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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.
We began the day anchored off the coast of Montserrat, an island that was devastated by a volcanic eruption that made two-thirds of the island uninhabitable. The Emerald Time Capsule – Volcano and Plymouth Tour offered a powerful look at the 1997 eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano, featuring a visit to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and a walk through the haunting remains of Plymouth in the Exclusion Zone. A second option, the Duberry-Cassava Nature Trail Hike, took guests on a peaceful rainforest loop through Montserrat’s northern terrain, showcasing native plants and birds. Montserrat was also the homeland of one of the Caribbean’s most successful soca musicians. Born Alphonsus Cassel, Arrow’s 1982 hit song “Hot, Hot, Hot” is an iconic party anthem. By late afternoon, we arrived in Antigua and docked for the night. Guests were invited to explore ashore independently. The day concluded with the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails at 5:30 p.m., including a showing of the guest slideshow, followed by a special Farewell Dinner in the dining room.
Today, we explored the wild beauty of Dominica, fondly known as “The Nature Island of the Caribbean.” With lush rainforests, volcanic peaks, and more than 300 rivers, it remains one of the Caribbean’s most untouched and captivating destinations. Rooted in Kalinago heritage, colonial struggles between the French and British, and independence in 1978, the island’s history mirrors the depth and diversity of its landscapes. Our morning took us into Morne Diablotin National Park, home to Dominica’s tallest mountain. There, we enjoyed a peaceful 1.5-mile walk along the Syndicate Nature Trail, surrounded by dense rainforest. We kept our eyes peeled for Dominica’s iconic parrots and were lucky to spot a few jaco parrots soaring above the treetops. In the afternoon, we visited Fort Shirley in Cabrits National Park. This restored 18th-century British garrison, once home to over 600 soldiers, now offers sweeping views of Prince Rupert Bay and a powerful glimpse into the island’s colonial past. We wrapped up the day with an informative cocktail hour and recap, a delicious dinner, and the always-anticipated Crew Show. It was a nice mix of nature, history, and fun — a lovely experience on this remarkable island.
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.
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.