Extend Your Cruise Vacation With a Pre- or Post-Stay in Port
A cruise vacation is an exciting time to enjoy unique excursions in beautiful ports of call around the world. But depending on the itinerary, your arrival or departure port can be a destination worth exploring as well. Popular ports in Florida, Hawaii and New York offer their own activities, events and sights to check out.
Discover what you can do before or after your cruise at these ports of call along with a preview of just some of the places you can sail to with CruisesOnly.
Florida
Members can embark from several spots all over Florida—Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami and Port Canaveral, near Orlando. Depart from Port Canaveral, and you can explore the must-see destination that is the Caribbean on the Three-Night Bahamas voyage, which sails on the new Mariner of the Seas and takes guests to Nassau and then to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.
You can enrich your trip with a pre- or post-cruise stay at Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld, where you can check out these unique activities:
- Experience a theme park. Visit Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld (located right across the street from the resort)—after all, you will be in “The Theme Park Capital of the World.” These parks offer family-friendly fun with exhilarating rides, live entertainment, fireworks shows and special events.
- Bring your vacation to new heights at the Kennedy Space Center. Get acquainted with NASA’s key figures and pioneers, tour launch sites and working space flight facilities, relive historic launches and get a close look at the Saturn V rocket while you’re there.
- Discover an abundance of entertainment at ICON Park Orlando. Take a ride on the 400-foot-high observation wheel for a great view, get up close and personal with the stars at the Madame Tussauds Orlando wax museum, or observe exotic species at the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. The park also has several dining options such as the Sugar Factory, serving decadent desserts; Tapa Toro, a Spanish restaurant that features live flamenco dance performances at night; and the Mexican restaurant Uncle Julio’s, where guests can take a whack at their signature Chocolate Piñata, which is filled with homemade churros and fresh fruit.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, Members depart from beautiful Honolulu. Canadian cruises abound at this picturesque port, and the 10-Night Hawaii Northbound voyage aboard the Celebrity Solstice brings Members to the vibrant city of Vancouver in British Columbia. On the way, Members can see Hawaii from a different angle with stops in Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Lahaina.
Before this journey, Members can stay at the Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Honolulu. Located in the heart of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa complex, the 39-story tower is minutes away from Waikiki Beach and offers four swimming pools—among them, a 10,000-square-foot super pool—along with exercise facilities, kid-friendly activities and the Mandara Spa.
And while you’re in Waikiki:
- Take a hike to the top of Diamond Head. This volcanic formation on Waikiki’s coast is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks and geological structures. Once guests reach the top, which takes around two hours, they are treated to uninterrupted views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.
- Enjoy Waikiki Beach. If you’re in Hawaii, you must take advantage of its world-renowned beaches, and Waikiki Beach stands out with its clear blue waters and white sand. Enjoy total relaxation on the beach or get active and hit the water for a day of swimming, surfing, snorkeling and canoe rides.
- Walk Along Kalakaua Ave. Don’t worry, there’s more to Waikiki than just beaches, it’s also a bustling neighborhood with countless shopping, dining and nightlife opportunities, with many found on the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue. Visit the six-floor Waikiki Shopping Plaza to browse designer clothing, jewelry and distinctly Hawaiian gifts. Or, go to the International Market Place to enjoy one of Waikiki’s largest collections of restaurants, serving everything from American-Hawaiian fusion to traditional Italian.
New York
In New York, Members can embark on a journey from three ports of call in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bayonne, New Jersey. While a wide variety of itineraries sail from the Big Apple, the city is also a popular departure point for Canadian cruises. For example, the Five-Night Canadian Atlantic Provinces Getaway brings passengers to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick, aboard the Regal Princess.
If you extend your vacation with a stay at The Residences by Hilton Club, you’ll be right in the heart of midtown Manhattan overlooking Central Park. That means you’ll have plenty to do during your days on land:
- Catch a Broadway show. The Theater District is just minutes from the resort and is home to 40 professional theaters, not to mention high-end restaurants and shops to enjoy after the show.
- Enjoy an event at the historic Madison Square Garden. Concerts, professional sporting events and comedy shows are held in this arena.
- Visit Rockefeller Center. Home to Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios, this sprawling complex features a variety of stores, art exhibits, gardens and eateries—including the gourmet American seafood restaurant Oceana, part of the Elevated Rewards Program.
Ready to Book a Cruise?
Contact CruisesOnly at 800-364-3656 or visit hgvc.cruisesonly.com. And don’t forget: Throughout the year, HGV offers special ClubPartner Perk Grand Adventures with CruisesOnly, like the upcoming Breathtaking Alaskan Adventure.
*Top photo by demerzel21/Getty Images