Sunshine and good vibes are a given in this heady region where time slows down. Our Caribbean cruises are a surefire way to discover the big-hitting destinations as well as lesser-traveled byways. Immerse yourself in the pulsing, diverse culture, learn about the region’s history, and come face to face with some curious wild creatures.

Here, the sapphire-blue sea laps white, golden, pink and even black sand (on mesmerising St. Vincent), and, of course, there’s every way imaginable to enjoy those warm waters. Try seabobbing in Barbados, catamaran skimming in St. Martin, snorkeling around shipwrecks in the Bahamas, and helmet diving along the seabed in Aruba. Enjoy the full-throttle thrill of a RIB ride around Tortola, bamboo rafting down a river in Jamaica, and clear-bottom kayaking over kaleidoscopic reefs in Grenada. Then flop on the most spectacular beaches – from the glitzy shores of St Barth’s to the sparkling black sands of Montserrat – and enjoy a barbecue lunch and a few rum punches (you can learn how to mix one at a masterclass on St Kitts).

A luxury Caribbean cruise plugs into life beyond the beach, too. Marvel at Mayan monuments carved out of sandstone in Guatemala; learn about generations-old bush remedies in Belize; and hear tales of 18th-century battles at Fortress Napoleon in Guadeloupe. Hit the shops in St. Thomas, and dine in Bermuda’s great restaurants. There’s also hiking through the clouds in biodiverse Costa Rica, walking the crater of an inactive volcano in El Salvador, off-roading to a hidden waterfall in the Dominican Republic, and enjoying a soak in Dominica’s thermal pools. Plus there are the most charming, lively cities to be discovered – from cobblestoned Cartagena to colorful Old San Juan.

Whether you fancy interacting with playful monkeys and sleepy sloths in Honduras, spotting rippling stingrays in Antigua, or tracking blue iguanas in Grand Cayman, encounters with wildlife come in all shapes and sizes here. And while on a cruise in the Caribbean, you might not even have to leave the ship to experience one – keep a close eye for the powerful splash of humpback whales off Puerto Vallarta when we reach Mexican waters.