Swap the cold winter for a Caribbean cruise

Sun, surf and sand: the Caribbean is synonymous with relaxation. If you’re looking for a stress-free winter escape to a picture-perfect island, read on for five of our favourites

There’s one sure-fire way to beat the cold of the British winter: a hearty dose of warming sunshine on a winter Caribbean cruise.

Though it wasn’t easy to narrow it down, we’ve chosen five of the Caribbean’s most laid-back islands for your perfect winter cruise holiday. Dig your toes into the powder-soft sands, listen to the gently lapping waves and soak up the warming sunshine – rum cocktail optional (but highly recommended)…

What to do in Grand Turk

Governor’s Beach and Pillory Beach are two of the most popular beaches and well worth a visit (and a good, long stretch-out on the sand). Snorkelers and scuba divers are spoilt for choice in the surrounding seas – seahorses, stingrays and colourful coral reefs are all waiting to be discovered. The Gibbs Cay, Stingray and Beach shore experience takes in a boat ride, snorkel and time on the beach – the perfect way to while away the day.

If you can tear yourself away from the beaches (and frankly, we don’t blame you if you can’t), visit Cockburn Town, Grand Turk’s main town. Stroll down Duke and Front streets and admire the 18th and 19th century Bermudian architecture.

What to do on St Vincent island

St Vincent's verdant landscape has everything a nature-lover could want: lush rainforests, cool caves, swaying palms and cascading waterfalls, many of which double as swimming holes. Explore it on the Waterfall and Coast shore experience, a fun and full day ashore that includes a visit to Dark View Falls, the Bat Cave and the Pirates of the Caribbean film set, plus a buffet lunch, coastal cruise and swim.

Venture even further off the beaten track on a catamaran trip to the nearby island of Bequia, where you can snorkel the clear blue waters and relax on the soft sands of Princess Margaret Beach.

What to do in Grenada

Be sure to spend some time in the picturesque cruise port of St George’s, with its forts and French colonial-style buildings. Beach bums are in for a treat, too. Grand Anse, a two-mile stretch of pure white sand just around the bay from St George’s, is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

For the ultimate day on the water, sign up for the Champagne, Lobster, Sail and Snorkel shore experience, which includes a decadent champagne-and-lobster lunch on the beach.

What to do in St Lucia

Hike through the rainforest, kayak the blue waters or snorkel around the Pitons. For a taste of the island’s many charms, embark on the St Lucia by Land and Sea shore experience, where you can soak up the stunning sights on a guided tour, followed by a Caribbean-style buffet lunch, a coastal cruise and a swim stop at spectacular Marigot Bay.

What to do in St Kitts

The island boasts its own UNESCO World Heritage site: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is one of the largest and best-preserved forts of its kind. St Kitts’ sister island, Nevis, is a hidden Caribbean gem and definitely worth the short boat ride to visit.

For a unique way to take in the island’s sites, try the St Kitts Railway shore experience. Built between 1912 and 1926, the railway was originally designed to deliver sugarcane from the fields to the capital, Basseterre. The railcars feature an upper level with a spacious open-air observation deck – perfect for taking in the coastline, villages, farms and sugarcane fields in comfort.