The Gulf of Mexico is the arm of the Atlantic Ocean, bordered on the north by the United States, on the east by Cuba, and on the south and west by Mexico. It covers an area of 579,000 sq miles and extends 1,100 miles from east to west and some 800 miles from north to south. The gulf is connected with the Atlantic by the narrow Straits of Florida and with the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatán Channel. Major rivers entering the gulf include the Mississippi, Brazos, and Río Grande. Shrimping is important in shallow coastal waters, and petroleum deposits are located in the Bay of Campeche and off the Louisiana and Texas coasts.

The Gulf of Mexico offers tranquil waters, soul-soothing breezes, drop-dead gorgeous beaches, charming fishing villages, and fascinating cities. Cruise passengers may have the opportunity to savor the sidewalk sounds of Mariachi bands in Cancun, dip below the surface to explore Cozumel’s world-renowned coral reefs, or revisit ancient Mayan history at the awe-inspiring archeological ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Progreso offers beaches galore, a colorful fleet of fishing boats, and succulent seafood. Stateside, stops may include Tampa, a city flush with palm trees and amusement parks, and New Orleans, where jazz and zydeco music, mouthwatering Cajun cuisine, and quirky characters add up to an exuberant street scene.