Caribbean Celebration

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

Sail a catamaran to St. John and snorkel over gorgeous coral gardens in the first underwater national park.

After strolling the charming colonial streets and shops of Basseterre, take a drive to Brimstone Hill Fort. Its impressive colonial construction is truly one of the wonders of the Caribbean.

St Vincent’s island capital is a throng of colonial stone arches, pure white beaches and lush tropical gardens, just a hop and a skip from the cruise terminal. Your guide to Kingstown. Explore the former British Garrison of Fort Charlotte, visit the village where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed, or settle into a beach bar with a heady rum punch. In town, you’ll find quaint gift shops selling handmade trinkets and humble local eateries offering grilled fish with a signature Caribbean kick. Beyond Kingston, waterfalls, fruit plantations, and the beach of Mount Wynne are ready to show you another side of island life.

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.

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.

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

Around 850 miles west of Portugal, the Azores are an archipelago of nine Portuguese-speaking islands scattered across the Atlantic waters, known for their dramatic and verdant landscapes. Portuguese navigators discovered the first of the Azores in 1432, although 2,000 Flemish settlers were among its early immigrants, and their influence can still be seen in the windmills that dot the landscape on some islands. Praia de Vitoria is located on Terceira, an island whose name means ‘third’ in reference to the order in which it was discovered.

The Azores rise from the Atlantic Ocean, 900 miles from the Portuguese coast. The largest city in the Azores, Ponta Delgada is on Sao Miguel and is named after the volcanic lands it sits proudly upon. This Atlantic stepping-stone also claims to produce the world’s finest pineapples. If that’s not an invitation to try one, we don’t know what is.

Step aboard in Southampton & straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle. Just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moment. So, relax and raise a toast as the UK drifts from sight. Before you know it, you'll be watching your destination come into view. But where will it be ?