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Fall under the spell of the Caribbean trade winds aboard Sea Cloud
Return to the romantic era of tall ships on an expedition among the idyllic islands of the Caribbean—a place perfectly suited to the aesthetic beauty of sailing aboard an authentic square-rigger. Our iconic ship Sea Cloud will be a movable feast and your base for exploring some of the Caribbean’s gems and lesser-known sites. This historic sailing yacht, a souvenir of a golden age of sailing in the 1930s, is full of the glamour and the sophistication of her era. From the moment you step aboard you’ll feel the soul of the ship—as surely as you’ll feel the trade winds filling her sails.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
From
$8,865
Prices are per person
Highlights
Caribbean
New
Antigua to the British Virgin Islands: Hidden Cays and Azure Seas Aboard Sea Cloud II
Duration
8 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
From
$8,865
Top Highlights
Experience the thrill of voyaging under sail on _Sea Cloud II_, watching an orchestrated frenzy of crew members going aloft in the web of riggings to hand-set 23 sails
Explore the natural wonders of the Caribbean, from remote cays and volcanic peaks to a variety of birds, reptiles, and sea turtles on tropical shores
Learn about the colonial history of tucked-away islands as you stroll through historic town squares and tour eighteenth-century forts
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
From
$7,881
Prices are per person
Highlights
Caribbean
New
Sailing St. Lucia, Dominica and Beyond Aboard Sea Cloud II
Duration
8 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jan
Feb
From
$7,881
Top Highlights
Unwind aboard _Sea Cloud II_, a romantic tall ship with every modern comfort, and observe the crew scramble high in the rigging to hand-set the sails
Discover Union Island, nicknamed the "Tahiti of the West Indies" with its dramatic volcanic landscape, turquoise waters, and local flavors
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Saint Kitts’ 17th-century Brimstone Hill Fortress and St. Lucia's iconic twin peaks, The Pitons
Discover the enchanting harmony of wind and sail. With reliable 10- to 15-knot trade winds at your back, you’ll trace the history of the islands from native settlers to colonial expansion to modern life. An integral part of what makes them so interesting is how each has settled in with some French, Spanish, and Creole mix of its own. On islands that still belong to France you’ll find everyone speaking French and shops accepting only the euro. Hike the islands and swim and snorkel the Caribbean’s colorful reefs.
Enjoy the daily ritual—each evening the entire community gathers on the Lido Deck for an expedition ritual we call Recap. As you enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, your naturalist or historian will give talks and your expedition leader will outline the following day’s schedule.
Unlocking the Hidden History of the Caribbean Aboard Sea Cloud
A journey through the Caribbean isn’t merely a vacation–it’s a chance to unlock the rich and complex history and culture of these islands that have stood as gateways to the New World and as waypoints for world exploration since they first made it onto the map.
Dominica Island: The Lesser-Known, Green Gem of the Caribbean
Dominica has earned the name “Nature Island” for good reason. Crystal-blue waters, towering rainforests, stunning volcanic peaks. On our Sailing the Caribbean aboard Sea Cloud expedition, experience the bountiful hidden beauty of this lesser-known gem.
Wherever she sails, Sea Cloud is a destination and a reason to travel all in one. Experience the epitome of elegance aboard the historic Marjorie Merriweather Post sailing yacht.
Learn How to “Lime” Caribbean Style
What is liming? It’s chilling out, relaxing, hanging out with friends for no reason other than to enjoy each other’s company.
The Sea Cloud is fabulous, and being on board and sailing is a real privilege!
Cory S.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalist, historian, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Our historians will share the stories, tumults, and triumphs of the people and places we explore. Their colorful personalities and passion for history, from the minutiae to the big picture, make them engaging travel tour guides and companions.
Every expedition aboard Sea Cloud offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Our adventure in Grenada began with a scenic drive through lush, rolling hills, where spice trees and tropical flowers filled the air with their fragrances. Our first stop was Annandale Falls, a hidden gem nestled within a dense rainforest. A short walk along a shaded trail led us to the cascading waterfall, its crystal-clear waters tumbling into a natural pool. Some guests took a refreshing dip, while others enjoyed watching local divers perform intrepid jumps from the rocky ledges. The vibrant greenery and the sound of rushing water created a peaceful and invigorating atmosphere. Next, we visited a chocolate factory. Grenada’s rich volcanic soil nurtures some of the world’s finest cacao. We learned about the traditional methods of growing, harvesting, and fermenting cacao beans. A tasting session delighted our senses, revealing the deep, complex flavors unique to Grenadian chocolate. We finished the excursion at Frederick Fort, with an incredible view of the bay. It was a day of discovery, indulgence, and appreciation for this Caribbean treasure.
Bequia is one of the largest islands in the Grenadines and part of the country, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. On our way to the island this morning, the captain announced ideal conditions for the willing and able guests to climb out on the bow sprit while underway. We pulled into the blue waters of Admiralty Bay off Port Elizabeth for our island tour in small pickup trucks. In the late afternoon, we all met at Prince Margaret Beach for a snorkel and swim and enjoyed one of Jack’s Beach Bar signature drinks called “Island in the Clouds” as the sun set over this idyllic landscape.
Les Saintes, a jewel of the French Caribbean, offered a day filled with history, natural splendor, and the undeniable pull of the sea. The morning began with a visit to Fort Napoléon, its weathered stone walls standing resolute atop the hill overlooking the vivid blues of the surrounding waters. The fort’s gardens, teeming with native flora, buzzed with life as we wandered through its storied corridors where history seemed to whisper from every corner. By midday, back aboard SV Sea Cloud , the shimmering turquoise water was too inviting to resist. With the sails furled and the ship gently rocking at anchor, we leapt from the side into the warm embrace of the Caribbean. The cool rush of saltwater was exhilarating, a perfect contrast to the tropical heat. Floating beneath the towering masts, we looked up at the billowing sails against a backdrop of brilliant blue sky, a perspective that made the ship feel even more magnificent. By afternoon, we set sail under ideal conditions. The steady trade winds filled the canvas as we carved effortlessly through the glistening sea. With the rhythm of the waves and the vast Caribbean stretching before us, the day ended in a perfect harmony of adventure and tranquility.
Named by Columbus because he landed on a Sunday, Dominica is known as the nature isle. It remains almost unspoiled. We next had an informative one-hour ride to the rain forest atop Morne Diablotin (or to use its Kalinago name Waitukubuli – “she whose body is so long”. The mountain was shrouded in clouds. Once in the forest we saw an endless variety of plants and trees. We returned to Sea Cloud for lunch and for a brief talk by our local guide, Dr. Lennon Honeychurch. Next stop, our snorkeling destination at Purple Turtle Beach, and yes one guest did see a turtle. After our snorkeling adventure, Lennox took us on a guided tour of 18th century British Fort Shirley. He was the principal advocate for the fort’s restoration. The fort is massive and spreads across most of the 200 acres of the Cabrits’ headland. It has only been possible to recover a small part of the original. Strangler vines and jungle cover the rest of the compound as you can see from Rich Reid’s photo of the commandant’s house. Our day ended with a great meal, and tomorrow on to Iles des Saintes.
It was our first day at sea and a fabulous day for sailing. As we rounded the southwestern tip of Martinique, a prevailing easterly wind was blowing at 20 knots off the starboard beam. We deployed sails, our professional sailors 180’ above the decks on the main mast, and our historian Tom Heffernan gave a talk on the famous incident at Diamond Rock. By lunchtime our sails billowed, and we were doing 8.7 knots, or 10mph. The sky was painted cerulean-blue and brown boobies were diving off the bow hunting flying fish. The boobies are spectacular aerial acrobats with their 5’ wingspan and compact bodies. They dove from 20 feet high to a depth of 4 to 6 feet deep. Paula, our Expedition Leader, gave a talk on the geology of the Caribbean and Photo Instructor Rich gave a talk with practical instructions on how to use phones as cameras. Tonight, Captain Pavel Starostin welcomed all of us to a fabulous supper. We enjoyed dinner and fellowship off the beautiful, green, northwest coast of Martinique.
There’s nothing sacrificed by having this traditional relationship to sailing. This is the height of luxury—and the height of luxury these days in many ways could be the ability to get away from it all.