Seattle to Miami

Tiny Ketchikan is just three miles long and three blocks wide, but here you can be sure to find Alaska’s busiest waterfront buzzing with boat planes, fishing boats, pleasure craft, and busy fishermen. Local trawlers bring delicacies like king crab, octopus, shark, prawn and rockfish to Ketchikan, known as Alaska’s First City for its location and its figurehead status for outstanding natural beauty.

Beneath an ice field that never melts, on a waterway that never freezes, Juneau is the unusual and disarmingly beautiful capital of Alaska. The Mendenhall Glacier is the not-to-be-missed attraction. Look for orca and humpback whales as we sail into Juneau. There’s plenty to entertain and intrigue in the city. If you’re feeling fit, explore the glaciers by kayak or trek with crampons and an axe.

The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, possesses a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary charisma. It offers a wide variety of exquisite sights that draw visitors from around the world. Notable landmarks include Craigdarroch Castle and the elegant Empress Hotel, which contrast with the shops and restaurants. There’s ample opportunity for whale watching and wildlife viewing, too.

Welcome to the gateway to fame and fortune, with its endless beaches and non-stop excitement. There are wonderful restaurants, exceptional museums, fabulous stores, dazzling nightlife, unlimited recreation and sporting attractions, and a rich multiculturalism that adds international allure.

Whilst growing as a fashionable tourist destination, the Mexican resort of Cabo San Lucas still maintains its sparse and uncrowded atmosphere, and boasts a warm hospitality which matches the sunshine. Nestled on the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, Cabo is famous for its casual atmosphere, exciting nightlife, and stunning beaches and scenery.

The modern port city of Puerto Quetzal is your gateway to the delights of Guatemala. Situated on the Pacific coastline, 67 miles south of Guatemala City, Puerto Quetzal is one of the major ports serving the Central American country. Explore the World Heritage Site of La Antigua Guatemala, head for the highlands to take in Lake Atitlan and uncover a colourful history dating back to Mayan times. On your travels you’ll see a completely different lifestyle in the roadside villages surrounding Puerto Quetzal and encounter breathtaking landscapes, punctuated with verdant mountains, dormant volcanoes, rolling hills and mesmerising coastline.

This recently developed port with its modern shopping plazas is just next door to Panama City, once a vital link along the Golden Main. In 1671, it was destroyed by the Welsh buccaneer Henry Morgan and a new colonial city was built: Casco Antiguo, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit both old and new, and shop for duty-free bargains including the famous molas handwoven by the Cuna Indians of San Blas.

This recently developed port with its modern shopping plazas is just next door to Panama City, once a vital link along the Golden Main. In 1671, it was destroyed by the Welsh buccaneer Henry Morgan and a new colonial city was built: Casco Antiguo, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit both old and new, and shop for duty-free bargains including the famous molas handwoven by the Cuna Indians of San Blas.

Like a tropical Amsterdam, Willemstad is resplendent with little canals and pastel-colored houses. Take the free ferry to the shopping district, or woo lady luck at one of the island's casinos.

Brightly coloured houses, vibrant street life, a distinct buzz in the air – all are part of the experience when you visit the Schooner Market and watch merchants sell exotic fruit and fresh fish direct from tiny boats.

The heart of modern cruising beats in Miami. So, what better place to begin or end your Southern Crossing! Consider spending an extra day at one of the area's famous beach hotels