RCI Royal Beach Club Cruise from Antigua — 11 Days

St Johns Antigua

Antigua rewards a day ashore with more than its celebrated beaches. St John’s, the compact capital, makes an easy starting point. Drive east to Nelson’s Dockyard, a remarkably preserved Georgian naval base and UNESCO World Heritage site. English Harbour’s sheltered waters and restored stone buildings reveal the island’s maritime past. Or trade history for a swim at one of the island’s many coves, from resort beaches to quieter shores.

Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe

The Îles des Saintes reward visitors who prefer a quieter Caribbean. Most calls centre on Terre-de-Haut, where pastel houses, fishing boats and cafés line a compact waterfront. Above town, Fort Napoléon surveys one of the world’s most beautiful bays and houses a small museum and botanical garden. Rent a scooter or walk to Pain de Sucre, a sheltered beach with clear water and good snorkeling. Try the island’s famed tourment d’amour, a coconut-filled pastry, before returning to the harbor.

Soufriere

Soufrière is a small town on Saint Lucia’s west coast, beneath the island’s twin Pitons. These volcanic peaks form a UNESCO World Heritage Site and shape the view from sea and shore. Visit Sulphur Springs, the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano, then stroll the Diamond Botanical Gardens to Diamond Falls. For a more strenuous day, hike Gros Piton with a guide for sweeping island views.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown rewards travelers who leave the ship and walk into Barbados’ compact capital. Its UNESCO-listed Historic Bridgetown and Garrison trace the island’s colonial history; Broad Street offers a lively glimpse of daily life. Pause beside the Careenage, where boats thread the old harbour, then browse shops for local rum and Bajan crafts. Carlisle Bay’s pale sand and clear water lie just beyond the city.

Mayreau Island

Mayreau is one of the Grenadines’ smallest inhabited islands, with a village reached by a steep road from the shore. Its appeal is quiet beaches, clear water and Salt Whistle Bay, a sheltered crescent popular with sailors. Walk uphill to the compact settlement and its Catholic church, then look across the neighboring Grenadines. For a day ashore, Mayreau rewards unhurried exploration rather than a packed itinerary.

• At Sea (At Sea)

Bequia Island

Port Elizabeth sits on Bequia’s Admiralty Bay, where fishing boats and yachts share a sheltered anchorage. Step ashore into a compact waterfront of cafés and shops, then follow the Belmont Walkway towards Princess Margaret Beach. Bequia’s boatbuilding tradition remains visible in its working yards and local craft. Come for unhurried island life, swimming in clear water and views across the Grenadines.

Saint-Pierre Martinique (Ask Travel Agent)

Deshaies, Guadeloupe

Deshaies brings you to Guadeloupe’s quieter Caribbean coast, where a fishing village curves around a small harbor. Colorful homes, waterfront cafés and fishing boats give the center an easygoing feel, best explored on foot. Just beyond town, Deshaies Botanical Garden displays tropical plants, waterfalls and birds across a hillside estate. Nearby Grande Anse offers golden sand and a broad sweep of sea; swimming conditions can vary. Spend the day among gardens, beach and village life, at an easy pace.

Gustavia St Barths, France

Gustavia makes a polished first impression, but its appeal is more than designer boutiques and superyachts. Swedish rule left its mark in the town’s name and the ruins of Fort Gustav above the harbor. From the waterfront, cafés, galleries and shops sit within easy walking distance, while Shell Beach lies just beyond the center. Come ashore for French-Caribbean style, with history close at hand.

St Johns Antigua

Antigua rewards a day ashore with more than its celebrated beaches. St John’s, the compact capital, makes an easy starting point. Drive east to Nelson’s Dockyard, a remarkably preserved Georgian naval base and UNESCO World Heritage site. English Harbour’s sheltered waters and restored stone buildings reveal the island’s maritime past. Or trade history for a swim at one of the island’s many coves, from resort beaches to quieter shores.