If you've heard people complain about the Caribbean, saying it's too busy and that you are hassled from morning to night, we understand why they are saying what they are saying - they're not wrong, but to our mind they have certainly been going to the wrong islands.

To understand why others will rave about this easy-going welcoming set of islands, we recommend you take a cruise to the Southern Caribbean, where you will indeed be greeted by an easy smile, and where nobody will pressure you into buying (in fact they might just be too laid-back to sell you anything at all), and where the beautiful settings are enhanced by interesting history and amazing flora and fauna.

Islands such as St Kitts remain unspoilt and have retained their wild beauty, whilst Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke boast stunning beaches and are popular with the yachting crowd, all of which helps create a laid back and jovial atmosphere. The French charm of Martinique and Guadeloupe and the merger of Caribbean and French culture also creates a unique feel.

The beauty of a Caribbean cruise is that you can see a whole host of islands (with all their variations) without having to pack and unpack each time you arrive at a new port of call.