They say familiarity breeds contempt, and that is certainly true of the perception of the Caribbean as a holiday destination over the last few years. What was once perceived as the playground of the rich and famous has become devalued by charter flights and all-inclusive family hotels, to the extent that many now think of this exotic destination as the heir to Benidorm (and let’s not forget that the Spanish Riviera was once, too, considered to be the height of sophistication).

Likewise Caribbean Cruising has become commonplace. The standard Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries leaving from Florida are all too familiar, and the ports of call tend to be large duty free shopping malls, or private islands enabling the cruise operators to ensure that more of their customers’ spending money returns to them.

Of course there is another face to the Caribbean, and a very different type of Caribbean cruise. The Caribbean of tiny islands, gem-like bays, pristine white sand beaches, and laid-back locals greeting you like old friends awaits, and many cruise lines will be happy to show you. To see this Caribbean, you just have to choose your ship carefully. Here are a few recommendations:

Wind Surf
One of the best air services into the Caribbean for the British customer is to Barbados, so this cruise leaving conveniently from Barbados is an excellent choice. You don’t have to tolerate the misery of passing through US immigration, and you have the flexibility that comes from a choice of daily flights.

Wind Surf carries just over 300 passengers in attractive accommodation – choose from compact yacht-style cabins or double size suites, and enjoy a truly relaxed and laid-back experience. With a port of call every day, you can take time to explore, or to enjoy the watersports equipment the ship carries, whilst each evening you dine when you please, and with whoever you choose, enjoying pre-dinner drinks or a nightcap out on deck, as the Caribbean breezes ruffle the sails above your head.

Wind Surf offers a choice of two seven day itineraries, which can be combined to create a 14 night cruise. On takes you northbound to the French West Indies and St Lucia, the other southwards to meander through the Windward Islands, visiting the Grenadines, Dominica, St Lucia and Tobago.

Wind Surf cruises the Caribbean at the perfect time of year, from the end of November through to the end of March

SeaDream Yacht Club
Its byline ‘It’s Yachting, not Cruising’ says it all when you are considering a sojourn on one of the lovely SeaDream yachts. With no more than one hundred fellow guests, you enjoy an outdoor experience which includes dining on deck, movies under the stars, a nightcap at the Top of the Yacht bar, and even the opportunity to snuggle up with a loved one the whole night through on the Balinese sunbeds. With everything included in the up-front cost, you really do feel like guests on a private yacht as the crew devote their lives to making your trip completely perfect.

With five, seven, nine and fourteen night itineraries through the British and US Virgin Islands, you can tailor your trip to suit the time you have available. Whichever you choose, you will avoid the large cruise ships flocking to the major ports of call, sticking rather to yachting havens, remote islands and deserted beaches. Late night and overnight stays in port enable you to enjoy the nightlife shoreside as well as on your yacht, and each itinerary includes water sport days for you to enjoy the vessel’s ‘toys’ from the marina, and a champagne and caviar splash in the surf, with beach barbecue served on china. Take the mountain bikes ashore to explore on your own, or enjoy massage, tai-chi and yoga on the beach.

The best of the rest
If you prefer a larger ship, why not look at Seven Seas Voyager in December, with unusual itineraries including Guatemala and Belize, or Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. Or why not look at Crystal, whose leisurely programmes include plenty of sea days to enjoy the resort style ship, and a transit of the Panama Canal as well as some Caribbean ports of call. The elegant vessels of Silversea bypass the busy islands to reach the havens of the southern Caribbean, whilst the little 200 guest Yachts of Seabourn have some wonderful seven and fourteen day options. Finally, if you fancy, Pirates of the Caribbean style, to explore the area under sail, the magnificent Royal Clipper could be the choice for you, as you climb the rigging to help set sail, or take it easy with a hammock on deck or sunbathing in the nets.