The idyllic combination of white sands, limpid azure seas, blue cloudless skies, swaying green palms and vivid red sunsets make the fabulous Caribbean the ultimate cruise holiday destination. Every port of call is full of life and rich in colour. From Curacao to Aruba, Barbados to St Lucia, a cruise holiday through central and southern Caribbean is the experience of a lifetime.

Although Barbados gained its independence from the British in 1966, the island maintains a distinctly British flavour. From British products such as chocolate and china to the national pastime, cricket, the British influence is evident throughout Barbados.

St Lucia has been part of the British Commonwealth since 1803. Prior to that was often occupied by the French, as is evident by much of the island's culture. Castries, the main port of call in St Lucia, offers a colourful local market and great shopping. The surrounding area offers lush rain forests, striking waterfalls, beautiful beaches and Sulphur Springs – the world's only drive-through volcano.

The first settlement on the island we now know as Antigua was not established until the 1600s, when English settlers arrived on the island. Antigua remained a part of the British Commonwealth until its independence in 1981. Today, Antigua is a popular holiday destination, attracting tourists with its ideal climate, 366 beautiful beaches and leisurely lifestyle.

In 1499, Spain claimed Aruba but did little to cultivate it, deciding the island lacked attractive resources. After a long war with the Netherlands, Spain relinquished Aruba to the Dutch in 1642. Dutch and indigenous cultures have combined to give Aruba its unique atmosphere, which today's visitors can enjoy along with the beautiful beaches, excellent snorkelling, and exciting nightlife.

Curacao is the largest of six islands that comprise the Netherlands Antilles. It gained autonomy from the Netherlands in 1954, but the Dutch influence is still very visible in Willemstad's architecture and culture. With the growth of the oil industry in Curacao in the early 20 th century, workers and their families came to the island from more than 50 countries, providing for a varied and vibrant population.

Set along the clear waters of the Caribbean coast, this province has a wide variety of attractions, from beautiful beaches to fascinating historical sites.

Located on Columbia's Caribbean coast, the historic city of Cartagena is almost completely surrounded by lagoons and bays and still girded by the 17 th century fortifications that protected gold and treasures bound for Spain.

Christopher Columbus named it the ‘Rich Coast' (Costa Rica), which is understandable when you experience its lush and stunning scenery, where rainforest meets jungle beside a gloriously warm ocean. Founded in 1870, Puerto Limon was used for exporting bananas and grain. Today it is the perfect place to relax and watch the exotic birds flit from palm tree to palm tree.

There is such a huge selection of cruises holiday itineraries and destinations available in the Caribbean, on a range of cruise lines.