7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise

Charlotte Amalie is one of the world’s most beautiful harbors; blue waters peppered with sailboats and green hills dotted with quaint little cottages make for post-card perfect brags. Just outside the lively port town, you’ll find ribbons of powdery sand beaches dotted with hammocks. Cruise to St. Thomas and explore colonial landmarks like Blackbeard’s Castle or raise a pint of the local lager at quaint microbreweries. And when it’s time to fuel up, you’ll find plenty of beachside bars serving conch fritters, johnnycakes, and coconut patties. St. Thomas may technically be part of the U.S., but with its colorful markets, unspoiled beaches, and the ever-present sound of steel drums, you’ll feel a world away.

Antigua has a beach for every day of the year— literally. But the island experience goes beyond 365 distinct ribbons of white sand and clear waters. In the capital city of St. John's, you’ll discover charming candy-colored architecture, lively markets, and a beautiful baroque cathedral. And smiling locals greet you everywhere you go. On the southern coast, you can explore Nelson’s Dockyard, a centuries-old British naval base built by Admiral Horatio Nelson. Past Antigua’s yacht-studded coastline, you’ll find upscale boutiques, wild forest trails, hidden coves, and coral reefs bustling with tropical fish. But the best way to really see the island is from up above, so cruise to Antigua and hop into a helicopter for a panoramic look at lush jungles, golden beaches, and the nearby volcanic island, Montserrat.

Fort-de-France is the largest city in the French West Indies— and it has personality to match. Life here is vibrant and fast-paced, and the culture is as colorful as the brightly painted shops that line the city’s cobblestone streets. Cruise to Martinique and visit the 17th century Fort St. Louis park in La Savane for a taste of local history. Or stop by the Cathedrale St. Louis, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. If it’s beaches you’re after, Plage Anse d’Arlet is one of the island’s best. The sand here is golden, and the beach is dotted with plenty of bars and French-Caribbean fusion restaurants perfect for seaside snacks.

If variety is the spice of life, then Grenada is the taste of the tropics. The intoxicating aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves fill the air wherever you go. Take your pick of 45 sun-kissed beaches to lounge on, or hit the jungle-covered mountain range for more rugged adventures. Stroll through the 125-year-old Sendall Tunnel to reach the Carenage waterfront promenade. Cruise to Grenada and grab a seat at an open-air café and admire the steep streets lined with colonial buildings and colorful 18th-century warehouses. And holding true to its nickname of Spice Island, you’ll find several spice plantations and estates here too.

Secluded white sand beaches lapped by sparkling waters, vibrant coral reefs, and hiking trails through lush, emerald jungles — St. Vincent and the Grenadines embody what most people think of when picturing the perfect Caribbean getaway. Kingstown, St. Vincent’s capital and main port, is a beautiful place to kick off your exploration of the main island’s many wonders. With its beautiful botanical gardens, charming 19th-century churches, lively produce market and rainforest rambles, it has plenty to keep you busy in between beach breaks.