Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from Philipsburg - 118834

Sint Maarten with its capital Philipsburg is the smaller, Dutch part of the magical Caribbean island peacefully shared by the Netherlands and France since 1648. The Dutch part of the island is one of the most popular shopping and holiday destinations in the Caribbean. In Philipsburg alone there are more than 500 shops in the pastel-coloured Dutch style where tourists can buy luxury goods at up to 50% less than the standard retail price. The best place to experience real Caribbean atmosphere is at the Saturday market in the capital. Sights include: the zoo, the Philipsburg Museum, the fort at Great Bay Harbour, the casino and the beaches.

Over 13 km long and with a population of 2,500, Virgin Gorda is the third-largest of the British Virgin Islands and a popular destination for yachtsmen and nature lovers. Virgin Gorda's greatest attraction (apart from the picturesque island capital of Spanish Town, which has an almost West-Indian feel to it) are the spectacular rock formations the "Natural Baths" - huge blocks of granite that surround the sandy bays in the South-West of the island and which are transformed into natural pools at low tide.

Gustavia is the capital of St. Barth's, one of the Lesser Antilles Islands. The island belonged to Sweden for a spell during the 18th century and the town is named after the king at that time, Gustav III. Gustavia is characterised by its low stone and wooden houses. The many exclusive boutiques and tax-free luxury shops are the perfect place for a spot of shopping. In the evening, people congregate in the many restaurants and bars of the bustling town centre. Sights include: "Wall House", the historical museum of Saint Barth and the old bell tower. From Fort Gustave you can enjoy a fantastic view of the whole island.

Charleston is the largest town on the volcanic island of Nevis, which is part of the western chain of the Leeward islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Even today, this port radiates the old-fashioned charm of the West-Indian colonial islands. Charlestown has the best shopping amenities on the island and restaurants serving a range of true culinary delights. Sights include: the palm-lined picture-postcard beach, Pinney's Beach, the Cotton Ginnery Complex shopping mall, the Bathhouse with hot sulphur springs and a hot spring.

St. John's is the capital and the only deep-sea port in the mini-state of Antigua and Barbuda in the North-East Caribbean. Clear water and hundreds of beaches with fine sands surround the town. Since visitors can shop duty-free on the island, there are a large number of fashion boutiques, electronics shops and jewellers not far from the harbour at Heritage Quay. Traditional hand-crafted items, straw dolls, masks and exotic colourful fashion is on sale in what was once the slave district. The building that once housed the British colonial court is now home to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda with artefacts from the colonial era and the time of the slave trade. On a hill overlooking the town sits St. John's Cathedral with its two large Georgian bell towers. The plantations in the surrounding area grow mainly sugar-cane.

Soufrière is the second-largest town on the island of St. Lucia. The deep-sea port is located on the foothills of two extinct volcanoes, the Pitons, which are St. Lucia's most famous sights. Soufrière is a collection of colourful houses with arcades at the edge of the rainforest before which little fishing boats lie at the beach. On Saturdays the weekly market is held on the beach promenade. There are lots of small shops on the main street and at the church square. A restored colonial house and a parish church made of huge, dark grey bricks with an open wooden roof truss are worth a visit. The road from Soufrière to Fond St. Jacques runs through dense rainforest to the East and leads to the spectacular diamond waterfalls, the Botanic Gardens, sulphur springs and the "Drive-in Volcano", which can be viewed from the inside.

Bequia (pronounced Bekwe) in the South of the Grenadine Island of St. Vincent is the largest island in the group at 18 km². The friendly town with a population of 5,000 lives by the traditions of ship-building and fishing. Bequia was once home to whalers. Its residents still have the reputation of being the best shipbuilders in the world. Sights include: the old whaling station and the turtle farm, the oldest botanic garden in the Western world and the fish market.

Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados. This city, with a population of 6,700 lies at the South coast of the country. Tourists will find a huge range of shopping options and an exciting nightlife at the ultra-modern port facility of this idyllic little town. Bridgetown has a historic synagogue, built by Brazilian Jews in 1627, shortly after the founding of the British colony. A variety of water sports are on offer at the beaches at Dover, Rockley and Needhams Point.