Pristine sand beaches and sparkling seas sum up the enduring appeal of the Caribbean, the second favourite fly-cruise destination for UK cruise passengers after the Mediterranean.

The ideal island getaway with its exotic scenery, coral reefs and laid back attitude, the tropical Caribbean has long been a desired cruise destination for those after a get away from it all holiday, particularly during the depths of the British winter.

Islands of the Caribbean

Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia are amongst the most desired destinations.

But the Caribbean is large enough to offer many different voyages, often split into Eastern, Western and Southern itineraries.

The major cruise lines even have their own private islands offering total beach relaxation and watersports for a day.

And don't believe the idea that the Caribbean islands are all the same, as they come in all varieties, each with a different influence.

Barbados has a gentile British feel while Martinique and Guadeloupe could only be French. San Juan on Puerto Rico displays a distinctly Spanish colonial style while Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao go Dutch.

Then there are the Virgin islands offering an array of excursions ranging from seaplane flights to sailing and snorkelling off St Thomas.

By visiting the Cayman Islands, you can swim with friendly stingrays or dive with dolphins off Jamaica.

Caribbean itineraries tend to start from US ports such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or from islands like San Juan or Barbados, although a growing number depart from the UK involving an enthralling transatlantic crossing possibly via the Azores.