12-Day Caribbean Round-Trip New York: Dominican Republic & St. Thomas

Puerto Plata (or officially known as San Felipe de Puerto Plata) is the ninth largest city in the Dominican Republic and the capital of the province of Puerto Plata. For spectacular city views, take a ride up the Pico Isabel de Torres mountain which stands over 2,600 feet high. History buff? Visit Fortaleza San Felipe, which was built in the 16th century and served as a prison under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. Or head to the Amber Museum, a museum filled with a unique collection of valuable Dominican amber which is semiprecious tree sap that has hardened for millions of years capturing many fossils of plant and insect life.

Founded in 1521, San Juan's picturesque cobblestone streets, plazas and chapels reflect its Spanish heritage. But the second oldest city in the Americas also boasts fine beaches, lush rainforests, verdant mountainsides, imposing forts and a lovely tropical climate. Looking for a cruise to San Juan? Check out our selection of Caribbean cruises and read all about why you should cruise from San Juan.

Although founded by the French in 1627, St. Kitts is a very British paradise where cricket and tea are the norm. The dramatic mixed island landscape is rimmed in gold-sand beaches and dotted with well-preserved plantations left over from when the island was covered with sugar cane. View Shopping Guide (Current shopping maps available onboard.) Looking for a cruise to St. Kitts? Check out our selection of Caribbean cruises.

With an area of only 37 square miles, the island of St. Maarten is the smallest landmass in the world to be divided between two governments. The southern Dutch half offers casinos, duty-free shopping and island culture. The French half is all subdued sophistication. Looking for a cruise to St. Maarten? Check out our selection of Caribbean cruises.

The waterfront warehouses where gold-hungry pirates once stored their booty now house treasure of another kind: duty-free china, watches, jewelry and other luxury goods. Shopping is one of the big onshore attractions in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the US Virgin Islands. Offshore, colorful coral reefs in turquoise waters lure snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And everywhere, there's spectacular scenery everyone can enjoy!