Watch the cricket World Cup in the Caribbean

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There are a number of tour packages on offer that follow the Indian team.

Nothing excites Indians more than cricket. With the ICC World Cup just round the corner (if you are counting, its 50 days away) maybe this is a good time to think of planning that trip to the Caribbean Islands, where it is being hosted to be able to watch this series live.

There will be a mind-boggling 99 one-day matches that will be played at nine venues in 12 stadia. With travel becoming easier and accessible, this World Cup there is absolutely no excuse to sit in front of a television set to watch all the fun. And the Caribbean has a lot to offer, as some would say, a perfect place to catch a spot of cricket.

Shankar Vishwanathan of Sports Services is just back from a trip to Barbados. "It's a great place to party, watch cricket, enjoy the great restaurants, beaches. The atmosphere is fantastic."

So if you are ready to shell out some hard cash, here's what you could enjoy. You could take a 17-day cruise following the Indian cricket team (from April 13-29, 2007) called the Slog Overs, which is being offered by Sports Services.

The cruise ship will take you to five of India's Super 8 matches and cover a total of eight islands. You will have to take the flight to Barbados from London, so get your tickets to London on your own and the Caricom visa too, to enter all the 10 islands in the Caribbean. The cost: Rs 3.7 lakh per person, excluding the airfare to London and the visas.

There is also the option of taking a 12-day-cruise on Carnival Destiny Cruise from April 10-12 to watch three of India's Super 8 matches with England, Pakistan and West Indies. Cox & Kings is offering this package for Rs 3.78 lakh including airfare from India to London and then on to Barbados.

On the same cruise liner, SOTC is offering a 20-night cruise with match tickets for three Super 8 games at Barbados, the semi-final 2 at St Lucia and the final again at Barbados for Rs 3.49 lakh.

Alternately, you could opt for a stay for 18 nights in a serviced villa. This could set you back anything between Rs 2.83 to 4.10 lakh, depending on your choice of villa.

Sailing is the best way to enjoy the Caribbean. You could catch the 17-day yacht and sailing experience watching matches, enjoying the night life and letting the chefs spoil you with their gastronomic treats. In case India plays badly and doesn't make it to the finals, at least one will have had a good holiday.