The smile is back on the face of the Caribbean.
In September and October the islands in the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea were devastated by a double hit of the power of Hurricane Irma followed by the force of Maria.
Twelve out of the 32 Northern Caribbean Islands were slammed by the violence of the storms. Barbuda was worst hit with 90 per cent of the island destroyed.
Paradise was pummelled.
So it was with a feeling of guilt that we set off on our 14-day P&O Caribbean cruise in November with islands still cleaning up and coming to terms with the destruction.
It didn’t seem right to be holidaying in an area that had endured so much heartache and pain.
A glance pre-cruise at the Caribbean Is Open website did put our minds at ease with the prime minister of St Lucia writing: ‘Your visit to our islands is more important now than ever. By coming to the Caribbean you will be contributing to our assistance to our fellow islands who are still recovering’.
If any extra assurance was needed it was provided by our guide and coach driver Eustace on our stop-off in St Kitts.
He was driving us to pick up our scenic railway train that made the 18-mile tour around the island.
In his deep, rich Caribbean drawl Eustace approached any obstacle with the saying: “C’mon guys, you’ll be fine.”
The catchphrase caught on with his passengers and it summed up the mood of the resilient Caribbeans in the wake of one of the worst hurricane seasons they’d suffered.
Our trip began at 6am on a freezing cold morning at Stockport station (we had to catch our flight from Birmingham International).
Warming our hands around two cups of coffee in the dark it was hard to imagine later in the day we’d be supping ice cold cuba libre and mojito cocktails in near 90 degree heat on board PO’s magnificent Azura ship, or floating hotel more to the point, docked in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The luxury of not seeing your suitcases again after checking into the airport on departure, being bussed from the tarmac in Barbados to the ship and not having to go through the chaos of the luggage carousel seemed like a dream.
The cases turn up in your cabin and you’re good to go. Shorts, T-shirts and flip flops on, jumpers and coats in the back of the wardrobe.
We have always been very much against disrupting the English calendar. Summer was summer etc and once the clocks went back we were not SAD (seasonal affective disorder) people.
Sunshine in November was a new adventure. Once we got over welcomes in docks with Christmas trees and steel bands playing Silent Night and Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, we embraced winter in the heat.
PO’s Azura ship has something for everyone.
If you want to party you can party. If you want peace and quiet you can have it. Your home for a fortnight is so big there are areas that cater for all tastes.
Likewise when it comes to eating.
Caribbean, Chinese, Indian and Mediterranean evenings in the buffet restaurants ensure variety or you can have waiter silver service in the more upmarket restaurants. You can also pay that bit extra for even more stylish eateries. It’s a dining mix and match.
P&O is celebrating its 180th anniversary and its perfected the art.
Entertainment, too, is eclectic. Catering for the tastes of 3,000 passengers is a tough ask. But the programme of entertainment on deck, around the ship and in the theatres and bars is diverse.
You don’t actually have to disembark to enjoy your holiday. But when you are in the Caribbean it would be rude not to.
Having enjoyed previous cruises in the Med and Adriatic and being able to stop off and sightsee around the likes of Rome, Barcelona, Venice and Dubrovnik, a Caribbean jaunt is very much a beach adventure.
There are excursions to take in some of the history of the islands, but a cruise in the West Indies and Leeward Islands is showcasing the magnificent beaches.
Our cruise took in Antigua, the Dominican Republic, St Kitts, Guadalope, St Lucia, Martinique, Grenada and St Vincent.
Particular favourites were the Antiguan beach at Coconut Grove and Grenada was a huge hit with its stretch of white sand at Grand Anse beach. A little tip there is to get the water taxi over from St George’s harbour to the beach but, if you want peace and tranquility, don’t park yourself on the stretch of beach where they cram the sunbeds for the disembarking cruise passengers, walk literally two minutes down the shore line and you can sunbathe on your own. Idyllic.
With so many ports of call you don’t get over long on any of the islands but it’s a taste of the Caribbean and we certainly got the taste for it.
Eustace was right - we were fine!
P&O Cruises is offering a 14 night cruise on Azura (A804) from £1,299 per person for a inside cabin. The price includes flights from selected UK airports, kids’ clubs, full board meals and entertainment on board. Departing from and returning to Barbados ports of call are Antigua, St. Kitss, Grand Turk, Amber Cover, Martinique, Pointe a Pitre, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. To book, visit the P&O website, call 0843 373 0111 or visit your local travel agent.
