LONDON, December 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Caribbean cruises are the stuff dreams are made of and with the range of cruise deals available these days, that dream can easily become a reality.

The region is made up of a scattering of idyllic islands each with their own character, history, tradition and feel. So before you book your cruise of a lifetime, check out Thomas Cook's top destinations for Caribbean cruises:

Grand Cayman

If you want white sandy beaches, cocktails and a laid-back holiday then Grand Cayman is for you. It's the largest of Cayman Islands but with a population of just over 50,000 there is a friendly and laid back atmosphere with the locals who are only too pleased to help those visiting their homeland.

If you manage to tear yourself away from the beach then it's worth checking out the island's weird and wonderful wildlife and plants. A visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Gardens will let you encounter everything from wild banana orchids to giant sea turtles.

The Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas makes regular visits with their reputation for luxury making it one of the most popular options.

Barbados

Perhaps the most well known of the group of islands, Barbados has it all. Despite its relatively large size it still has the same laid back feel as other Caribbean hot spots.

The capital, Bridgetown, is the hub with good links to other parts of the island. Before you go exploring, check out some of the fantastic seafood restaurants in the old town - you won't be disappointed!

When it comes to beaches, there is nowhere like Barbados with literally hundreds of white sandy beaches waiting for you.

Many liners visit the popular island with P&O Ventura being one of the most frequent visitors.

Rotan

Rotan is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands. It has the pristine beaches, great seafood, classy cocktail bars and luxury hotels like the rest but where the island really stands out is with its wildlife.

The crystal blue waters allow you to see the weird and wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the local waters while the Marine Park is the place to head for daily diving and scuba trips.

Aruba

Dutch owned Aruba is situated in the southern Caribbean Sea. Its crystal waters and white sandy beaches are much like the hundreds of others in the area but it excels in the architecture of its towns.

The Dutch influence is particularly evident in the capital Oranjestad with some parts looking more like European Amsterdam than the Caribbean.