Wind Spirit, Antilles Adventures ex St Maarten to Bridgetown

14 Night Cruise sailing from St Maarten to Bridgetown aboard Wind Spirit.

Highlights of this cruise:

Bridgetown
Barbados is an ideal Caribbean destination, whether you want to bake in the sun or spend your time discovering island life and culture.

The beaches along the West and South coasts are lovely. Because they're open to the public, though, they lack the privacy some visitors may seek. Elsewhere on the island, linked by almost 900 miles of good roads, are small villages, historic plantation houses, stalactite-studded caves, a wildlife preserve, and the Andromeda Gardens, one of the most attractive small tropical gardens in the world. Culturally, Barbados has retained a very British atmosphere: Afternoon tea is a ritual, cricket is the national passion, and a few luxury hotels request a jacket and tie at dinner.

But Barbados is true blue Caribbean as well, with classic sand beaches, and wild monkeys in the jungle.

St Maarten
St. Maarten is one of the most rewarding stops for a cruise-ship passenger. The island is divided between French St. Martin in the north and Dutch St. Maarten in the south. Each side manages to retain its own distinct flavor.

The French side (St. Martin), is certainly more relaxed and sophisticated. There are first-class resorts and secluded white sand beaches. Its capital, Marigot, is Mediterranean resort-like, with yachts in the harbor, and open-air markets and shops lining the waterfront. A bit to the north, Grand Case is known for the island's best restaurants.

The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is a lively destination of white sand beaches, casinos, historical sites, shopping venues and lot of nightlife. Most ships dock in Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten. Its two main streets, Frontstreet and Backstreet, are bustling thoroughfares lined with shops and restaurants.

Pigeon Island
St. Lucia is an island in the Windward chain, between Martinique and St. Vincent, and (160 km) due west of Barbados. Pigeon Island, at the very northwest tip of St. Lucia has beautiful white-sand beaches and offers a variety of water sports.

Once home to a group of Carib Indians and later a pirate hideout, today Pigeon island is part of the St. Lucia National Trust, with beaches, a restaurant, and the historic remains of the barracks and garrisons where the French and English once fought for control of St. Lucia. The history of the island can be discovered at the Museum and Interpretive Centre, housed in the restored British officers' mess building. A hike up to the hilltop ruins of Fort Rodney gives sweeping views of the sea and the mainland.