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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.
As we approached Soufrière, the air was thick with the unmistakable scent of sulfur, a tantalizing hint of the thrilling volcanic wonders that awaited us onshore. National Geographic Orion anchored beneath the towering silhouette of Petit Piton, one of St. Lucia's most iconic and dramatic peaks. Our first stop, the mesmerizing sulfur springs where the smell was worth the spectacle. This was followed by a stroll through the lush, vibrant botanic gardens where nature’s vivid hues seemed to dance in the tropical sun. With the afternoon still young, we wandered through the charming streets of the town, soaking in the lively local culture before unwinding on the soft sands of a serene beach—another slice of paradise found on our Caribbean adventure.
Today, we arrived at Bequia in the heart of The Grenadines. Our morning began with a refreshing snorkeling excursion over coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. Next, we toured the island’s winding roads, discovering hidden coves and learning about Bequia’s history of commercial whaling which continues to this day. Here they continue to hunt humpback whales who migrate from the North Atlantic during the winter to give birth and mate in the Caribbean waters. They are one of few countries still commercially whaling. After soaking in panoramic vistas, we concluded our adventure at Jack’s Bar, savoring local cocktails while recounting the day’s highlights. Today was a truly memorable blend of exploration and relaxation.
Greetings from Tobago! Being in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago has been amazing, and National Geographic Orion continued to make her way through the Caribbean Islands. It was a wet day with the clouds and rain settling in, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Hiking and birding tours were arranged for guests. The tropical rain forest was so luscious and full of birdlife that it kept guests rapt at the beauty of Tobago. The afternoon was a fanfare of music, dancing, great food, and beverages provided by our restaurant and bar staff.
A day at sea means guests can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ship. We had three lovely presentations about corals, flying fish, and about how the music of the Caribbean shaped the world of music. As sargassum floated by National Geographic Orion , we had about six masked boobies hitchhiking with the extra lift created from the ship. Today we showed our appreciation for the crew on board and gave thanks to those who are the heartbeat of the ship.
We made it to our third country of the trip-Bonaire! Nestled in the southern part of the Caribbean, Bonaire is one of the ‘ABC’ islands, which also includes Aruba and Curacao. Bonaire is a stunning island filled with natural wonders, beautiful Dutch-inspired colorful architecture, and gorgeous, healthy underwater life.
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.