With its lush, rugged scenery, prominent twin Piton peaks, tropical rainforest, the worldвЂ™s only drive-in volcano and pretty waterfalls, St Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands. Independent-minded passengers hoping to pick up their own tours at the port, like you can on other islands, will be disappointed however, as security at the port prevents this happening вЂ“ itвЂ™s best to make arrangements in advance. Of the wealth of excursions offered to cruise passegners, A Best of Barbados tour will cover much of the island, while other popular attractions include the Atlantis Submarine or a visit to the Concorde Experience to see one of the British Airways Concordes that used to fly to the island. The city itself is lively and cosmopolitan, while the islandвЂ™s pretty countryside is dotted with traditional English-style stone churches and grand old plantation houses. Its exclusive west coast is where youвЂ™ll find some of the best hotels, and best restaurants too вЂ“ The Cliff and La Mer are both easily reached for a spot of lunch, although itвЂ™s advisable to book in high season (February/March).Д¬ruise ships dock at the main port on the outskirts of the capital Bridgetown вЂ“ a 20-minute walk or five-minute taxi ride away. Probably the best-known Caribbean island, Barbados is a haunt of the rich and famous. Antigua lays claim to 365, one for every day of the year, and Dickenson Bay, just a 15 minute taxi ride from where the ships moor, is worth a visit. Discover St JohnвЂ™s bustling streets and its impressive cathedral, or try one of the islandвЂ™s many beaches. Taxi drivers, who are also qualified tour guides, gather here and offer island tours that tend to cost a lot less than cruise line excursions. The capital, St John, is where cruise ships moor up and passengers step ashore into the modern Heritage Quay pedestrianised shopping area. Antigua is one of the worldвЂ™s top sailing spots and its Sailing Week every April is well known for its races and parties. Now NelsonвЂ™s Dockyard sits proudly as the worldвЂ™s only working Georgian dockyard and has been lovingly preserved. This island boasts a rich maritime history, from when a young Horatio Nelson was based here in the 1780s. HereвЂ™s a quick guide to some of the most favoured Caribbean islands for cruisers. Stretching in an arc, southwards from Puerto Rico to Grenada, the Eastern Caribbean includes the main islands of Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia, while further south, and closest to the South American coast (just a few miles from Venezuela) are the sister islands of Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao to the west.

With 7,000 tropical islands, thereвЂ™s plenty to tempt cruise ships of all shapes and sizes to this corner of the world. Today, however, modern-day sailors on sleek yachts or passengers relaxing on the many cruise ships ply these waters, seeking riches of a different kind: the fabulous scenery, gentle trade winds and year-round warm climate have turned the Caribbean into the most popular cruising spot on the planet. With its beautiful crystal-clear waters and simply idyllic island hideaways, the Caribbean has proved irresistible to seafarers since it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century.Д®nglish, Spanish and French explorers followed in his footsteps in search of New World treasures. By Sara Macefield | If youвЂ™re in search of fabulous scenery, sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, head for the worldвЂ™s most popular cruising spot вЂ“ you wonвЂ™t fail to be impressed by the sights, sounds and colours on offer in the Eastern Caribbean.

Capital island of aruba