Colourful colonial streets, Spanish forts and a lively Caribbean atmosphere make San Juan a captivating cruise stop. Wander the pastel-hued lanes of Old San Juan, savour local flavours and rum, or head beyond the city for golden beaches and lush rainforest scenery. With its blend of history, music and sunshine, this vibrant port offers an unforgettable island welcome.

Jost Van Dyke is a tiny Caribbean island of turquoise water, white sand, and palm-lined beaches. Drop your shoes, swim in crystal-clear teal seas, snorkel among colorful fish, and relax at White Bay's beach bars. A short climb to Majohnny Hill reveals the island's beauty, while Bubbly Pool offers a natural jacuzzi. Known as a low-key celebrity hideaway, it's famous for rustic beach bars like Foxy's, where rum cocktails and cold beers fuel the party spirit.

Gustavia, St Barthelemy's capital, is a chic Caribbean harbor town of red roofs, yachts, boutiques, bars, and French flair. From the lighthouse, you can gaze over waters loved by celebrities and divers. The island was first named by Columbus in 1493, later a Swedish colony, and returned to France in 1878; its heritage remains at Fort Karl above Shell Beach. Nearby are shell-strewn shores, turquoise waters, and quiet gems like Colombier Beach-ideal for a sunset rum cocktail.

St. Kitts is a lush volcanic island of crystal-clear Caribbean waters, reefs, white-sand beaches, rainforests, and a laid-back "limin" vibe. Explore vine-tangled trails, snorkel or dive with turtles and wrecks, or ride Basseterre's scenic sugar train through unspoiled landscapes. In Basseterre, see the Berkeley Memorial and Independence Square, and visit Brimstone Hill Fortress, the "Gibraltar of the West Indies," a UNESCO World Heritage Site with sweeping coastal views.

Martinique, the largest Windward Island, lies 4,261 mi (6,817 km) from Paris but feels distinctly French with West Indian flair. Its cuisine blends French and Creole influences. The island is lush with tropical flowers, fruit trees, banana and pineapple fields, sugarcane, mountains, and rain forest. Hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, tanning, and duty-free shopping are popular, and cruises often visit St-Pierre, buried by ash from Mont Pelée's 1902 eruption.

Grenada, the "Isle of Spice," blends lush scenery and rich flavor: nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa fill the air at St George's market, while jungled hills, rainforest waterfalls, banana and cocoa groves, and the Grand Etang caldera showcase its fertile interior. The capital features a charming waterfront of Georgian buildings and terracotta roofs, and the coast offers white-sand beaches, turquoise seas, Grand Anse, and hidden palm-fringed coves. Enjoy it all with a local spiced rum punch.

Bonaire's small, tidy capital, Kralendijk, is 5 minutes from the airport. Main streets-J. A. Abraham Boulevard/Kaya Grandi, Kaya L. D. Gerharts, and waterfront Kaya C. E. B. Hellmund-hold most shops, boutiques, restaurants, supermarkets, piers, and Ft. Oranje. The produce market sells fresh Venezuelan produce; cruise ships arrive Dec-Apr. Get the tourist-office brochure for a map.

Willemstad, capital of Curaçao, is famed for its brightly painted, UNESCO-listed waterfront and Dutch colonial architecture. Set around the narrow Sint Anna Bay channel and Schottegat harbor, it features Rif Fort, the 1888 Queen Emma Bridge linking Otrobanda and Punda, a floating market, the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, and the historic distillery. Curaçao's beaches are "dushi": sandy, turquoise, and great for snorkeling with fish and sea turtles.

Stroll colourful Oranjestad, Aruba's capital, and enjoy some of the Caribbean's sunniest shores: white sands, gentle waves and divi divi trees. Swim, snorkel or dive in warm waters, or take a catamaran or submarine out further. Inland, see Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and Aruba's Natural Bridge site, where Baby Bridge remains. Hooiberg rises above the island; climb its 650 steps for views to Venezuela. Shop boutiques and local crafts, then try Aruba's Dutch, Asian and Caribbean fusion cuisine.

Colourful colonial streets, Spanish forts and a lively Caribbean atmosphere make San Juan a captivating cruise stop. Wander the pastel-hued lanes of Old San Juan, savour local flavours and rum, or head beyond the city for golden beaches and lush rainforest scenery. With its blend of history, music and sunshine, this vibrant port offers an unforgettable island welcome.