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Oranjestad to Bridgetown

They say you can’t please everyone, but this cruise through the Windward and ABC islands may just prove them wrong.

Those who love snorkeling and diving will be on Cloud 9 as they swim with fish and sea turtles in Tobago Cays Marine Park, Bonaire National Marine Park, and the proposed Speyside Marine Protected Area. There’s also plenty for nature lovers on land. From Man-o-War Bay, swim in a picture-perfect waterfall pool surrounded by the oldest Forest Reserve in the Western Hemisphere. Take in the Bali-like beauty of the Pitons on St. Lucia, where rainforest meets some of the healthiest coral reefs in the Caribbean. And discover Bonaire, with its stunning desert-palette motifs like pink flamingos on white salt pans.

Those who are looking for the classic Caribbean will find it in Mayreau – just 1.5 square miles with fewer than 300 inhabitants, only reachable by boat. And those who love colonial harbors can enjoy British Bridgetown with its UNESCO garrison as well as the triple Dutch treat of Kralendijk, Willemstad, and Oranjestad.

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Day 1: Oranjestad

Known for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, this Dutch port makes it easy to just … take it easy. Walk through town to choose your favorite carved wooden door, or spend the day like the Arubans do playing dominos at a beachside table.

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Day 2: Willemstad

Savor the pastel colors of the historic UNESCO site Old Town and the way the elaborate Dutch gables cut baroque curlicues from the sky. It’s the perfect appetizer for a day of watersports or an adventure below ground at the magical Hato Caves—filled with eerie limestone formations and ancient petroglyphs.

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Day 3: Kralendijk

The ice cream colors of the stucco houses will draw your lens, as will the pink flamingos on the salt pans. But you’ll need a waterproof camera to complete the portrait since more than 400 fish species and 50 types of coral wait beneath the surface

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Day 5: Soufriere

Nestled in the shadows of the UNESCO Pitons, Soufriere represents the heart and soul of St. Lucia. The tiny town center is full of street vendors and stores and some of the best resorts on the island can be found here. Nearby are secluded waterfalls and the waters here boast some of the best diving around. Sights to see include the Edmund Rainforest Trail, fond Doux Holiday plantation, Robot Estate and the Gros Piton Nature Trail.

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Day 6: Mayreau

With fewer than 300 inhabitants and miles of secluded beaches, it's easy to feel as if you're on your own private island. Saline Bay is a delightful anchorage that separates the Caribbean from the Atlantic - and a perfect place to play with some of the toys from the Watersports Platform.

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Day 7: Man-O-War Bay

Listen for the sound of a conch announcing the return of the fishing boats. Bobbing next to us are flotillas of pelicans – hinting at the excellent snorkeling waiting for you here and in neighboring Pirate’s Bay.

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Day 8: Bridgetown

Jolly old England comes to life in the city and its garrison, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Further afield, you’ll find historic sugar plantations and the fairyland magic of Harrison’s Cave.