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The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world as a result of its ship-friendly multi-island form, glorious year-round sunshine and laidback ambience. Antigua is perhaps one of the most visited Caribbean cruise stops and for good reason - the island is home to no fewer than 365 beaches and a plethora of historical and cultural attractions. Signs of habitation dating back to 2400 BC have been found on the island, which saw rapid economic and cultural growth from the late 17th century onwards when Sir Christopher Codrington visited Antigua to see whether it would be able to support a full-scale sugar industry. Some of the main activities available on the island - apart from sunbathing, of course - include golfing, fishing, kayaking, boating, cricket, tennis, hunting, riding and windsurfing. If you end up wandering around the streets of St John's - the main town in Antigua - you will find much to see in the form of colonial architecture, the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine, the Antigua and Barbuda Museum and Redcliffe Quay, among other attractions. Other Antigua sights include the Harmony Hall art gallery, the historic Nelson's Dockyard district and Shirley's Heights, as well as the Antigua Black Pineapple fields. Smaller sister island Barbuda is the perfect destination for a day or overnight excursion and is particularly well-suited to those seeking a large dose of peace and quiet. This sleepy little island offers attractions such as the Frigate Bird Colony, Castle Hill, Bryant Cave, Highland Hill and Martello Tower, as well as a number of pink and white sand beaches and several intriguing shipwrecks. If you're planning your cruise to Antigua to coincide with specific events, the Antigua Carnival is the most well-known and the most exciting on the calendar. The ten-day August festival is packed with music, colour, food and drink and offers a fascinating insight into local culture in this particular corner of the Caribbean. Other top events include Sailing Week in the spring and Antigua's Independence Day celebrations - which includes a ceremonial parade and a food fair - in November, as well as a host of regattas and yacht shows. Virgin Holidays Cruises is the place to book a Caribbean cruise and to find cruises with a range of companies including Royal Caribbean. Virgin Holidays Cruises is here to bring the UK a fresh and exciting perspective to cruising. It's about tailor making cruises to suit everyone. Whether you've cruised before and fancy yourself as a bit of a pro, or if you're new to cruises and need a little advice, Virgin Holidays Cruises' Cruise Specialists can help you to find the perfect cruise holiday.
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