Cruises – Telegraph.co.uk

As cruise regions come and go; some falling out of favour while others take the spotlight, there is a constant: theCaribbean. Its not difficult to see why. The weather, is, of course, a major factor. A Caribbean cruise comes with the promise of tropical heat and sunshine a big draw particularly in the peak-season winter months.

Then there is the Caribbeans geographical make up -- seemingly tailor-made for cruising, with the islands spaced to allow passengers to arrive at a new port on a new island most mornings. And importantly, a cruise is the best way to see several islands in a single trip. Independent inter-island travel in the Caribbean usually means flying which can be pricey and a hassle. A cruise is likely to work out far cheaper, and more relaxing, with no need for constant packing and unpacking.

One of the prime draws of the Caribbean is relaxing on a beach, and at virtually every port of call you can do just that. A major selling point of some cruise companies is a day at their own hassle-free beach. But most islands also offer a big selection of things to see and do. For one thing, woven into the fabric of many Caribbean islands is a rich and complex colonial heritage. Your cruise may visit islands with strong British, Hispanic, Gallic and Dutch cultures or influences allowing you to immerse yourself in Spanish colonial cities such as Havana or San Juan, visit plantation houses on Barbados and Georgian Nelsons Dockyard on Antigua, dine on French-Creole cuisine in Martinique, and admire the Dutch colonial architecture of Curaaos Willemstad.

In terms of activities, one day you could be snorkelling with stingrays off Grand Cayman, on another climbing waterfalls in Jamaica, or zip-lining overSt Lucias rainforest canopy, river tubing in Dominica, or kayaking alongGrenadas indented coast. The wide choice of non-cultural excursions makes the Caribbean ideal cruise territory for families.

Here is my selection of this year's best Caribbean cruises. All prices include flights unless otherwise stated. Prices for family cruises are based on a family of four sharing the cheapest suitable cabin.

Viking Cruises new ocean trips to the Caribbean started this winter, with an 11-day, roundtrip West Indies Explorer itinerary from San Juan on the Viking Star, a smallish vessel (holds 930 passengers) with an attractive, cleancut Scandinavian interior design. The itinerary is unusual in that the ship docks overnight in the old city of San Juan at its most atmospheric at night and visits an island every day: Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, Guadeloupe, St Kitts, St Maart, St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. At each port one excursion is included in the cruise fare. From 2,690 per person departing in January, 2018 (0800 319 6660; vikingcruises.co.uk).

If you do wish to spend more time in port in the Caribbean, Azamara Club Cruises places emphasis on destination immersion, with longer stays in ports, especially in the evenings. A largely off the beaten track West Indies Hideaway Voyage on the mid-sized Azamara Quest stays docked until 9pm or 11pm at Guadeloupe, Nevis, St Barts and St Maarten, for example. On chic St Barts, an Insider Access tour visits a luxury cosmetics house, and theres a complimentary Azamazing Evening featuring modern dance and opera. From 1,382 per person departing Miami on March 10 2017 and excluding flights (0844 493 4016; azamaraclubcruises.co.uk).

You are unlikely to have a more memorable time at sea in the Caribbean than on the magnificent Sea Cloud II. Noble Caledonia is chartering the three-masted barque (which has 23 sails) in February and early March 2018 for Barbados to Antigua voyages (or vice versa). The itinerary visits 13 islands, including little-frequented gems such as Bequia and volcanically active Montserrat (at many stops you need to take a tender to get ashore). The voyages theme is the golden age of the Royal Navy (1750-1815): a historian provides lectures and insights, and sights include Nelson-related places on Nevis, where the admiral met and married Fanny Nisbet. A 13-night cruise costs from 7,295 per person including excursions (020 7752 0000; noble-caledonia.co.uk).

Celebrity Cruises runs Chef s Market Discoveries excursions on the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and St Maarten (from $199/160 per person). Passengers accompany a chef from the ship on a visit to a market, sample local food in a restaurant and, back on board, get a tour of the ships galley and dine on island-inspired dishes. On Antigua, you can also book an excursion that visits the home of alocal chef for a cookery lesson and meal. A seven-night round-trip Southern Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Summit costs from 1,739 per person departing April 1 2017. From San Juan the ships stops at Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia and St Maarten.

Seabourn offers explorations of the uncommon Caribbean aboard its luxurious vessels. A Caribbean In-Depth itinerary on Seabourn Odyssey (450 passengers) takes a meandering route, round-trip from Barbados. Tenders are used to get ashore to smaller islands rarely visited by other cruise ships. These include Mayreau and Bequia in the idyllic Grenadines and the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, which can lay claim to some of the finest beaches in the region. Excursions are unusual too, ranging from Seabourns popular Caviar in the Surf beach barbecue, to kayaking through the mangroves in Guadeloupe. A 14-day Exotic Caribbean In-Depth itinerary departing on April 1 2017 costs from 5,399 per person (0843 373 2000; seabourn.com).

Disney Cruise Line is arguably the best option for a Caribbean cruise for families with younger children. Besides the numerous Disney characters to befriend on board passengers can expect highquality shows and entertainment and stimulating kids clubs. There are cruises that visit Castaway Cay, Disneys private island playground in the Bahamas; and you can sail from Port Canaveral, just an hours drive from Walt Disney World (cruise/stay packages possible). On sailings from Port Canaveral on Disney Fantasy there is a Star Wars Day at Sea think Jedi training sessions and a Star Wars-themed deck party with fireworks. A seven-night western Caribbean cruise on Disney Fantasy, visiting Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Castaway Cay, costs from 1,749 per person departing January 6 2018 (0800 169 0742; disneyholidays. co.uk).

Royal Caribbeans Harmony of the Seas began sailing the Caribbean this winter. Able to carry 6,780 passengers, it is the worlds biggest cruise ship. Family fun comes in the form of Ultimate Abyss (the 10-storey drop makes it the tallest slide at sea), a trio of water slides, a surf simulator and zip wire, a fairground carousel, climbing wall, ice rink and much else besides. Sailings are from Fort Lauderdale year round on seven-night itineraries, most stopping at Royal Caribbeans private beach resort of Labadee in Haiti, likely to be the favourite port of call for families. A seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise calling at St Maarten, San Juan and Labadee costs from 1,787 per person departing August 26 2017 (0844 493 4005; royalcaribbean.co.uk).

For a keenly priced cruise with a fun-filled American ambience, consider Carnival. Entertainment on Carnival Vista, the newest ship in the fleet, includes the first Imax theatre at sea, SkyRide (a pedalpowered aerial bike) and a Dr Seuss-themed library. The 24-hour Family Harbour Lounge is equipped with board and video games. The ship operates out of Miami year round, making it convenient for a summer holiday break. A six-night western Caribbean cruise visiting Jamaicas Ocho Rios, plus Grand Cayman and Cozumel on the Yucatan Peninsula, costs from 1,499 per person (999 children) through Virgin Holidays Cruises. Departs on August 18 2017 and includes two nights b&b in South Beach, Miami (0344 488 3084; virginholidayscruises.co.uk).

Hikes through rainforest-draped interiors are possible on a number of Caribbean islands, but with limited time ashore this can be tricky to arrange yourself. Ramblers Cruise & Walk programme features walks (rated generally moderate in difficulty) on several islands which are led by a local guide in each port. A two-week trip from Barbados on Fred Olsens mid-sized ship, Braemar, visits nine of the Lesser Antilles. Walking highlights include the Millet Trail on St Lucia (a prime spot for sighting rare parrots), the Valley of the Giants rainforest on St Kitts and a climb up Signal Hill on Antigua for panoramic views. A 16-night Islands of the Caribbean holiday costs from 4,195 per person, including walks and departing December 20 2017 (01707 386767; ramblersholidays.co.uk/cruise-and-walk).

With British cruisers firmly in mind Thomson is a good bet for affordable cruiseand-stay packages. The company uses its own ships and charter flights and offers a choice of Caribbean departure ports Barbados, Jamaica and, new for winter 2017/18, La Romana in the Dominican Republic. A Coral Islands itinerary from La Romana on the mid-sized Thomson Celebration takes in some of the loveliest parts of the eastern Caribbean, stopping at rainforest-coated Dominica and the sophisticated Gallic outpost of Martinique, plus the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Barbados. A 14-night holiday combining a sevennight cruise with a weeks all-inclusive stay at the new, upmarket Sensatori Resort Punta Cana costs from 2,105 per person departing on December 13 2017 (0871 230 2800; thomson.co.uk/cruise).

Norwegian Escape, the newest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet operates Caribbean cruises year round, from Miami. With over two dozen places to drink and eat on board, including a brew pub, a stylish wine bar and Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville at Sea, plus good Broadway-style shows, the ship is a good option for those whose priority is having fun in contemporary surroundings. A (light-on-sightseeing) seven-night western Caribbean cruise stops at the Yucatn in Mexico, Honduras and Harvest Caye Norwegians new resort-style port in Belize, which has a private white-sand beach and a shallow lagoon for watersports and manatee viewing. The Western Caribbean cruise including two nights at a four-star hotel in Miami (nine nights total) costs from 1,499 per person departing on August 31 2017 booked through Iglu Cruise (020 3553 2592; iglucruise.com).

If you want a longer Caribbean cruise consider a no-fly voyage that incorporates transatlantic sea crossings instead. Saga Cruises, rated Best Small Cruise Line by readers in the most recent Telegraph Travel Awards, is offering a 32-night Murder Mystery in the Caribbean cruise in January 2018, round-trip from Southampton. As well as 20 days at sea on the intimate, 720-passenger Saga Sapphire, the ship visits eight Caribbean islands, including Guadeloupe, setting for the BBC TV series Death in Paradise, where passengers can tour locations used for filming. Talks continue on board, where there is a murder mystery evening. Saga includes home-to-port transfers, tipping and selected drinks in its cruise fare. From 5,621 per person, departing on January 21 2018 (0800 505030; saga. co.uk/cruises).

Star Clippers offers Cubanfocused itineraries on the 170-passenger Star Flyer, a graceful, fully rigged tall ship fitted with teak decks and mahogany rails. The cruises run Havana to Cienfuegos, or vice versa for winter 2017/2018; on-board overnight stays have been added in the cities at the start and end. En route you stop at several islands in the Canarreos archipelago off Cubas south-west coast for swimming, watersports and barbecue lunches on idyllic beaches; on the Isla de la Juventud you can also visit a chilling former prison complex where Fidel Castro was held in the Fifties. The trips also encompass the Cayman Islands. Ten nights from Havana to Cienfuegos in January 2018 costs from 2,085 per person, excluding flights (0845 200 6145; starclippers.co.uk).

For a more mainstream and affordable Cuban cruise, consider Celestyal Cruises. The 1,200-passenger Celestyal Crystal is now operating out of Havana year-round. After a night moored at Cubas capital, the ship sails to idyllic Punta Frances beach on Isla de la Juventud, then Cienfuegos. From here there is an excursion to Trinidad, one of Cubas most attractive colonial towns, before the ship heads to Jamaica for a day at Montego Bay. Santiago de Cuba, the countrys musically rich second city, is the final stop, before a day at sea returning to Havana along the islands north coast. A weeks trip in late June 2017 costs from 2,079 per person, including four additional nights in a hotel in Havana booked through The Holiday Place (020 7625 0660; holidayplace.co.uk).

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Cruises - Telegraph.co.uk