MSC MERAVIGLIA: Miami, United States - Miami, United States - 15.11.2026. - 7 days

     Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas, a group of islands 50 miles from the coast of Florida, named 'Baja Mar' by Spanish settlers. Christopher Colombus was one of the first Europeans to visit the islands, and called the inhabitants 'lucaiani', derived from 'lukku-cairi' in their native language, meaning people from the island.
     The first foreigners to have a substantial presence were British Lutherans who settled there after abandoning Bermuda in 1647. They made their home near Nassau, which is on New Providence Island, and developed a substantial maritime trade. The islands' commercial activities soon gained the unwanted attention of pirates, who for some 70 years terrorised the islands.
     Among the more notorious pirates were Barbanera, Morgan and Anne Booney, as well as the legendary Blackbeard. The Bahamas' close proximity to America encouraged trade between the two, particularly during the American War of Independence in 1776 and the Anglo-Spanish War. But following the American Civil War, the Bahamas suffered lengthy and frequent periods of economic downturn, which lasted until the end of World War II.
     Tourism became an increasingly important source of revenue, particularly after Castro came to power in Cuba and Americans had to look for an alternative nearby holiday destination. The Bahamas became part of the Commonwealth in 1969 and gained full independence in 1973. The capital Nassau, a fiscal haven, is rich in history, tradition, charm and folklore. Established in 1656, it has survived the colonial age, piracy and economic recession. Only ancient city walls and fortresses testify to the city's former troubles.
     A number of gardens and fountains punctuate the busy city streets, lined with a host of restaurants, bars and duty-free shops. The port is the busiest in the Bahamas, with a constant stream of yachts and passenger ships arriving and leaving. And there are a number of glorious sandy beaches nearby, both on New Providence Island and its sister Paradise Island, connected by bridge from Nassau.

     With a population of around 360,000, but almost 5 million in the entire urban area, Miami is Florida's most heavily populated city. It began to expand in 1896 when railway reached the city and Miami became a municipality. The pleasant climate and idyllic landscapes with numerous kilometres of beach propelled the city towards its first economic boom in the 1930s, although even greater development was to take place in the '50s.
     Thanks to the mild climate, particularly in the winter when the majority of major cities on the East Coast of the US are at freezing point, Miami quickly carved out a role for itself in the tourism industry.
      The city is also strategically located opposite the Caribbean and just 145km from Cuba: heavy Cuban immigration has consequently helped shape the identity of Miami in terms of culture and language. Indeed half of the city's population is now of Hispanic origin.
     The city is divided into distinct neighbourhoods, some of which have separate and independent local governments, such as Miami Beach. Biscayne Boulevard is the main attraction in the area around the port and is flanked by large parks such as Bayfront Park and the Bicentennial Park; to the south of the port lies the financial district.
     In downtown Miami, Flager Street is where to head to do a bit of shopping in the department stores and clothes, electronics, sports and jewellery shops. In the Metro Dade Center you can visit the Museum of Southern Florida, the city's main library, and the Museum of Fine Arts, which holds temporary modern art exhibitions. Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest district and has become, over time, an exclusive and refined residential area. Here you will find the local government offices, City Hall's home is an ex-1930s hangar. Other places of note in the neighbourhood include Peacock Park and the Dinner Key, Miami's tourist port.
     Little Havana is the Cuban district characterised by an almost Caribbean atmosphere where Spanish is spoken more readily than English. The main road Calle Ocho runs through the district, which is lined with shops and cafés, whilst other places of interest include the Museum of the Cuban Arts and Culture, the Museum of Science and the Máximo Gómez Park.
     Six kilometres to the east of Miami is Miami Beach, an island comprising a long, thin strip of sand connected to the mainland by a system of bridges. The southern end of Miami Beach is called South Beach and it is here that the city's recent rebirth began.
     Miami's image had been tarnished in the '80s by heavy crime, racial violence, and the drugs and gambling culture that has been synonymous with the city since the 1930s when it was one of the few places in the States untouched by Prohibition.
     The Art Deco Historic District, built up in the 1920s and noted for its pastel, rose, lavender and turquoise colour houses, has recently been restored and represents an excellent example of the urban restoration of modern architecture, attracting thousands of tourists each year. But Miami Beach also means the seafront and the famous Ocean Drive that separates the beach from the infinite numbers of bars and restaurants. An never-ending parade of bizarre cars, roller-skaters, skateboarders, and super-accessorised Harley Davidsons ensure that visitors remain amused.
     As with the rest of the culture in Florida, food and drink in Miami has a heavy Cuban and Caribbean influence: the fish and seafood caught in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico form the base of the most popular dishes.
     Florida is also known for its large-scale production of fruit and vegetables, and is one of the biggest producers in the States.