Americana Coast Cruise: Key
West, Tampa & New
Orleans

Miami, Florida

The party and cruise capital of the word, Miami is a bright,
brash, playground city that 15.5 million tourists flock to every
year. The Roaring Twenties saw this town bloom into a seaside
capital, blessed with a legacy of Art Deco architecture, diverse
cultures, and natural wonders enough to satisfy any
holiday-goer.

Being the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, Miami has
a large Cuban presence, evident in the vibrant neighbourhood of
. Art lovers can meander around the art districts like
Wynwood and the Coconut Grove, while others can lounge on the miles
of sandy beaches. For families there are kid-friendly attractions
like the
and Metrozoo. The nightlife is sophisticated and
varied. The city also gives easy access to Florida's popular Gold
Coast resorts and attractions, as well as the natural wonder of the

.

It is no wonder Miami is America's favourite holiday destination
and the hub of a vibrant cruise ship industry, its port constantly
jammed with sleek passenger liners. North of the city, the miles of
beautiful beaches on the Gold Coast are hemmed in by southeast
Florida's major tourist towns: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano
Beach, and Palm Beach.

Key West, Florida

If you want to get away from it all and enjoy some sunny weather, Key West is the perfect place for you. This small island off the coast of Florida is known for its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful beaches. There’s plenty to do in Key West, from exploring the historic district to snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters. You can also just relax on the beach and enjoy the incredible sunsets. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in Key West.

Tampa, Florida

Tampa, on the Florida peninsula's west coast, is a thriving city
where historic neighbourhoods co-exist with sleek skyscrapers, and
where shrimp boats are docked next to cruise liners in the busy
port. Vicente Martinez Ybor, a Cuban immigrant, put Tampa on the
map when he introduced the cigar industry in the 1880s. This
developed Ybor City, now fully restored to its Latin Quarter
elegance.

Most visitors to the Tampa area stay in the resorts of St
Petersburg and Clearwater, across Tampa Bay from the city. However,
every visitor has ample reason to pay at least one visit to Tampa
itself for the exciting attractions and museums on offer. Tampa is
a firm family favorite due to the city's most popular attraction,
the Busch Gardens entertainment park. Tampa is also within easy
reach of Orlando, site of the world-famous Walt Disney World and
numerous other theme parks. Tourists staying in Tampa can look
forward to some thrilling excursions, and enjoy both urban
attractions and the sun, sand, and sea of the resorts just outside
the city.

Mobile, Alabama

This bustling port city in Alabama has a history going back to
1702, when the French established it as a shipping centre. Mobile
has a colourful history with a mixture of Spanish, French, British,
Creole and African influences, and much of that is reflected in its
architecture and culture. Many would be surprised to know that
Mobile is the actual birthplace of Mardi Gras, and it still has its
own unique party spirit, which makes any holiday in Mobile a lot of
fun.

Historic buildings in Mobile are numerous, and include examples
of Gothic revival, Greek revival, Beaux-Arts, Spanish Colonial
revival, Victorian, Italianate, and Creole. The city is full of
stately antebellum manors and grand churches that architecture
enthusiasts will enjoy. A variety of museums showcase the city's
history in other ways: Mobile has museums dedicated to World War
II, Mardi Gras, the Mobile police and fire departments, and the
region's ecosystem, among other things. The National
African-American Archives and Museum is also located here.

Mobile is a wonderfully verdant city, with diverse plant life
that benefits from its mild subtropical climate. It has a number of
pretty parks and gardens that prevent it from feeling too urban;
some of the most popular are the Bellingrath Gardens, and Langan
Park, which also houses the Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile Botanical
Gardens, a theatre, and a golf course.

Mobile is also a vibrant city with a buzzing nightlife. Known
for its fantastic seafood and barbecue, Mobile has a variety of
great restaurants serving either, or sometimes both. There are many
popular bars and nightclubs, and the city boasts its own opera and
symphony orchestra. Every October, the Ten Sixty Five festival
hosts a number of exciting musical acts in downtown Mobile, this
laid-back street party is free of charge and offers an abundance of
entertainment and moreish food and drink options, catered by local
establishments.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a quirky city with a unique character
quite incomparable to any other city in the US or the world.
Situated on a swamp, surrounded by the sea, Lake Pontchartrain and
the Mississippi River, the city chose to swim rather than sink by
constructing levees, pumps and canals to protect the city. But this
is an ongoing battle.

Despite hit by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, a
tragedy which left 75% of the city flooded, the proud residents of
New Orleans rebuilt their one-of-a-kind home with determination.
And for tourists, it's once again the vibrant destination it was
before the disaster.

The jazz, the extravagant celebrations and the Big
Easy lifestyle once again make New Orleans one of the party
capitals of the US. Nightlife options are burgeoning and strains of
local jazz and blues rhythms are once again echoing through the
streets of the atmospheric French Quarter.

Legendary Bourbon Street continues to host carnivals
and parades, including the annual Mardi Gras, which has a
reputation for being the most scandalous and sensational event on
the world's festival calendar.

Besides all the partying, New Orleans has still has
serious opportunities for sightseeing. The city is full of
picturesque buildings, lush parks, riverboats, vintage streetcars
and museums displaying everything from voodoo culture to modern
technology.

Cozumel

Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen, and close to the site of the ancient Mayan city of Tulum. The island's main town is San Miguel de Cozumel. The island is covered with mangrove forest and has a wide variety of fauna, including many species of birds, lizards, and fish.

Cozumel is a popular tourist destination, especially for scuba diving and snorkeling. The clear waters around the island attract many visitors from all over the world. There are many dive sites around the island, with something to suit all levels of experience. The most popular dive sites are the Palancar Caves, the Columbia Reef, and the Paradise Reef.

The island is also a popular destination for cruise ships. Cruise ship passengers often take excursions to the island, to visit the town of San Miguel, or to go on one of the many organized tours.

The island has a rich history. It was inhabited by the Maya people for centuries, and there are many Maya ruins on the island. The most famous Maya ruin on the island is the Temple of the Sun, which is located in the town of San Miguel.

Cozumel was also the site of a major battle in the Mexican-American War, known as the Battle of Cozumel. This was a brief but bloody battle, which resulted in the death of over 200 American soldiers.

The island has a tropical climate, with warm weather all year round. The best time to visit is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and most pleasant.

Miami, Florida

The party and cruise capital of the word, Miami is a bright,
brash, playground city that 15.5 million tourists flock to every
year. The Roaring Twenties saw this town bloom into a seaside
capital, blessed with a legacy of Art Deco architecture, diverse
cultures, and natural wonders enough to satisfy any
holiday-goer.

Being the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, Miami has
a large Cuban presence, evident in the vibrant neighbourhood of
. Art lovers can meander around the art districts like
Wynwood and the Coconut Grove, while others can lounge on the miles
of sandy beaches. For families there are kid-friendly attractions
like the
and Metrozoo. The nightlife is sophisticated and
varied. The city also gives easy access to Florida's popular Gold
Coast resorts and attractions, as well as the natural wonder of the

.

It is no wonder Miami is America's favourite holiday destination
and the hub of a vibrant cruise ship industry, its port constantly
jammed with sleek passenger liners. North of the city, the miles of
beautiful beaches on the Gold Coast are hemmed in by southeast
Florida's major tourist towns: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano
Beach, and Palm Beach.