9 January

Barbados: Bridgetown

There’s more to Barbados than just beaches; the delightful architecture of the old garrison in Bridgetown, the capital, is fully deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status, and the island interior is littered with old sugar plantations and natural wonders such as Harrison’s Cave.

10 January

Saint Lucia: Castries

Castries, Saint Lucia’s diminutive capital, is home to some interesting markets and colonial buildings. The island’s highlights are situated elsewhere, however, and we’d recommend either heading south towards Soufrière, where the iconic Piton mountains guard a beautiful bay, or north to the bars, restaurants and beaches of Rodney Bay.

11 January - At sea

12 January

Montserrat: Montserrat

Montserrat garnered global attention in 1995 when the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted, burying the island’s capital, Plymouth. Although an exclusion zone is still in place in the south, visitors are often surprised by how lush and unspoilt the rest of the island is, home to a colourful variety of birdlife.

13 January

Antigua and Barbuda: St John's

Antigua is famously home to 365 beaches - one for every day of the year - and there is an undeniable allure to the many white sand coves dotted along the coast. The capital, St John’s, is worth a look, but if you’ve got time to visit the south coast you’ll find historic Nelson’s Dockyard a lot more interesting.

14 January

Saint Kitts and Nevis: South Friars Bay

The beach at South Friars Bay is a lovely sweep of golden sand at the southern end of St Kitts, although it can get a little busy when the larger cruise ships are docked on the island. There are several bars and restaurants along this half-mile stretch, with watersports equipment and loungers available to rent.

15 January

British Virgin Islands: Jost Van Dyke

The idyllic island of Jost Van Dyke, named after an early Dutch settler, is known for its laid back vibe and friendly beach bars, including the famous Foxy’s, which counts Keith Richards amongst its past customers. It’s a place to kick back and relax, and the clear blue waters are also perfect for snorkelling.

16 January

Sint Maarten: Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the gateway to an intriguing little Caribbean island with a dual personality: the Dutch side, St. Maarten, is the livelier of the two, with shopping malls, casinos and more of a nightlife scene, while French-speaking St. Martin is a more refined (and more expensive) affair, with a laid-back, continental air and a host of exclusive resorts and restaurants.

17 January

British Virgin Islands: Frenchman's Cay

18 January

Saint Kitts and Nevis: South Friars Bay

The beach at South Friars Bay is a lovely sweep of golden sand at the southern end of St Kitts, although it can get a little busy when the larger cruise ships are docked on the island. There are several bars and restaurants along this half-mile stretch, with watersports equipment and loungers available to rent.

19 January - At sea

20 January

Martinique: Trois-Îlets

Trois-Îlets is perhaps best known for the plantation La Pagerie, the birthplace and childhood home of Joséphine Bonaparte. The main beach, Anse Mitan, is a picturesque spot with a few shops and restaurants close by, and you can catch a ferry across the bay to Martinique’s bustling capital, Fort-de-France.

21 January

St. Vincent & Grenadines: Bequia

Bequia is an incredibly friendly, laid-back island blessed with pristine golden sand beaches and some excellent restaurants. It’s also a popular sailing destination; the yachts tend to congregate around Admiralty Bay, where you’ll find the little waterfront town of Port Elizabeth.

22 January

Grenada: St George's

Browse the markets of charming St George’s, fragrant with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg, and you’ll soon understand why Grenada is known as the ‘isle of spice’. This is one of the Caribbean’s most enchanting islands, fringed by gorgeous beaches and largely unsullied by mass market tourism.

23 January

Arriving in Bridgetown

There’s more to Barbados than just beaches; the delightful architecture of the old garrison in Bridgetown, the capital, is fully deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status, and the island interior is littered with old sugar plantations and natural wonders such as Harrison’s Cave.