22 December to 23 December

British Virgin Islands: Gorda Sound

23 December

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.

24 December

British Virgin Islands: Norman Island

25 December - At sea

26 December

Dominica: Cabrits

Cabrits National Park sits on a small peninsula at the northern end of Dominica, and encompasses coral reefs, tropical rainforest, wetlands and the former British garrison at Fort Shirley. There are some great hiking trails that begin in the park, and it’s also a good spot for diving and snorkelling.

27 December

Martinique: Saint-Pierre, Martinique

28 December - At sea

29 December

Saint Lucia: Soufrière

Soufrière is Saint Lucia’s oldest city, founded by the French in 1746 in the stunning south of the island. Nearby natural wonders include the iconic Piton mountains, the Diamond Botanical Gardens and the world’s only drive-in volcano, where you can soak in the restorative sulphur springs.

30 December - At sea

31 December

Guadeloupe: Terre-de-Haut

Eight tiny islands make up the Iles des Saintes, a sparsely inhabited archipelago off the southern coast of Guadeloupe. The most interesting island is hilly Terre-de-Haut, almost entirely populated by the fair-skinned descendants of Breton sailors and home to a beautiful bay reminiscent of a mini Rio de Janeiro.

1 January - At sea

2 January to 3 January

Saint Barthélemy: Gustavia

Gustavia is the chic and petite capital of Saint Barths, a tiny French Caribbean island that’s renowned as a haunt of the rich and the famous. You can certainly live well here if you’ve got the means, with an array of gourmet restaurants and luxury boutiques aimed squarely at the A-list. The beautiful beaches, on the other hand, are free and open to all.

4 January

Arriving in 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.