Caribbean Introduction

A cruise around the islands of the Eastern Caribbean offers great variety, from very small, sleepy ports with gingerbread houses and exquisite beaches, to much bigger, more commercial destinations favoured by shoppers in search of some of the best bargains around in jewellery, precious stones and electronics.

There are numerous colonial influences, from the prim and proper Barbados, once part of the British Empire, to the designer shops and boulangeries of Guadeloupe and Martinique, both of which still belong to France. Everywhere you go, the locals will speak their own patois mixed with either French, English or even, in St Maarten, Dutch.

These are all superb destinations for an active cruise, with every water sport imaginable on offer as well as some fantastic hikes, from gentle nature walks through the rainforest to tough mountain trails. Explore the islands on foot, on horseback, by mountain bike or canoe - or simply relax on a coach tour. You'll never be far from a gorgeous beach, or a cheerful rum shack conjuring up the holiday spirit with the infectious beat of reggae.

The islands of the Western Caribbean offer plenty of contrasts, thanks to their English and Spanish colonial influences. Dominican Republic is distinctly Latin in feel, with colonial architecture and lively bars where you can dance the samba and merengue until the early hours. In contrast, Grand Cayman is neat, British and wealthy, thanks to its status as an offshore finance centre.

Cuba, meanwhile, is one of those must-see places, with its Hemingway heritage, hand-rolled cigars, vintage cars and magnificent architecture. Inaccessible to the huge American-operated cruise ships, it still has a slightly undiscovered feel compared to other islands.

Jamaica, home of reggae, also has its own inimitable style - laid back and friendly, with rum punch a-plenty, gorgeous beaches, dramatic scenery, great shopping and an interesting colonial past, the architecture of which is still very much in evidence.

Find out more information on your possible ports of call:

Antigua- Aruba. Bahamas- Nassau. Barbados. British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica. Cuba. Curacao. Dominican Republic- Dominica, Santo Domingo, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Grenadines, Guadeloupe. Jamaica- Montego Bay, Ocho Rios. Margarita Isla- Martinique. Puerto Rico. San Blas Islands- St Kitts, St Lucia, St Maarten. Trinidad & Tobago

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