| It still feels like winter in most of the U.S. Now through | | | | from the shore to peaks that reach almost 5,000 feet. |
| Spring is a terrific time to cruise the warm-weather | | | | The blue-green peaks are carpeted with rain forests |
| islands of the Eastern Caribbean. | | | | and exotic vegetation, and host more than 135 species |
| The Eastern Caribbean is my favorite part of the | | | | of birds. This is not the island for all-inclusive resorts or |
| islands. The region offers a wide choice of | | | | shopping. |
| ports-of-call. Plus there's a bonus. Lots of small, | | | | Grenada - The Spice Island, as Grenada is known, has |
| unknown islands populate the waters. In fact, not being | | | | air filled with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg. |
| able to see an island from the ship rarely happens. | | | | Bananas, ginger, vanilla and virtually every herb of the |
| The Eastern islands are less developed and | | | | tropics are grown here. The mountain forests, kept |
| commercialized than their Northern Caribbean brethren. | | | | lush green by cascading waterfalls, accommodate 450 |
| Their topography is divided into mountainous rain | | | | species of flowering plants and 150 species of birds. |
| forests and lush green valleys. Beaches are pristine | | | | Guadeloupe - Guadeloupe is a study in contrasts. Its |
| white with coral reefs at their edge. Cascading rivers | | | | butterfly shape makes it almost two islands connected |
| and turquoise blue sea comprise the waters inland and | | | | by a short land bridge, with Pointe-A Pitre, the center |
| off the beach, respectively. The islands are | | | | of commerce and main cruise port, barely east of the |
| mountainous and volcanic in origin. Some volcanoes still | | | | middle. Grand-Terre, the eastern wing, is a flat, dry |
| smolder to this day. The landscape is full of sharp | | | | limestone island, densely populated and highly |
| contrasts, from ragged peaks with thick rain forests to | | | | developed. Basse-Terre, the western wing, is volcanic |
| flowing meadows and pastureland. The panoramic | | | | in origin with mountains rising to 5,000 feet. Most of |
| view as the ship approaches is breathtakingly beautiful. | | | | Basse-Terre is a national park. |
| The top 10 islands and their attributes are as follows: | | | | Martinique - Beauty is the sole common denominator |
| Antigua - This island has some of the Caribbean's | | | | across this seductive paradise. Martinique's three |
| finest beaches, and lots of them. The weather is | | | | regions are apparently from different gene pools. |
| outstanding also, featuring low humidity and trade | | | | Volcanic mountains, their peaks shrouded in clouds, are |
| winds, making Antigua perfect for virtually any activity | | | | palpable in the northern sector. The central region is |
| under the warm Caribbean sun. | | | | dotted by peaks and ridges that decline into meadows |
| Barbados - This British island has a refined ambiance. | | | | of grazing cattle and sugarcane fields. The southern |
| Barbados consists of rolling green hills and is fringed by | | | | end is flat, with parched lowland bordered by beaches. |
| coral reefs. The west coast has pearly white beaches | | | | St. Barthelemy (St. Barts) - Beauty and style are the |
| and calm waters. The east side is more rugged and | | | | signatures of this island, the smallest in the French |
| pounded by white surf from the Atlantic. | | | | West Indies. This paradise has green mountains and |
| Dominica - Dominica is the island for spectacular | | | | miniature valleys overlooking two dozen gorgeous |
| natural scenery. Covered from end to end with | | | | beaches. The best hotels and restaurants tend to be |
| towering volcanic mountains, the land rises sharply | | | | fabulous but are very expensive. |