Barbados & West Indies luxury Silversea cruise

Pass a leisurely day by the pool or explore the island at your own pace. A couple of spots to visit are Enterprise Beach and Oistins fishing village, where locals and visitors come together for fresh seafood and live music. Or visit St Nicholas Abbey, a 17th-century plantation house, for a tour of the house and rum tasting.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and take in the relaxing scenery before joining a shared catamaran cruise along Barbados' southern coast. Along the way, you'll make stops to swim and snorkel, and enjoy a buffet lunch and open bar.

This morning you’ll say goodbye to Little Arches as your private driver transfers you to Bridgetown. You might wander the boardwalk where bright buildings overlook the waterfront, or stroll to Carlisle Bay, a stretch of powder-soft sand where shipwrecks are scattered just below the turquoise waters. Make your way to board your Silversea cruise, where your butler can help you settle into your suite. As the ship sets sail under starry skies, you might enjoy a nightcap in the Panorama Lounge.

Bequia’s natural marina will greet you on arrival. The island is just seven miles long and home to only 6,000 residents. You might like to join an open-air 4X4 tour, which takes in Port Elizabeth’s rum shacks, Hamilton Fort, and views of Mustique in the distance. After an active morning, you could unwind with a massage at the ship’s spa, or with caviar and live piano music in the Venetian Lounge.

Your next stop is Fort-de-France in French-speaking Martinique. The day’s activities are designed to give you a deeper understanding of the island. You could learn to cook Creole with chef Julien Fournet, or discover indigenous flora as you kayak through mangroves. We suggest spending a morning in Saint Pierre, which was buried by ash when Mont Pelée erupted in 1902. Your guide will lead you on a tour of the ruins and to Balata Church, a mini-replica of the Sacré-Coeur perched on a hilltop with views of the bay below.

Your ship is docked this morning at Deshaies, a sheltered harbour village in Guadeloupe. Home to unspoilt beaches, tropical rainforests, and waterfalls, there’s plenty to see, and your specialist will help you select activities that appeal most. You might like to immerse yourself in Guadalupe’s natural beauty with a guided hike along the Grande Plaine River to Aqua Rando Canyon. Here you’ll have the chance to try canyoning, descending into the riverbed with a series of jumps and slides, concluding with a refreshing waterfall swim.

Today you’ll wake up in Gustavia, Saint Barts, the hilly island of red-roofed houses named in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. Beauty is what marks this volcanic island above all else, and you can take in the many panoramic views on a guided tour of its bays, beaches, and villages. For an alternative perspective, venture underwater in a semi-submersible submarine to spot green turtles and the wreck of an island freighter. Or, take the opportunity to go diving. The dive sites are frequented by rays, tarpon fish, young nurse sharks, and barracudas.

Arriving in St. John’s in the early morning, you can opt for breakfast on your private balcony as Antigua’s brightly painted Georgian houses come into view. Choose one of the island’s multiple beaches and simply relax for the day. Or discover Antigua's coastline on a catamaran: you’ll sail around the north coast to Great Bird Island, home to a number of endangered species. Join the expert guides for a swim in the clear waters before stopping off at another beach for a Caribbean-style lunch.

This morning you’ll watch Saint Lucia’s mountain peaks come into view as you sail into Castries. You might like to cruise the coast to Marigot Bay by speedboat, or ride a gondola through the rainforest canopy to search for the Saint Lucia parrot. For the more adventurous, get a sense of the magnitude of the Pitons on a helicopter tour. Back on board, you have eight dining venues to choose from, including the Poolside Grill, where you can cook your own dishes on volcanic lava stones.

Today you’ll disembark your Silversea cruise in Bridgetown. You’ll be transported to the airport by your private driver in time for your international flight home.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.