Picture yourself snorkeling in a secluded cove, wandering through narrow cobblestone streets, or sunbathing on a stretch of powdery white sand. In the Caribbean, it's easy: Antigua boasts a beach for every day of the year, Grand Cayman's reefs teem with underwater wonders, and Mexico's Costa Maya features quaint fishing villages and exotic Mayan ruins. Shop for perfume, fine china, and jewelry in St. Thomas's duty-free boutiques, hike through a tropical rain forest in Puerto Rico, or sway to reggae rhythms in Jamaica. The Caribbean offers thrills aplenty for the winter weary, and a cruise to the area is just the ticket for fighting a February funk. Departure cities, itineraries, and ports of call may vary, but a Caribbean cruise practically guarantees sun-kissed shores, tranquil turquoise waters, azure skies, and balmy climes. Rushing waterfalls and active volcanoes capture on-shore attention along with the spectacular beaches, awe-inspiring vistas, and tourist-friendly towns that draw visitors from all over the globe. Curaçao's Dutch windmills, afternoon tea in Barbados, and the steel-band beats of Trinidad's calypso music reflect the influences of the myriad cultures that shaped the Caribbean region. Before Columbus arrived in the New World, Carib, Taíno, and Ciboney Indians inhabited many of the islands. Spanish, Dutch, French, and British explorers sailed across the pond seeking fountains of youth and fortunes in gold and spices, dropped anchor, and established colonies. Most island populations today are descended from African slaves who worked the land for European settlers. America jumped into the mix when it annexed the commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1916, and purchased the U.S. Virgin Islands from the Danish in 1917. The end result of 500 years of exploration, invasion, and settlement: dynamic diversity on display in the music, cuisine, language, architecture, and traditions throughout the Caribbean. English is widely spoken and the U.S. dollar is often the preferred currency, but visitors will savor memories of conversations peppered with the rhythmic lilt of island patois, toe-tapping in the streets at a festive village "jump-up," or a moonlit meal infused with island flavors and served with European flair. The mind-boggling array of destinations can make it difficult to choose between islands when planning a getaway to the palm-fringed shores of the Caribbean. Cruises offer the opportunity to island-hop with ease, but you'll still have to choose between numerous enticing itineraries, and decide how many days to spend afloat on your way to paradise and back. The Eastern, Southern, and Western Caribbean itineraries are among the most popular, or you can opt for an Exotic Caribbean route or a ship-bound journey calling only at the Bahamas or Bermuda. Hankering for a respite from winter woes, but short on vacation time? A three- or four-night cruise makes a perfect weekend getaway. Other cruises range from five to 14 nights, with up to 10 ports of call. Ships depart from the major Florida ports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Cape Canaveral; other U.S. cities like New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Galveston, Texas; and Caribbean destinations like San Juan and Cancún. Many ports of embarkation are captivating places worth exploring, so consider extending your vacation for a few days before or after the cruise. The ports of call you visit will depend on the itinerary and cruise line, but how you spend the day on shore is entirely up to you. Sun yourself silly on the beach, shop for souvenirs, sample local delicacies, or see the sights. Sign up for a walking tour, gallop along the beach on horseback, or book a tee-time at a golf course with panoramic views. Schools of iridescent fish, colorful coral reefs, and underwater caverns beckon snorkelers and scuba divers, as sailors and windsurfers take to the waves above. Book excursions before setting sail or while onboard, or make your own arrangements in port. Consider teaming up with fellow passengers to save on transportation costs; taxi drivers double as excellent local guides in exchange for additional fees. Bear in mind that popular excursions fill up fast. Popular ports mean more cruise ships, and more crowds. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment, and know before you go! Making the most of your time is easy, if you're familiar with the highlights of each port. Travel guidebooks and Web sites (like our own Destination Guides) provide a wealth of destination information, and ship libraries are often stocked with relevant reference material. Highlights of some popular itineraries and ports of call are outlined below. Eastern Caribbean Droves of visitors flock to Nassau, Bahamas every year, drawn to the charms of Old Town, the soft sands of nearby Cable Beach, and a bounty of colorful markets and duty-free shops. The docks near Rawson Square can accommodate up to 11 cruise ships, making elbowroom somewhat scarce, but tourist facilities and entertainment options are plentiful, even if you have to fight the crowds. Take in the sights on foot, or hire a horse-drawn carriage for a romantic ride about town. Watch local craftsmen weave hats, shopping bags, dolls, and other souvenirs at the popular Straw Market, and marvel as fishermen unload crates of bananas, papayas, and pineapples at the Potter's Cay waterfront market. Other attractions include the Ardastra Gardens, which boasts its own flock of trained pink flamingoes, and Crystal Cay, a marine park featuring a unique underwater observation tower and nature trails that wander through lush tropical foliage. Bargain hunters can browse along Bay Street for discounted luxury items such as perfume, linen, jewelry, and fine china, and gaming enthusiasts with cash to spare can try their luck on the slot machines--the 30,000-square-foot Paradise Island Casino is equipped with 1,000 one-armed bandits. San Juan doubles as a port of call and embarkation port, and its many attractions keep the cruise ships coming back for more. Restored Spanish-colonial architecture, graceful plazas and promenades, and narrow cobblestone streets capture the charm of Old San Juan (left). Visitors can explore five centuries of history in a few hours, and still have enough time to relax on the beach or hit the casinos. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing are other popular in-port activities. St. Thomas is another favorite stop for cruise ships, and although this tiny island measures just 12 square miles, its shops and beaches pack a punch. Ships dock at Charlotte Amalie, where old-world charm meets new-world retail obsessions. Duty-free bargains abound, but according to the shopping mavens, the best deals to be had are on liquors and linens. Tear yourself away from the "ka-ching" of the cash registers and you're in for a real beach treat. The popular Limetree, Sapphire, and Brewer's Beaches offer glowing white sands, stately coconut palms, and warm waters. Snorkeling equipment and lounge chairs are available for rent at many beaches, all of which are open to the public. Western Caribbean Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula is a popular stop for Western Caribbean cruises. Ships usually dock on the island of Cozumel or across the strait in Playa del Carmen. Swaying palms and sun-drenched shores are standard along with mariachi serenades and margaritas galore, but Mayan ruins and top-notch diving are the real draw. Chichén-Itzá provides a peek into the past and wows visitors with impressive pyramids and temples. The more accessible and much-visited ruins at Tulum feature dramatic views of the Caribbean within the walls of an ancient Mayan fortress. Scuba divers from all over the world flock to Cozumel's Palancar Reef, which shelters elephant-ear sponges, black and red coral, and fish of every imaginable hue. If you've ever imagined a trip to a real-live Fantasy Island, chances are the picture in your mind resembles a postcard from Jamaica (left). Lucky for the daydream-inclined, cruise ships regularly dock in Jamaica's harbors. Most put in at Ocho Rios, on the northern coast, but Montego Bay has garnered its share of ship traffic in recent years. From Ocho Rios, don't miss Dunn's River Falls, where 600 feet of crystal-clear waters cascade through a tropical jungle onto the beach. Guides escort nimble visitors to the summit via a slippery stone staircase that winds through the waterfall, while vertigo sufferers can marvel at Mother Nature's creation from the safety of planked walkways. See how the other half lived at one of the plantation Great Houses that open their doors to tourists, like Rose Hall or Greenwood near Montego Bay. Exercise your gastronomic options with a plate of jerk chicken, or wet your whistle with a tall rum punch made from locally distilled spirits. A laid-back attitude and British manners welcome visitors to sleepy Grand Cayman Island and passengers slip ashore in George Town just long enough to hitch a ride to Seven Mile Beach. The powdery stretch of sand measures just five and a half miles from tip to toe, but who's counting? Snorkel with slippery sea creatures in "Stingray City" or view endangered green sea turtles at the Cayman Turtle Farm. Southern Caribbean Aruba's arid climate doesn't seem to deter the island's many visitors. Seven miles of sugar-white sands and calm turquoise waters set the scene for top-notch sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Sail or snorkel from Palm Beach, or stop for a tropical cocktail at one of the luxury resorts, which feature landscaped beachfront gardens and bustling 24-hour casinos. Glass-bottom boat tours and shopping are other popular activities for cruise-ship passengers disembarking at Oranjestad. Pink-tinged sands lead to crystal-clear waters on the island of Barbados (left), which boasts some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. Favorite Gold Coast sunning spots, like Payne's Bay, Brighton Beach, and Church Point, are a short drive from the cruise ship terminal near Bridgetown, and visitors can refuel or savor the shade at the many beachfront restaurants and bars. English-isms abound in this former British colony; expect to see manicured gardens, local cricket matches, and menus offering afternoon tea. Caribbean cruises feature ports of call to please any passion. Spend a lazy afternoon strolling along velvety sands, shop for handcrafted souvenirs and duty-free loot, or gamble the day away under the glare of fluorescent lights. Cruise ships and itineraries may vary, but a trip to Caribbean promises nothing less than breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, and a non-stop good time. •