The Caribbean has long been a popular cruise destination for British holidaymakers – but with its well-serviced routes and winter-sun appeal, it’s all too often dismissed as little more than sun, beaches, rum and calypso. In reality, however, it is one of the most diverse and fascinating regions on the planet, encompassing more than 7,000 islands and a vast number of disparate cultures and traditions, many of them still relatively off the beaten track.