau first put the island on the map as a sea turtle sanctuary. While it has great beaches, friendly people and safe streets, with prices comparable to other Mexican tourist destinations, most visitors travel to Cozumel to see what is under the water. However, there are Mayan archaeological ruins of interest at Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza, the first two maybe within a day’s guided tour. Read more about Cozumel, Mexico

With acres of unspoiled coastal land, vast natural resources and rich historic and cultural influences, Costa Maya offers visitors true insight into the essence of Mayan culture and the heritage of the Mexican Caribbean. While the port itself is home to: a modern tourist shopping mall; a central plaza with saltwater pools and swim-up style bars; as well as stores selling a mixture of souvenir items, most visitors enjoy going further afield. Costa Maya has the highest concentration of Mayan archeological sites and the largest existing Mayan population in Mexico. For historians, exploring the Maya ruins that provide glimpses into the past, is a must. Read more about Costa Maya, Mexico

Belize City, the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize, is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. For those who spend some time at this small but somehow sprawling metropolis - rather than leave immediately to visit the northern cays - the city will reveal a distinguished history, and several superb sights. These include the Cayo District's caves and the Maya archaeological sites along the Macal and Belize rivers. Through interaction with the city’s inhabitants, visitors appreciate that the city’s astonishing energy and contrasting easy-going Caribbean atmosphere is principally due to the wonderful variety of ethnic groups. Read more about Belize City, Belize

Harvest Caye, on an island 800m off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean, is Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest island development. Ships berth directly at the 75 acre resort. Features include: bars, 3 ziplines running from the ‘lighthouse’ over a giant pool, waterfall, private beachfront cabanas (pay), a nature centre, food outlets, and a variety of ship-sponsored shore excursions. Belizeans’ products, native performances, and employment feature strongly to support the local community. Read more about Harvest Caye, Belize

Santo Tomas de Castilla lies at Amatique Bay off the Gulf of Honduras, making it one of Guatemala’s few coastal towns. The city makes a convenient base for exploring Guatemala's Caribbean coast, and as the country's entire eastern coastline only spans 118 km, plenty of beach destinations are within easy access of the port. Visitors wishing to relax, take the resort's shuttle from the cruise-ship terminal to use the beach at Amatique Bay Resort and Marina as a day visitor. However, possibly the major reason for visiting Guatemala is to visit Mayan ruins. Read more about Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala

Roatan (aka Ruatan, Rattan) is the largest of the Bay Islands, which are a part of Honduras, lying just over 48 km from the northern coast of the Honduran mainland. It is known around the world for its scuba diving. The reef surrounding the island attracts beautiful tropical fish and snorkellers alike. Dive attractions include sea walls and shipwrecks. Read more about Roatan, Honduras

Puerto Limon - aka Limon - is the capital of Limón Province in Costa Rica. It is the country's main Caribbean port, and most of its citizens are of African descent. Originally from Jamaica, these workers were brought to the area in the late 19th century to build the railroad line from San José to Limón. It has some fascinating architecture and colourful open air market places. Read more about Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Fuerte Amador (Fort Amador, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, is part of an artificial peninsula jutting out into the Pacific from Balboa, which connects four small islands to the mainland. On the west side of Fuerte Amador is the Pacific entrance to the Canal, and on the east side is Panama Bay facing Panama City. The surrounding ocean is always filled with vessels patiently awaiting their turn to transverse the Canal, while on the skyline a few kilometres to the north are the skyscrapers of Panama City. The peninsula itself is home to two marinas and road causeway only. Read more about Fuerte Amador, Panama

Fuerte Amador (Fort Amador, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, is part of an artificial peninsula jutting out into the Pacific from Balboa, which connects four small islands to the mainland. On the west side of Fuerte Amador is the Pacific entrance to the Canal, and on the east side is Panama Bay facing Panama City. The surrounding ocean is always filled with vessels patiently awaiting their turn to transverse the Canal, while on the skyline a few kilometres to the north are the skyscrapers of Panama City. The peninsula itself is home to two marinas and road causeway only. Read more about Fuerte Amador, Panama

Manta is a major commercial and holiday resort centre and the second major port of Ecuador. It is possibly best known for the Playa (beach) Murciélago area of the Malecón, where not only is the seafood excellent, but also on offer is great music, beach aerobics, parties, and general night life ambience. Gathering momentum among tourists is the fact that this is the home of seeds of particular palms that are almost indistinguishable from ivory after they have been dried. Buttons, jewellery, and small sculptures made from these seeds are quickly gaining in popularity. Read more about Manta, Ecuador

Guayaquil is located on the west bank of the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Guayaquil. Founded in the 1530s, it is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, as well as the nation's main port. It is described by many as having a ‘Caribbean soul’. One of the major highlights is to visit the transformed neighbourhood of Cerro Santa Ana, and climb its 465-steps - flanked by colourful houses, eateries, gift shops and galleries - to take in the sweeping views from the top of Santa Ana Hill, the site of the city's birthplace. Read more about Guayaquil, Ecuador

Salaverry, known as "The City of Eternal Spring" because of its very sunny and pleasant year-round weather, is the port for Trujillo as well as the second largest city in Peru. It has numerous interesting archaeological sites of the Moche and Chimu civilizations, and has managed to retain much of its colonial flavour, as reflected in its historical city centre. Here are found not only the cathedral and city hall, but also numerous colonial mansions that have been preserved and are open to visitors. The fronts of many of these buildings have distinctive wrought-iron grillwork and are painted in pastel colours. Read more about Salaverry (Trujillo), Peru

Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, visit the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. The numerous churches are also popular as they date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Read more about Lima (Callao), Peru

Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, visit the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. The numerous churches are also popular as they date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Read more about Lima (Callao), Peru

Pisco lies on the Pacific coast of Peru, 200 km south of the capital Lima. The small city is a gateway to the ruins of Machu Picchu, 500 km due east high in the Andes. Pisco is served by the port of San Martin which is 35 km out of town on the Paracas Peninsula. Named after the liberator General San Martin, this area is significant in Peruvian history as the birthplace of Peru's struggle for independence. Read more about Pisco (San Martin), Peru

Coquimbo is a port city and capital of the Elqui Province, located on the Pan-American Highway, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. Tourism has recently started to develop, particularly as an access point for popular beach towns to the south, such as the fisherman’s cove of Guanaqueros, and Tongoy, with its famous 5km beach of white sand. Then there is La Serena, the capital of the region, with multiple attractions from architecture to beaches and shopping. Coquiimbo itself is a source of legends of hidden treasures, due to the fact that in the past centuries it was assaulted by pirates. Read more about Coquimbo, Chile

San Antonio, Chile, is a Pacific port 63 km south of the port of Valparaiso. San Antonio is the largest freight handling port on the western coast of South America. The city lies on hills and coastal dunes north of the mouth of the Maipo River. It was seriously affected by earthquakes most recently in 1985 and 2010. Read more about San Antonio, Chile

Puerto Montt is a fast growing city in the south of Chile, just north of Chiloe Island. At the southern end of the Pan American highway in Chile, Puerto Montt is not only the end of the road, but the beginning of the fabled land of fjords, canals, islands, and the snow-capped mountains of the Andes. Fertile agricultural fields and green forested hills also add to the enchantment of Southern Chile. It is an all-season destination. Read more about Puerto Montt, Chile

Chacabuco - aka Puerto Chacabuco - is a Chilean town located at the head of Aisén Fjord in Aisén commune. Ships anchor in the bay of Chacabuco and passengers are tendered to shore. This is a small isolated settlement with no clearly defined town centre, consisting of one main road, a fish processing facility, and a pier. It is the main port of the region and port of call for ships sailing to the Laguna San Rafael National Park. Read more about Chacabuco, Chile

Laguna San Rafael, on the southern Pacific coast of Chile, is a small bay at the far south end of the Moraleda Channel. It is connected to the sea through the Témpano Channel. Its main attraction is the San Rafael Glacier, a wall of ancient ice over 40km long, coming down the 4,000m high Mount San Valentín, which is part of the Northern Patagonian Icefield. This is the most distant glacier from the Poles that gets to the sea. Read more about Laguna San Rafael, Chile

Punta Arenas, overlooking the Strait of Magellan in southern Patagonia, Chile, bustles with windswept trekkers en route to glacier-filled Torres del Paine National Park or an Antarctic cruise. Before leaving, be sure to take note of the mansion-lined main square, Plaza Muñoz Gamero where local vendors sell homemade crafts, the City Cemetery with its elaborate tombs, the Sara Braun Palace, and Braun Menendez Residence that presents great insight of the city's wealthy pioneer past. The city is also home to the former British Navy base and early Spanish colony of Puerto Hambre, and a popular ski centre that overlooks the Strait of Magellan. Read more about Punta Arenas, Chile

Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, is located on the Beagle Channel, where soaring mountains, ice-blue glaciers, and an historic lighthouse create an ideal backdrop. The capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, it was first settled by British missionaries. During the first half of the 20th C the major building of the city was a prison, built by the Argentinian government for repeat offenders and serious criminals, as the subpolar oceanic climate made escape difficult. Today the Old Prison is a National Historical Monument housing the Museo Maritimo, where visitors can explore the history of the Argentine Navy. Read more about Ushuaia, Argentina

Punta del Este, known as the St.Tropez of Uruguay, is an upscale vacation spot on the southern-most tip of the country, just an hour and a half by car from Montevideo. Today this area is known worldwide as a very scenic resort area with great shopping, a temperate climate, and kilometres of beautiful beaches. These include Mansa - or gentle beach - that faces the bay, and Playa Brava, a beach that faces the Atlantic and is home to the sculpted Dedos fingers - better known as ‘the Hand in the Sand’ - a well known city landmark. Punta del Este also offers superb food at luxury hotels and restaurants. Read more about Punta del Este, Uruguay

Montevideo is the largest city, capital, and chief port of Uruguay. Situated on the River Plate (Silver River), it is also home to almost half of the nation's population, and subsequently is a modern metropolis, though with a fascinating historical old town dating back to colonial times. Described as a vibrant, eclectic place with a rich cultural life, it is the hub of commerce. The varied architecture reflects its history that ranges from colonial to Art Deco, all influenced by either Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French or British immigrants. Read more about Montevideo, Uruguay

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, located on the eastern shore of the Rio de la Plata, on the SE coast of South America. The birthplace of the tango, the city is as bustling with energy as the dance itself. Stroll neighbourhoods with romantic restaurants, past its architecture and parks. The 20-lane main boulevard is the longest in the world, fashioned after the Champs-Élysées. Read more about Buenos Aires, Argentina