Until April, the soothing waters and gentle trade winds are at their best, burnishing that region's reputation as the world's most popular cruising area.

Cruise companies galore place their ships here, offering a broad choice of itineraries, mostly among the thousand-mile-long fish-hook-like chain of islands that stretches from just off the beaches of Florida to the coast of South America.

Most of these outcroppings are in the Leeward and Windward islands collectively known as the Lesser Antilles that stretch south from the United States and British Virgin Islands all the way to Grenada. Still farther south, only a few miles off Venezuela, are Trinidad and its smaller sister island, Tobago.

Also in the Lesser Antilles are the ABC islands -- Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao -- close to Venezuela's western shores.

Islands in the Leeward group whose names may ring a bell include Antigua, Nevis and St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, and St. Barthelemy (St. Barts). But have you heard of Anguilla, Barbuda, Dominica, Saba, or St. Eustatius?

Farther south, in the Windward chain, you'll find Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the tiny gems known as the Grenadines.

Standing alone 100 miles to the east of the Windwards, is Barbados, often called "Little England with the eternal summer."

West of the Virgins are the biggies in the Caribbean scene: Puerto Rico, Hispanola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and 700-plus-mile-long Cuba.

Between Cuba and Jamaica, and arguably noted more for offshore banking than beaches, are the Cayman Islands.

To the north in Atlantic waters are the Bahamas and the British colony of Turks and Caicos.

To help you choose among this array, following are snapshots of eight of the better-known destinations in cruise itineraries.

BARBADOS

While this easternmost Caribbean island's north and east coasts are directly in the path of the Atlantic swells, its miles of pink- and white-sand beaches are still a treasure. The capital, Bridgetown, with its Victorian-style buildings, and the national pastime -- cricket -- are reminders of its British roots, as is Trafalgar Square complete with a statue of British naval hero Lord Nelson.

GRENADA

Barely 100 miles north of Venezuela, the so-called Spice Island's fertile valleys and green mountains produce clove, cocoa, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and other favourite flavourings. Tiny St. George's, its capital, is nearly landlocked in the crater of an ancient volcano that serves as its micro harbour. Its streets snake along steep slopes with Georgian colonial buildings, frangipani and flamboyant trees. Flanking the edges of the town are old forts. Ships dock or anchor close-in and the entire town is easily explored on foot.

NASSAU

Situated on the Bahamas' New Providence Island, it's a favourite of cruise ships for, among other things, its excellent diving sites: deep blue holes, close-to-the-surface reefs, shipwrecks and sea gardens. And there's adjoining Paradise Island, with its cluster of hotels and restaurants. Popular in town is the Straw Market, where shoppers find craftsmen at work on baskets, handbags, and other woven items. Gambling aficionados flock to the Crystal Palace Resort and Casino.

PUERTO RICO

San Juan, its main city, has been called the Caribbean's most historic port and its gem is the old walled city. That treasure of five centuries of history occupies a seven-square-block area that can be walked in less than a day. Its capstone is the massive fortress El Morro. Among the many museums is the townhouse devoted to the great Spanish cellist, Pablo Casals.

ST. BARTS

More formally called St. Barthelemy, its eight square miles exude French chic. The capital of Gustavia, sitting in a sheltered harbour, has been called a dollhouse-scale port. Count on fine French cuisine and shopping, but with prices to match. Discovered by the Rothchilds and the Rockefellers in the mid-20th century, this posh paradise has been called the darling of the jet set. Visitors can rent a mini moke (small jeep) to visit the island's beaches which, in the French fashion, may include toplessness.

ST. LUCIA

Fought over by the French and British, it changed hands 14 times before ending up under the Union Jack. The island's most distinctive features are its twin-pointed volcanic peaks that seem to rise right from the sea. Visitors can drive easily from the capital, Castries, for a walk through a steaming and bubbling volcanic crater and nearby tropical gardens where, it's said, Napoleon's Empress Josephine bathed in the mineral baths.

SINT MAARTIN/ST. MARTIN

This 37-square-mile split-personality outcropping offers energetic Philipsburg on the Dutch side and the sleepy St. Martin capital, Marigot, in the French portion. The Dutch town features shops all the way along its main street, while the Gallic capital blends French and Caribbean cultures with a lively market and upscale goods in European-style shops.

ST. THOMAS

The principal stopping point in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and its only city, Charlotte Amalie, is among the busiest cruise ports in the region.

When several large vessels are in port at the same time, the crowds can be daunting because of the port's reputation as a duty-free shopper's paradise. Beyond the shops are excellent restaurants and the island's natural beauty, including Magen's Bay, rated one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

For more details on the Caribbean and cruise lines servicing the area, visit the websites doitcaribbean.com or caribinfo.com.