Norwegian Gem: 11-Night Southern Caribbean

Tampa cruise port is a Gulf Coast embarkation point for Western Caribbean cruises, sitting on Florida's west side about 85 miles west of Orlando. Port Tampa Bay is the state's largest port by tonnage, but its cruise operation is modest compared to PortMiami or Port Everglades.

Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Berry Islands chain of the Bahamas, about 120 miles northwest of Nassau. The island has been NCL's exclusive beach destination since 1977, making it one of the oldest private cruise islands in the Caribbean.

Aruba's capital sits just 15 miles off the Venezuelan coast, and it's one of the southern Caribbean's most popular cruise stops for good reason. Five berths across three air-conditioned terminals handle up to five ships at once, with water depths of 32 to 36 feet.

You've probably seen photos of Willemstad even if you don't realize it: that row of pastel-colored Dutch colonial buildings along the Handelskade is one of the most photographed waterfronts in the Caribbean. It's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

Falmouth's historic port was purpose-built for mega-ships and sits in a town known for its well-preserved Georgian colonial architecture. Popular excursions include Dunn's River Falls, bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River, and Montego Bay beaches.

Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the western Caribbean known for Seven Mile Beach, exceptional diving, and its role as a major offshore financial center. George Town serves as the cruise port, but there's no pier large enough for cruise ships.