FIND YOUR PERFECT CARIBBEAN PARADISE
Discover a new Caribbean island every day on a captivating 14-night cruise, taking in the diverse cultures, fascinating history and beautiful landscapes of the region...
AS MORE and more people discover the delights of holidays at sea, there is one constant in the burgeoning cruise market: the Caribbean. With year-round sunshine, tropical beaches and distinctly different, colourful characters, these spectacular islands – part of the West Indies – all have individual appeal, but together offer an enticing escape break for winter-weary Britons seeking some sun. Not for nothing is the Caribbean the most popular destination for UK cruise travellers during the colder months back home: indeed, from midDecember to April, the weather is typically hot, sunny and dry, with low humidity and gentle sea breezes to offer welcome respite in the heat of the day.
Conveniently sprinkled at navigable distances throughout the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, the islands are tailor-made for cruising itineraries: it’s possible to drop anchor in a new destination each morning.
For British holidaymakers, it makes sense to join your cruise in Barbados, with numerous daily direct flights from the UK to the island’s Grantley Adams airport, ensuring you start your trip in streamlined style.
BEAUTIFUL ADVENTURE
THE Jewels of the Caribbean cruise on MSC Fantasia, available as an exclusive package via Cruise Club UK, is a circular cruise starting and ending in Bridgetown, Barbados, and taking in some of the region’s most captivating islands on its 14-night itinerary.
First stop on this magical voyage is Port of Spain, Trindad, with its dramatic Northern Range mountain chain, cloaked in lush rainforests. A former cocoa and coffee plantation is now home to the 80-hectare Asa Wright Nature Centre, brimming with rare birds and a wonderful place for a leisurely walk or exhilarating hike. Head off on a scenic drive, a Jeep adventure or go kayaking in the island’s beautiful mangrove swamps, before rejoining the ship and setting sail for Grenada overnight. On board, take your pick from numerous dining options, from the grand main restaurant, Il Cerchio d’Oro, and the intimate Red Velvet to El Sombrero’s Tex-Mex and margaritas. After dinner, head to the piano or jazz bar for live entertainment or the sports bar where you’ll find a bowling alley plus live sports and games televised from around the world.
Come morning, you’ll have dropped anchor in Saint George, Grenada, the ‘Spice Island’. Join a small sailboat and set off for a dive in some of the best shipwreck sites in the world, or to the Underwater Sculpture Park, an undersea art gallery viewable by glass-bottomed boat. Visit Grand Anse beach, claimed to be one of the best in the Caribbean, or stock up on fresh spices in the markets of St George’s old town.
MSC Fantasia’s next port of call is Dominica, docking in the capital, Roseau, where the botanical gardens and the observation deck on Morne Bruce, overlooking the city, beckon. Take a dip in the lakes at the base of the island’s stunning waterfalls, see the hot springs, or book an exhilarating rainforest drive. Travelling on to Martinique, you’ll enjoy a charming mix of French and Creole cultures: in the vibrant city of Fort de France, Parisian chic blends with the laid-back Caribbean vibe. Beyond the city, volcanic landscapes are home to sugar, palm, pineapple and banana plantations, fringed with black and white sandy beaches – Christopher Columbus declared it the ‘most beautiful country in the world’, when he arrived here in 1493. Enjoy a colourful evening in Fort de France before departing for the short sailing to Guadeloupe – part of France, so you do your market shopping in euros!
Next is St Maarten, which has a dual Dutch/French identity. You’ll have time to explore both ‘sides’ of the island, discovering the elegant colonial architecture of Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side, and Marigot, more akin to a French village. Of course, there are vast stretches of stunning sandy beaches and plenty of water sports if you’d rather relax in style.
THE IDYLLIC ISLANDS
THE British Virgin Islands are made up of 60 picture-perfect islands, the largest of which is Tortola, where you’ll drop anchor for the day, but can hop across to Norman Island or Jost van Dyke, for example. Arriving in St Vincent, part of the Grenadines, at lunchtime on day nine of your cruise, you’ll discover a tropical paradise of sparkling white beaches lapped by turquoise waters packed with rainbow-coloured reefs and marine life. Enjoy a blissful afternoon snorkelling or soaking up the sunshine here.
On to Antigua next, one of the largest English-speaking Leeward Isles in the Eastern Caribbean, to enjoy delicious
These islands offer a beguiling winter break for Britons seeking sun
Creole cuisine, shop for local handicrafts in the markets of St John or relax on one of the island’s 365 beaches – one for every day of the year! Basseterre, on St Kitts and Nevis, is compact and brimming with colonial heritage, while its beaches offer windsurfing, diving and snorkelling.
En route to St Lucia, you’ll spend another day in both Martinique and Guadeloupe, before docking in Castries, to spend your last day enjoying the dramatic backdrop of the renowned pitons, as you shop for pottery, baskets and wooden crafts in the local markets, or head to Anse La Raye, a charming fishing village along the coast.
Of course, your holiday continues as you spend your final night on board MSC Fantasia. MSC Cruises are renowned for European glamour and you will find this in abundance onboard this beautiful ship. With Swarovski staircases, panoramic lifts and 14 bars and restaurants the choice is endless.
Enjoy the company of new-found friends, visit the photo gallery to download your professional holiday pictures or visit the 1,600 seater theatre to see one of the unique shows. The following morning after visiting 13 amazing picture postcard destinations you disembark in Bridgetown and transfer to the airport for your flight home, with magical memories to treasure forever.