Resorts World Bimini, Miami

Palm trees, drinks with little umbrellas, and secluded beaches where stress washes away with the tide. For Miamians, it's quite easy to turn this tropical daydream into reality. Just 50 miles to the east of the city lie the Bimini Islands. Sure, there's a little bit of ocean in the way. But one of the islands' main attractions, Resorts World Bimini, solves that with Bimini SuperFast, a luxurious behemoth that ships out of Port Miami and kicks off passengers' vacations as soon as they step on board. Six restaurants offer fuel for games of craps, roulette, and slots in the onboard casino, making the two-hour trip go by in the blink of a flirtatious mermaid's eye.

At the resort, guests disembark onto miles of white sand beaches and head off to find adventures such as kayak tours, fishing expeditions, and autograph sessions with wild dolphins. For a true thrill, local scuba experts lead diving expeditions to view up to 45 different species of sharks. Back on land, six restaurants cook up pizzas, steak, and fresh seafood. At the end of the day, explorers return to accommodations that range from studio units all the way up to private island homes overlooking the bay.