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Peregrine Travel Centre

Sailing the Caribbean aboard Sea Cloud

Sailing the Caribbean aboard Sea Cloud

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Description

Experience something many people don’t know still exists in the 21st century—the thrill of life under sail—in the region of the world where sailing is best. With the reliable trade winds filling Sea Cloud’s sails, you’ll have ample opportunities to stand on deck and watch the orchestrated frenzy of the crew members going aloft in the web of riggings to hand-set 30 sails. Discover the cultures and wildlife of the Caribbean by sailing into bays of idyllic islands to explore. You’ll be able to snorkel or swim in the warm Caribbean waters and explore tropical reefs and undersea gardens. Stroll waterfront towns where the patois reflects the mosaic of cultures in these islands. Hike a jungle trail in search of parrots or enjoy a palm-studded beach. Each island offers a unique rhythm, and your expedition can be as active or relaxing as you choose.

Trip Name
Sailing the Caribbean aboard Sea Cloud
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing) Length: 109 metres Passenger Capacity: 64 Built / refurbished: 1931 / 2011 Sea Cloud is a ship with a soul, imbued by the original owners, Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband E.F. Hutton in the 1930’s. The ship has played host to royalty, known service in wartime, and sailed the world over. She is a vessel of incomparable grace that harks back to the golden age of ship travel. Once you’ve been on Sea Cloud under full sail, you’ll begin your own love affair. Welcome aboard a legend Sea Cloud accommodates 58 guests in 28 outside cabins including two original owner’s suites that still feature original marble baths and fireplaces. At 360 feet she is an expansive ship with extensive public spaces on the top deck, where we luxuriate in deck chairs and watch the crew of 18 go aloft in the web of riggings to hand-set her 30 sails. Her dining room is hung with marine oil paintings of the period and accommodates all guests at once for a single seating. We’ll gather in the lounge each evening for Recap. Life aboard is a uniquely pleasing mix of elegance and informality—a return to the golden age of sailing in shorts and deck shoes. You’ll find all shipboard services impeccable.  Discover the romance of tall ship sailingExperience something many people don’t know exists in the 21st century—the romance of life under square sails. Discover the thrill of standing on deck as Sea Cloud gently glides through the water, her crew aloft in the riggings, running out and reefing sails. Settle in to your favorite areas on the top deck and bask in the incomparable experience of traveling aboard the finest tall ship to ever sail the seas. Lose yourself in an adventure that, in this day and age, is almost unimaginable. Please note deck and suite plans are indicative only and may vary slightly.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Embark in Barbados
Embark Sea Cloud in Barbados in the lateafternoon as we begin our voyage in theCaribbean. (D)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Under Sail
We have the day to enjoy one of the greatpleasures of travel anywhere: sailing aboard ourauthentic barque, seeing the crew go aloftunfurling the sails the traditional way—by hand—as we ride the trade winds. Watch as the crewclimbs the rigging and trims the Sea Cloud's32,000 square feet of canvas, and follow theaction with sail plan in hand. This is surely one ofthe best ways possible to learn about the art andscience of sailing, and a wonderful opportunity toenjoy the many amenities of this historic tall ship.(B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 3: Dominica
Dominica is called the “Nature Island” because ofits beauty and many reserves. We dock at historicPrince Rupert Bay, where sailing ships of all flagsput in for water, citrus fruits, and solid timber aftera long Atlantic crossing. In the morning, we drivethrough a succession of tropical ecosystems andfruit plantations into the Morne Diablotin NationalPark and rain forest. The spectacular canopy treeswith their buttress roots and liana vines are hometo Dominica’s two endemic parrots, which we hopeto see or hear on our rain forest hike. After lunch,join our historian for a walk up to beautifullyrestored Fort Shirley, where English cannonsprotected the strategic bay below. We’ll also haveour first opportunity to snorkel in the warm, clearCaribbean waters. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 4: Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe/Under Sail
Distinctly French in character and culture, theshops, homes and people of Les Saintes arecolorful, tasteful and delightful. Enjoy picturepostcard views from Fort Napoléon, with its cactusgarden, iguanas and maritime museum. Thenstroll through French colonial Terre-de-Haut andswim and snorkel from a nearby sandy beach. Inthe afternoon, we set sails in the GuadeloupeChannel for a short but powerful downwind reach,as the winds fill the square sails in a gloriousspectacle. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - DAY 5: Under Sail/Bequia, the Grenadines
In the morning, we sail aboard our magnificentship, and in the afternoon, we visit Bequia. With ahistorical mix of Scottish indentured servants,buccaneers, whalers and mariners, Bequia has amaritime culture unlike any other. Scrimshaw andmodel-boat building endure in this long-timesailors’ watering hole. We’ll get to know the localBequians on a short drive around the island incovered pick-up trucks, stopping at a view withgorgeous overlooks and at a traditional model boatmuseum. In Port Elizabeth, we’ll find local crafts,the Rastafarian fruit and vegetable market andelegant Belmont Walk. A good swim, snorkel, andtropical beach are a short walk or Zodiac rideaway, near the local beach bar. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - DAY 6: Under Sail/Exploring the Grenadines
In the morning, we enjoy a rousing sail through theidyllic Grenadines, passing Mustique, Canouan,Tobago Cay, Mayreau and Union Islands. We’llthen anchor in one of the lovely white-sand arcingbeaches that are the quintessential image of aCaribbean bay, with protected waters for easyswimming and snorkeling, and a few local beachbars with colorful Caribbean names andcharacters completing the scene. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - DAY 7: Soufrière & Les Pitons, St. Lucia/Under Sail
Anchor under the iconic twin peaks of St. Lucia,called “Les Pitons,” the iconic image of the famedWindward Islands. We’ll stop beneath Petit Pitonat the port of Soufrière, whose name derives fromthe active sulfur pools indicative of ongoingvolcanism. We’ll explore the active crater and thegeologic origins of Les Pitons, before taking adelightful walk through the local botanical gardens.Fed by mineral-rich hot spring runoff, the gardensare a gallery of tropical blooms and color, alivewith hummingbirds, bullfinches and the backdroprush of Diamond Falls. We then spend theafternoon sailing as we return to Barbados.(B,L,D)
Day 8 - DAY 8: Barbados/Disembark/Home
Disembark the Sea Cloud in Bridgetown,Barbados. We’ll drive to the north along the westcoast and through Holetown, site of the firstsettlement in 1627. We’ll stop at the St. JamesParish Church, the oldest Anglican Church inBarbados, and continue our drive throughSpeightstown to St. Nicholas Abbey. Built in 1660,St. Nicholas Abbey is not a church but one of onlythree genuine Jacobean mansions in the WesternHemisphere. It was recently refurbished, and thedistinguishing features of this magnificent, wellpreserved mansion include curved Dutch gables,chimney stack and coral stone finials, a ChineseChippendale staircase and fine antiques. Our laststop before Bridgetown Airport for departure flightsis Bathsheba, with spectacular views of the ruggedEast Coast Hills on one side and the poundingAtlantic surf on the other. We’ll stop at one of theparks nearby for a picnic lunch before continuingto the airport for flights home. (B,L)
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Sail the sparkling Caribbean Sea aboard the historic square-rigger Sea Cloud
    • Swim and snorkel in pristine tropical waters and explore remote cays and beaches
    • Explore an 18th-century fort, colonial outposts, and an intriguing mix of cultures with our expedition staff
    • Experience an array of natural wonders, including volcanoes and rainforests showcasing island flora and fauna

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