Trade in your mittens and mulled wine for beach casual and coquito (Caribbean eggnog) on this best-of-all-things holiday cruise to the southern Caribbean. Begin with the delightfully Dutch ABC islands – Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire – a wonderland of pastel colonial buildings, pink flamingos, and yoga-posing divi divi trees. Develop your ear for Papiamento, a language unique to the ABC islands, as you relax at a seaside café, and dive into the marine park surrounding Bonaire where tropical fish flicker and flash among the coral like so many Christmas lights. It’s the perfect lead-up to your Christmas Eve arrival on Grenada, the Spice Island. This is the best time of year for weather as the trade winds gently blow the humidity away and carry scents that evoke the holidays – nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, vanilla and more. Breathe in the beauty and atmosphere at a mouthwatering Signature Onboard Barbecue by the pool and rest up for a full day in port on Christmas with a late evening departure. Taste nutmeg ice cream, a favorite here any time of year, and locally made chocolates infused with spices and tropical flavors. But be sure to save room for the chef’s special holiday menus, and don’t miss the crew talent show and other onboard celebrations. Over the next few days, discover the Caribbean of old on tiny and low-key Mayreau, where a secluded beach is yours for a private Signature Beach Party, and on similarly blissful Bequia. End your cruise in delightfully British Bridgetown with its enticing blend of historic, natural, and cultural attractions.