Virgin Gorda

Embarkation day. Boarding begins early afternoon; the ship sails at 5 PM past South Beach and out through Government Cut.

• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (Moderate): A 1916 Italianate villa and formal gardens on Biscayne Bay, an unhurried morning before boarding.
• Art Deco walk, South Beach (Easy): Pastel facades on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, flat and easy at your own pace.
• Wynwood Walls and Little Havana (Moderate): Street-art murals, then cafecito and guava pastries on Calle Ocho.

A full day at sea heading southeast toward the Virgin Islands.

• Spa terrace and a slow morning (Easy): Thermal suites, a massage or a long breakfast on deck. Spa treatments book up early on sea days, so reserve on day one.
• Fitness center, jogging track and pool (Easy): A run on the upper-deck track or a class, then a swim.
• The Culinary Center (Easy): Marina's hands-on cooking school. Classes are small, so book early.

A second sea day, a good time to settle in before six islands in a row.

• Spa terrace and a slow morning (Easy): Thermal suites, a massage or a long breakfast on deck. Spa treatments book up early on sea days, so reserve on day one.
• Fitness center, jogging track and pool (Easy): A run on the upper-deck track or a class, then a swim.
• Artist Loft and enrichment talks (Easy): Painting and craft workshops, plus port talks for the week ahead.

The capital of the US Virgin Islands, with a duty-free harbor town and hillsides overlooking the bay.

• Magens Bay (Easy): A calm, sheltered beach that's ideal for floating and swimming.
• Mountain Top and the 99 Steps (Moderate): Island views from above Charlotte Amalie and a stroll through the historic town.
• Snorkel or kayak at Coki Point or St. John (Demanding): Clear water and reef fish. A short ferry ride gets you to St. John's Virgin Islands National Park.

A small French harbor of red-roofed houses, yachts and boutiques. Ships anchor offshore here.

• Gustavia harbor and boutiques (Moderate): Yachts, French bakeries and a walk up to Fort Karl.
• Shell Beach or Saint-Jean (Easy): Shell Beach is walkable from town; Saint-Jean is a short taxi ride away.
• Hike to Colombier Beach (Demanding): A rocky coastal trail to a secluded bay that's often reached only by boat or on foot.

Antigua's capital, with a busy cruise pier, colorful Heritage Quay and beaches all around the island.

• Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights (Moderate): A UNESCO World Heritage Georgian naval dockyard and a sweeping lookout.
• A beach day at Dickenson Bay or Half Moon Bay (Easy): Soft sand and calm swimming on Antigua's coast.
• Sail, snorkel or kayak the mangroves (Demanding): Antigua is known for its 365 beaches and reef-lined coves.

The capital of French Martinique, with a market, a cathedral and rainforest hills behind the bay.

• Jardin de Balata (Moderate): Tropical botanical gardens with a canopy walkway in the rainforest hills.
• Rum distillery visit (Easy): An AOC rhum agricole estate such as Habitation Clément or Depaz.
• Rainforest hike on the Route de la Trace (Demanding): Lush trails toward the slopes of Mount Pelée.

A small Georgian-era capital at Port Zante, framed by green volcanic slopes.

• St. Kitts Scenic Railway (Easy): A narrow-gauge train ride along the coast and past old sugar estates.
• Brimstone Hill Fortress (Moderate): A UNESCO World Heritage hilltop fortress with views to neighboring islands. Steep ramps and steps.
• Hike the rainforest or Mount Liamuiga (Demanding): Guided rainforest trails. The volcano summit is a strenuous full day.

The Dutch side's capital, with a long beach boardwalk and Front Street shopping steps from the pier.

• Front Street and Great Bay beach (Easy): Shopping and a beach right by the pier.
• Marigot and the French side (Easy): French cafés and a market across the island in Saint-Martin.
• America's Cup-style sailing regatta (Demanding): Crew a racing yacht for the afternoon. Hands-on: grinding winches and moving around a tilting deck.

The largest of the British Virgin Islands, with steep green hills, sheltered bays and ferries to the outer islands.

• Cane Garden Bay (Easy): A classic BVI beach with beach bars and calm water.
• The Baths, Virgin Gorda (Demanding): Giant granite boulders and tide pools, reached by ferry or boat. Expect ladders, ropes and some scrambling inside.
• Sage Mountain National Park hike (Demanding): The highest point in the BVI, with forest trails and wide views.

A sea day heading back toward Florida.

• Spa terrace and a slow morning (Easy): Thermal suites, a massage or a long breakfast on deck. Spa treatments book up early on sea days, so reserve on day one.
• Fitness center, jogging track and pool (Easy): A run on the upper-deck track or a class, then a swim.
• Specialty dining (Easy): Toscana, Polo Grill, Jacques and Red Ginger are included. Reservations recommended.

The last full day aboard.

• Spa terrace and a slow morning (Easy): Thermal suites, a massage or a long breakfast on deck. Spa treatments book up early on sea days, so reserve on day one.
• Fitness center, jogging track and pool (Easy): A run on the upper-deck track or a class, then a swim.
• Afternoon tea and the library (Easy): A quiet last sea day before Miami.

Disembarkation morning. Leave time for customs before flights.

• Late flight? Vizcaya or the Pérez Art Museum (Moderate): Leave enough time to get to the airport.
• Everglades airboat or Shark Valley bike trail (Moderate): Real Florida wilderness, about an hour from the port.

Embarkation from 1:00 PM. Vista sails at 4:00 PM past South Beach.

• Art Deco walk, South Beach (Easy): Pastel facades on Ocean Drive, flat and easy.
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (Moderate): A 1916 villa and gardens on Biscayne Bay.

A sea day heading southeast.

• Aquamar Spa terrace (Easy): Thermal suites and a massage. Book spa slots early for sea days.
• Fitness center and pool (Easy): A class or a swim, then lunch on deck.
• The Culinary Center (Easy): Vista's hands-on cooking school. Classes are small, so book early.

A second sea day, Christmas Eve's eve.

• Aquamar Spa terrace (Easy): Thermal suites and a massage. Book spa slots early for sea days.
• Fitness center and pool (Easy): A class or a swim, then lunch on deck.
• Specialty dining (Easy): Toscana, Polo Grill, Ember and others are included. Reserve ahead.

Christmas Eve in the BVI: green hills, white beaches and sailing water.

• Cane Garden Bay (Easy): A classic curved beach with calm water.
• Virgin Gorda's The Baths (Demanding): Ferry to giant granite boulders and tide pools. Scrambling and ladders.
• Sage Mountain hike (Demanding): Forest trails to the BVI's highest point.

Christmas Day in the US Virgin Islands. Some shops and attractions may keep holiday hours.

• Magens Bay (Easy): A calm, sheltered beach for floating and swimming.
• Mountain Top view (Easy): Island views above the harbor by taxi.
• Snorkel at Coki Point (Moderate): Reef fish right off the beach. Water entry.

A sea day heading back toward the Bahamas.

• Aquamar Spa terrace (Easy): Thermal suites and a massage. Book spa slots early for sea days.
• Fitness center and pool (Easy): A class or a swim, then lunch on deck.
• Afternoon tea (Easy): Tea, pastries and a string quartet.

An afternoon in the Bahamian capital.

• Downtown and the Queen's Staircase (Moderate): Colonial streets and a 66-step limestone staircase.
• Junkanoo Beach (Easy): Walkable from the port for a swim.
• Snorkel or swim at Rose Island (Moderate): Boat trip to clear water and reefs.

Disembarkation at 8:00 AM.

• Late flight? Pérez Art Museum (Easy): Modern art on Biscayne Bay.