Caribbean

The heart of modern cruising beats in Miami. So, what better place to begin or end your Southern Crossing! Consider spending an extra day at one of the area's famous beach hotels

Forming a British Overseas Territory, this archipelago consists of around 40 low-lying islands southeast of the Bahamas. Grand Turk is the second most populated, even at scarcely seven square miles. The oldest known residents were the Arawak-speaking Taino people, and it is believed they traded salt which formed naturally when the sea water entered shallow inland ponds and evaporated in the sun. Indeed British colonists from Bermuda arrived in the late seventeenth century to collect the salt, and they modified the system. There’s still plenty of evidence of the low stone walls used to compartment off the salt pans across the islands, not least at the Salt House museum next to Town Salina.

Like a tropical Amsterdam, Willemstad is resplendent with little canals and pastel-colored houses. Take the free ferry to the shopping district, or woo lady luck at one of the island's casinos.

Somewhere in the Caribbean - far, far away - is a marine paradise of angelfish, coral reefs, mangrove forests, graceful flamingos and sandy lagoons. This is just one of our destinations that has to be seen to be believed.

Brightly coloured houses, vibrant street life, a distinct buzz in the air – all are part of the experience when you visit the Schooner Market and watch merchants sell exotic fruit and fresh fish direct from tiny boats.

The heart of modern cruising beats in Miami. So, what better place to begin or end your Southern Crossing! Consider spending an extra day at one of the area's famous beach hotels

From the magnificent harbour of this lush Caribbean isle it's just a short walk to the historic streets of Old San Juan. Outside the city, visit the only rainforest on U.S. soil.

Famously dusted with pristine white sands and pulsating to the rhythm of steel drums, Antigua is a real Caribbean treat. Visit Shirley Heights, a fortress dominating the entry to the English Harbour. From the bustling bijou port of St. Johns, tour to Shirley Heights and the fortress entrance to English Harbour. Historic Nelson's dockyard warehouses now feature a variety of shops and restaurants.

Take your time browsing the vibrant market place where few visitors fail to be charmed by the friendly Creole people. What better way to seek out bargains than with the beautiful Caribbean shimmering in the distance.

Barbados is one of the most well known and beautiful islands in the eastern Caribbean. It is part of the British Commonwealth and is named after the Bearded Fig Tree, which was once found in abundance. Barbados is an island where relaxation and adventure go hand in hand. White sandy beaches stretch for miles while snorkelling and sailing are some of the world-class water sports on offer. A cruise to Barbados starts with a walk around Bridgetown, the capital city, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The city has a charming combination of colonial buildings and Caribbean vibrancy. Make sure you visit St Nicholas Abbey, a historic plantation house and one of three Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere.

Half Dutch and half French, this island is a sun-worshipper's dream. Browse all morning in Philipsburg's gingerbread shops. Then laze in the lap of luxury at one of the island's beach resorts.

Upon docking at Road Town, you can explore the many beauties of Tortola, including ivory-coloured sands, crystal-clear aquamarine seas and the beautiful and natural world of JR O’Neal Botanic Gardens. Local cuisine features succulent Anegada lobster, papaya and sweet potato pudding and, if your taste is for unspoilt beaches, Cane Garden Bay’s flawless horseshoe of sand is mouth-watering.

The heart of modern cruising beats in Miami. So, what better place to begin or end your Southern Crossing! Consider spending an extra day at one of the area's famous beach hotels