About the cruise

On your journey to the glorious Caribbean, call into the ‘Crystal City’, Corunna. So named because of the glass-enclosed balconies, which adorn the tall buildings facing the harbour. Here you will find the oldest working lighthouse in the world, known as Hercules’ Tower and on the seafront, San Antón Castle, which houses the archaeology and historical museum. Next stop – Antigua, with a beach for every day of the year, you will be spoilt for choice. Explore historic Nelson’s Dockyard and appreciate how the island would have looked when Horatio was stationed here.

An island with a split personality, either side of St. Maarten is equally enchanting. Philipsburg, the Dutch capital, offers superlative shopping and equally fine beers. Cross into the French side and you will notice a distinctly different atmosphere - particularly in Marigot, the elegant French capital with its bistros and boulangeries. Dominica was so named because Columbus discovered the island on a Sunday. When he arrived it was populated by Carib Indians and today around 3,000 Caribs still survive on Dominica, living a traditional life on a special reserve. Dominated by the majestic twin peaks of Les Pitons, St. Lucia is a welcoming and beautiful place. In Castries, the capital, there’s a colourful local market and a host of restaurants to choose from. If lovely Marigot Bay looks familiar, you may remember it from the original Dr. Doolittle, the musical was filmed here.

Grenada is a major producer of nutmeg, vanilla, mace and cinnamon – so much so that the very air is perfumed with exotic aromas. Awash with waterfalls, mountain valleys and forests, the beaches are to die for, and the harbour of St. George’s is one of the prettiest in the entire Caribbean. Arguably the most British of the Caribbean islands, Barbados has much to commend it. Cricket is a passion and afternoon tea a ritual. The island offers everything you would expect from the Caribbean and more besides. The beaches are certainly glorious, but they are also lined with stunning and famous world-class hotels. As you get closer to home Madeira rises from the sea like a shimmering, floating garden. Funchal, the main town, rises in endless terraces up a vivid green mountainside and offers panoramic views from the top. And don’t miss the opportunity to take a levada walk. You will arrive in Southampton on Sunday 11 January.