Sun, sea and sand

Since most of the world’s fleet will be located in the Caribbean this Winter, the choice of itineraries is huge. Do you want to visit the big islands, such as BARBADOS, ANTIGUA, ST LUCIA and JAMAICA, where there’ll be lots to do during your times ashore, or would you prefer to sail off the beaten track and call at some of the smaller islands, such as BEQUIA, NEVIS, ST BARTS or the BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS? Are you interested in colonial heritage, and visiting those with strong British or French roots? Or heading west and including the Yucatán coast of MEXICO and the island of COZUMEL? Several cruise lines even offer their own private island with shore facilities exclusively set up for their passengers. You can also choose to sail to the Caribbean from a UK port or fly straight out to the islands and spend all your sea time in the sun. There are also mini jaunts on offer, from MIAMI in FLORIDA to the BAHAMAS, for example. Carnival Vista (carnival.co.uk) has a six-day hop around from Miami from 5 March 2017, which calls at GRAND CAYMAN, OCHO RIOS in Jamaica and COZUMEL in Mexico. From £599pp, excluding flights. Fred Olsen’s Braemar has a 14-night ‘The Best of the Caribbean’ cruise departing from Barbados on 5 January 2017. Islands of call include TOBAGO, GRENADA, ST VINCENT, DOMINICA, ST KITTS, TORTOLA, the TURKS & CAICOS and ST MAARTEN. From £2,099pp, including flights and transfers.