About the cruise

Fly to Barbados to embark Ventura for some silken sands and a chance to swim with Hawksbill Turtles. Next, head for St. Vincent – the largest of The Grenadines. Visit the stunning botanical gardens in Kingstown and drive through the lush Mesopotamia Valley.

The largest island in the Dutch Antilles, Curacao is home to more than 50 nationalities so has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Its lovely capital and cruise port, Willemstad, is full of 17th, 18th and 19th century Dutch and Spanish Colonial architecture. Bonaire is known for its preservation of nature and marine life. Crystal clear waters, unusual aquatic life and colourful coral gardens make it a prime scuba diving site.

Catalina Island, off the Dominican Republic, is the perfect place to while away a day doing absolutely nothing. Sunbathing, rum punch and a beach barbecue is the order of the day. On to Tortola – lazy, laid-back and the largest of the British Virgin Islands. The views from Mount Sage are magnificent and the beach at neighbouring Virgin Gorda heavenly.

St. Maarten’s split personality is enchanting. Philipsburg, the Dutch capital, offers superlative shopping, whilst across the border, the French side is simply tres chic. St. Lucia is cloaked in verdant rainforests and its skyline is dominated by the twin peaks of Les Pitons.

On Martinique, another French oasis, steep volcanic Mon Pelé dominates the north, whilst the south houses sugar plains and colourful Fort de France. Grenada is awash with waterfalls, forests and mountain valleys. And the beaches are to die for, especially Grand Anse - a two-mile stretch of pure white heaven. Finally you arrive back in the quintessential Caribbean isle of Barbados, before your overnight flight back to the UK.