St. Lucia is the only country in the world out of 195 total, named for a real woman. Ireland is named for the Goddess of Fertility Erie, but only the Caribbean island St. Lucia is named for a human female. She lived 283 to 304 AD in the village of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy and was named Lucia. She was crucified by Sicilian pagans at age 21 for refusing to marry. She was a Christian girl who pledged herself to God and wanted to remain virgin for Him. She wore a ring of candles around her head when leading Christians away from danger though dark tunnels under the ground in Sicily. Pagan leaders did not like young Lucia for her pious beliefs so they pierced a sword through her neck in crucifixion. More than a thousand years later on Dec.13, 1502, French sailors exploring in the Caribbean wrecked their ship on an unknown island. Fearing they were lost forever they prayed to their Catholic Saint Lucia...Giver of Light...asking her to show them a way home. In her honor they named their new found island St. Lucia. To this day, St. Lucia celebrates Dec. 13th as its national founding day. St. Lucia marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration each year with young girls who walk about wearing candles tied to wreaths upon their heads. They walk "bringing in light to begin the Christmas season." By the 1700s Sweden and Norway were celebrating Dec. 13th in the same way for the same reason. Every year on Earth the longest night is Dec. 13th.

English is spoken on all the islands you visit when taking this two week cruise, except in Martinique which speaks French. Napoleon Bonaparte arrived there in 1796 where he met and married the daughter of a powerful sugar cane planation owner. It was common knowledge how passionate they were in their love making, about the clothes they wore and wines they drank. To this day Martinique sells the best French wine, fashions and perfumes. Cruisers love shopping here and then visiting at least one of the 7 prestigious museums of France maintained on the island.

In Barbados enjoy English High Tea any afternoon at any choice of elegant hotels. Learn how Great Britain became the wealthiest country in the world from the 17th to 20th century by selling and shippings from Barbados and other Caribbean islands vast amounts of sugar cane, coffee and chocolate. Only 40 years ago did Barbados declare itself a democratic country with 300,000 citizens creating the world's newest Republic. Barbados still remains a part of Great Britain's voluntary Commonwealth of Nations comprised of 54 former British colonies which are today all independent nations. Visitors can still buy the best sugar candies, chocolate and coffee beans in Barbados to take home as gifts from this bountiful and beautiful Caribbean island.

The islands of St. Kitts and Nevis together comprise 100 square miles of lush gardens and floral growth. Their population of 48,000 people is outnumbered by 62,000 monkeys who live there too. They were brought to the islands in the 1700s by Europeans who wanted exotic pets. Chose from any number of tours to interact personally with the monkeys who live there and consider themselves full fledged citizens of the islands as well.