Atlantic Cruise - from New York - 133311

New York - the huge, vibrant city by the Hudson River and the unofficial capital of the world - is without a doubt one of the most fascinating cities in the USA. Around 12 million residents from all over the world call New York home. The city is divided into five districts, Manhattan being the heart of the city and the most famous district. Probably just about anyone coming to New York thinks first of Wall Street, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue and the many museums, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. All of this can be found in New York City, indeed in the "small" district of Manhattan. "The Big Apple", as the city is also known, is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, from rich to poor - the ultimate city of contrasts. The subject of many songs, and yet more literature, New York is in a constant state of flux. It is a centre for the economy, the arts and architecture that each of the 25 million visitors annually will experience differently, but which captures the imagination of every single one of them.

King's Wharf, also known as Royal Naval Dockyard, is on Ireland Island in the most westerly of the nine parishes of Bermuda, Sandys Parish. The port facilities were run by the British for many years as the "Gibraltar of the West". It served as a dockyard and supply station for ships travelling between the West Indies in the Caribbean and Nova Scotia. The fort built between 1814 and 1863 served as a base during both World Wars and was abandoned in 1951. Later, the buildings were given a new lease of life: today they house, among other things, a maritime museum, a cinema, a DIY store and "Bermuda Snorkelling Park". The beautiful beaches of Somerset Long Bay are just a short distance away. The dock is now also a port of call for cruise ships. Other ports in the Bermudas include St. George and Hamilton.

San Juan, the capital of the Greater Antilles island of Puerto Rico, is known as the 'oldest American city'. It was from here that the expeditions set out to explore the New World. The historic old town with the university, the fort 'La Fortaleza', the gothic cathedral and the historic buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era are all well worth a visit. Since 1983, San Juan has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 'New' San Juan boasts luxurious resorts, hotels, casinos and exclusive discos, while nature lovers can explore the nearby rainforest with its mountain lakes and waterfalls.