Mediterranean Under Sail

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Book August 14 - September 29, 2023. Save 25% on the cabin fare when booking any Category 1 cabin, including solo cabins, or Category SU on National Geographic Islander II, for departures in 2023 when you pay in full at time of booking. Valid for new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking, cannot be combined with other offers, and is not applicable on airfare or extensions. To qualify for the discount, non-refundable payment in full is due at the time of booking. Call for details.

Mediterranean expeditions aboard the Sea Cloud fleet

Medieval walled cities and crumbling hilltop castles, imposing volcanoes, and ancient Roman ruins—the treasures of the Mediterranean are seen in their full splendor when exploring aboard an elegant tall ship from the Sea Cloud fleet. Few experiences on the water rival the sheer joy of sailing on one of these traditional windjammers, where nostalgia imbues every deck and cabin, and the prevailing winds chart your course through a bygone era. Join us aboard the historic Sea Cloud or her modern counterpart, Sea Cloud II, and set off on a timeless journey, where your transportation is as intriguing as your destination.

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. More details.

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

Italy and Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

New Coastal Gems of Croatia and Slovenia aboard Sea Cloud II

Duration

10 days

Aug
Sep

From

$12,387

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

Italy and Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

New Coastal Gems of Croatia and Slovenia aboard Sea Cloud II

Duration

10 days

Aug
Sep

From

$12,387

Top Highlights

Experience the splendors of the Golden Age of Sail aboard the gracious Sea Cloud II
Discover Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Split that dates to the 4th century
Explore the cobblestone streets and markets of medieval towns like Korčula and Trogir
Learn about the region’s many chapters of history at sites like Ljubljana’s hilltop castle and Tito’s once-secret Cold War tunnels
Travel through the bucolic countryside to taste celebrated local wines at a vineyard and enjoy other regional specialties

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Special Offers

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Corsica & Sardinia aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

May
Jun

From

$18,602

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Corsica & Sardinia aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

May
Jun

From

$18,602

Top Highlights

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Su Nuraxi di Barumini, one of the largest and most well-preserved Bronze Age stone fortresses known as nuraghi
Get a taste of Alghero and its surroundings: discover the medieval city, Neptune’s Grotto nestled in Capo Caccia’s peninsula, and Leda’ d’Ittiri wine-tasting estate
See the stunning karst limestone rock ravines of Les Calanques de Piana, one of the region’s most stunning landscapes
Bask in the comfort and intrigue of the legendary and historic Sea Cloud as you sail from Calvi to Bastia and around wild Cap Corse
Explore Naples & Pompeii on a 3-day pre-voyage extension

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

New Isles of Antiquity: Malta, Sardinia, and the Balearic Sea aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

15 days

Apr

From

$29,344

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

New Isles of Antiquity: Malta, Sardinia, and the Balearic Sea aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

15 days

Apr

From

$29,344

Top Highlights

Sail aboard the historic Sea Cloud and discover the romance of tall ship sailing as you effortlessly visit major islands of the Mediterranean like Sicily, Malta, and Corsica
Encounter multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites—including Sardinia’s Su Nuraxi di Barumini and the city of Valletta—brought to life by expert historians and archaeologists
Explore Menorca’s Bronze Age village of Torralba d’en Salord and see the characteristic T-shaped stone monuments left by the Talayotic peoples
Savor celebrated culinary specialties on visits to markets and vineyards

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Mediterranean Gems: Southern Italy and Sicily aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

Jun
Sep

From

$18,602

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Mediterranean Gems: Southern Italy and Sicily aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

Jun
Sep

From

$18,602

Top Highlights

Explore Greco-Roman sites, the baroque city of Lecce, and the medieval island town of Ortigia, and take in their vibrant life and culture
See the Amalfi Coast, with its pastel-colored buildings and stunning vistas
Visit Pompeii, abruptly destroyed by Vesuvius in the year A.D. 79, and witness its extraordinarily well-preserved homes
Enjoy a private lunch at Castello degli Schiavi, an 18th-century castle used as a locale for the Godfather films
Savor ample time at sea sailing aboard Sea Cloud, the world’s most beautiful tall ship
Explore enchating Split, Trogir, Mostar & Dubrovnik on a four-day trip extension, and/or historic Naples on a two-day trip extension

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Special Offers

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

Italy and Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

New Navigating Southern Italy and Coastal Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

Duration

11 days

Aug

From

$13,765

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

Italy and Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

New Navigating Southern Italy and Coastal Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

Duration

11 days

Aug

From

$13,765

Top Highlights

Unwind aboard the elegant Sea Cloud II, a romantic tall ship with every modern comfort
Spend a day in picturesque Amalfi where pastel clifftop villas have never-ending views of the Tyrrhenian Sea
Stand in Taormina’s Greco-Roman Theater, built into a cliff in the third century and still in use today
Discover the living history of UNESCO-designated Diocletian’s Palace, an extraordinary complex in Split that has been consistently occupied for nearly two millennia
Explore the cobblestone streets and markets of medieval towns like Trogir and Hvar

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Special Offers

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

Italy and Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

New Northern Italy Under Sail: Genoa, Pisa, and the Amalfi Coast aboard Sea Cloud II

Duration

8 days

May

From

$9,173

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

New and Noteworthy

Italy and Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

New Northern Italy Under Sail: Genoa, Pisa, and the Amalfi Coast aboard Sea Cloud II

Duration

8 days

May

From

$9,173

Top Highlights

Bask under the billowing sails of the square-rigger Sea Cloud II along the coast of Northern Italy
Discover Genoa’s cultural treasures like the Strada Nuova and the stunning Cathedral of San Lorenzo, believed to hold the relics of St. John the Baptist
In Pisa, see the iconic Leaning Tower, part of a complex of medieval architectural masterpieces
On Elba Island explore the fortified town of Portoferraio and Napoleon’s villa
Spend time in Amalfi, the crown gem of the storied Amalfi Coast

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Sailing the Ancient Shores of Sicily and Malta aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

May

From

$19,354

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Sailing the Ancient Shores of Sicily and Malta aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

May

From

$19,354

Top Highlights

Sail the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian Seas
Explore enchanting piazzas and winding alleyways of picturesque towns from Lipari to Taormina and Ortigia
Visit an array of UNESCO World Heritage sites, from Greco-Roman ruins in Siracusa and Agrigento to the ancient temples of Ġgantija
Experience Sicily’s unique cuisine at a wine tasting in Marsala, at Erice’s renowned Pasticceria Maria Grammatico, and at a private lunch in a historic castle near Taormina
Savor ample time at sea sailing aboard Sea Cloud, the world’s most beautiful tall ship
Explore Naples & Pompeii on a 3-day pre-voyage extension

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Special Offers

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Sailing the Greek Isles aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

9 days

Aug
Sep

From

$15,569

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Sailing the Greek Isles aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

9 days

Aug
Sep

From

$15,569

Top Highlights

Experience the Cyclades while under full sail aboard a romantic tall ship
On Delos, the mythological birthplace of twin gods Artemis and Apollo, explore the Temple of Apollo, an important archaeological site
Immerse yourself in the lively culture, mythology, and Venetian legacy of age-old villages
Ride a cable car down a cliffside in beautiful Santorini
At Tinos, see the active pilgrimage site of Panagia Evangelistria and terraced hillsides
Explore Athens on a two-day pre-voyage extension, or Crete on a three-day post-voyage extension

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Under Sail: Greece and the Dalmatian Coast aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

Jun
Aug
Sep

From

$18,989

Prices are per person

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Under Sail: Greece and the Dalmatian Coast aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

Jun
Aug
Sep

From

$18,989

Top Highlights

Discover the romance of life aboard a hand-sailed tall ship in the waters of the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic Seas
Step back in history at four UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the evocative ruins of Olympia, Greece, and Albania’s historic city of Butrint
Skim across Montenegro’s Gulf of Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks, a tiny islet built of rocks from the mainland and sunken fishing boats
Spend a day among the marble-paved lanes and ramparts of Dubrovnik’s Old Town
Stand on deck and watch the orchestrated frenzy of crew members go aloft in the web of Sea Cloud’s riggings to handset 30 sails
Explore Split, Trogir & Mostar on a three-day voyage extension and Athens on a two-day voyage extension

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Sea Cloud

A legend of both her time and today, the 30-cabin Sea Cloud was built in 1931 for the heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. The last of the private tall ships, she carries 30 sails, which are raised by hand as you venture out to sea. Settle into the banquette of the “blue lagoon,” or enjoy refreshments at the covered Lido Bar. Every detail—from the marble fireplaces to the French antiques—reflects the extravagant charms of American royalty.

Inspired by her splendid predecessor, Sea Cloud II celebrates the time-honored traditions of her fleet: the hand-raising of her sails and nightly sundowners on deck. She combines the elegance of a classic square-rigger and the spaciousness of a contemporary vessel, with each of the 44 outward-facing cabins outfitted in modernized amenities. Expansive outdoor viewing areas tempt guests to savor the romance of traveling under billowing sail.

Expedition Highlights

Sail Europe’s most storied waters on an expertly crafted itinerary, stepping ashore in captivating places from Corsica to Croatia and beyond, where the vestiges of antiquity come vibrantly to life. Discover sights both storied and secret, and gain unique perspectives from our expert guides on the threads that connect the region’s histories and cultures. Enjoy an unhurried pace under sail, with time at leisure to amble picturesque harbors and sample the many culinary delights this region has to offer.

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Life On Board

One of the great joys of traveling aboard a traditional tall ship is witnessing the theater of her spirited crew raise and lower the sails by hand. Watch acrobatic sailors climb the rigging, loosen the heavy cloth, and haul the lines in from the deck—performing a grand choreography that never ceases to mesmerize.

Sail the Legendary Sea Cloud

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.

Sailing the Mediterranean Aboard Sea Cloud II

Let the Mediterranean's prevailing winds chart your course through a bygone era as we sail to lesser-known sites, such as Napoleon’s home on the isle of Elba, and enjoy exclusive experiences, like a private lunch at a Sicilian castle with a riveting Hollywood story.

Traveling Under Sail with the Historic Sea Cloud Fleet

Sailing aboard a Sea Cloud ship is both a grand and effortlessly casual experience. Whether on the namesake vessel or Sea Cloud II, it's a rare chance to get immersed in old-world elegance and comfort.

Wonders of the World: Exploring 9 UNESCO Heritage Sites

On a voyage through history, certain locations and landmarks stand out as especially monumental, such as the world’s largest Buddhist temple or North America’s earliest known European structures.

The Seductive Allure of Santorini

Strikingly beautiful, Santorini has an equally dramatic history and an intersection of geology and architecture that’s apparent.

Expedition Music

Voyages through the Mediterranean offer abundant opportunities to discover local cultural traditions, including special music and dance performances curated by ethnomusicologist Jacob Edgar on select departures. Enjoy a preview of these soulful sounds. Follow Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic on Spotify to find playlists showcasing music from the Mediterranean and beyond, specially curated by Jacob Edgar.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

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.

Historian

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 companions.

Cultural Specialist

Sail with cultural commentators aboard who further illuminate local life. They are leaders in their fields, some still engaged in conducting research, who know the region intimately. Learn from them in onboard presentations, and engage with them on a one-to-one basis to learn more about their topic or backgrounds.

Certified Photo Instructor

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.

National Geographic Expert

On select voyages travel with a bona fide National Geographic Expert. These top pros at your side and at your service—providing insight, knowledge, and presentations as you voyage along storied coasts.

1.800.397.3348

Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

9/19/2023

Read

Sea Cloud

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The walls on the outside may seem imposing, but the Old Town and people of Dubrovnik are resilient and welcoming. The pride of the Old Town is apparent in the lovingly restored buildings and monuments. The work continues today as we saw workmen on rooftops and statues and buildings surrounded with scaffolding. Our explorations took us through a myriad of narrow alleyways, up polished limestone steps, around the perimeter wall and, finally, to a shady table with a cold beverage. The photos accompanying this paragraph display the diversity of experiences from our day spent in Dubrovnik.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/18/2023

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Sea Cloud

Kotor, Montenegro

As our expedition aboard the Sea Cloud continued, we progressed up the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea and arrived at Montenegro — one of the world’s youngest countries. Montenegro had been part of Serbia since 1992, but they voted for independence by referendum in 2006. Montenegrins are a Slavic people and are predominately Orthodox Christian, but also include a sizeable Muslim minority. Yet the name Montenegro — Italian for “Black Mountain” — and the small number of Roman Catholic adherents alludes to its medieval history. During the 15th century, as the Ottoman Turks expanded westward, this region came under the protection of the Venetian Empire, their Stato da Mar. Kotor became a key naval base and supply station for their fleets of galleys which plied the trade routes across the Mediterranean Sea, bringing foreign exotica into Western Europe from the Levant. Today the cultural diversity of Montenegro reflects the regional influence of these foreign powers — Italian and Catholic along the coastline, Islamic and Turkish further inland. In the early morning we cruised into the Bay of Kotor, one of the most spectacular harbors in the world. Passing by steep mountain slopes on either side of the narrow entrance channel, we saw bell towers and small villages along the shores. We spent the morning in the bay, first heading to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. This charming little chapel was founded in the 17th century and came to be venerated by sailors — and some of their anxious family members — to ensure they returned home safely. Afterwards we explored Kotor; this Venetian fortress has great bastions and ramparts along the waterfront, and a great curtain wall which defends the eastern approaches and encloses the town across the towering slopes of Mount San Giovanni 900 feet above. In the afternoon we took a coach tour to explore the hinterland, passing by the resort and casino city of Budva before ascending into the highlands. We drove through mile after mile of an incredibly fragmented landscape, with crags and outcrops of jagged limestone interspersed with clumps of shrubs and small trees. Our destination was the small village of Njegusi, situated in a small vale with what seems to be the only patch of arable land for many miles. Here we were treated to the local specialties, smoked hams and cheeses, washed down with a glass of wine. Our return journey to the ship was itself a spectacle, as we negotiated the narrow winding roads and twenty-five switchbacks during our descent to Kotor. When the Sea Cloud pulled out from the dock, we enjoyed another beautiful evening on the lido deck, with locally produced oysters and champagne.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/17/2023

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Sea Cloud

Krujë, Albania

During our second day in Albania we travelled inland to explore the historic capital of Krujë, located at the foot of Mount Krujë. Here we visited the National Skanderbeg Museum and learned about the Albanian national hero for whom it is named. As leader of the League of Lezhë, Skanderbeg successfully defended the castle against three Ottoman sieges until his death in 1468. At a local restaurant we were treated to authentic Albanian food and a rousing performance of traditional Albanian music and folk dancing. Before returning to the ship we had free time to explore the unusual collection of shops in the medieval market, including locally made rugs and memorabilia from Albania’s communist period. Before dinner, expedition leader John Frick gave a presentation about the history of the Sea Cloud and we enjoyed a tour of several original cabins.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/16/2023

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Sea Cloud

Saranda, Albania

In the day’s early hours, Sea Cloud sailed northward through the channel between Greek Corfu and the mainland; we arrived at Saranda, our first visit in Albania. After an early breakfast and clearance into the country, guests disembarked to meet our excellent local guides, Loretta and Afrodita. We boarded our coaches and left the crowded resort town for the beautiful archaeological park of Butrint to the south. We enjoyed a guided walking tour of a site that reveals the many layers of local history: Greek, Roman, early Christian and Byzantine, Ottoman, Venetian, and Albanian. One of the most impressive ruins was the Greek theater, built into the side of a hill using large blocks of limestone. It was later remodeled by the Romans using their signature fired brickwork, and is now surrounded by small ponds inhabited by turtles. Butrint remains largely unexcavated, and much of the site has been reclaimed by encroaching forests and a rising water table. All of this results in numerous views and vignettes of great charm. Our group proceeded past an octagonal early Christian baptistry, a Roman nymphaeum, the large basilica, and the impressive defensive walls that drew comparisons to those of Troy in Virgil’s Aeneid. Most of the group ascended to the Venetian fortress that crowns the site. As we were departing, many other visitors were just arriving, validating our choice of an early visit. Returning to the town of Saranda, our coaches climbed the hill to reach Lekursi Castle; we enjoyed stunning views of Corfu, the Ionian coastline, and inland agricultural regions. At the castle restaurant we tasted Albanian products, our “first lunch,” and were charmed by the ancient and plaintive music of a celebrated Albanian flute player in traditional garb. Back aboard Sea Cloud , we enjoyed “second lunch” as Captain John sailed from the pier using sails and wind power. From Saranda, we sailed north under engine power along a coastline dominated by the massive Dinaric Alps. In the midafternoon, historian David Brotherson presented “Sing O Muse: Greek Mythology & Homeric World. In the evening, the ship’s hotel delighted guests with a seated dinner on the lido deck as we departed the Ionian to enter the Adriatic Sea.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/15/2023

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Sea Cloud

Ithaka, Greece

This morning we awoke as the Sea Cloud cruised north through the Ionian Sea on our way to Ithaka. As the sun’s radiance crept over the horizon, the crisp air slowly gave way to a beautifully warm morning. We progressed into the sheltered harbor of Vathy; its encompassing landscape features groves of cypress and dense shrubbery, amongst which rugged limestone formations are exposed here and there. We took the Zodiacs to shore and boarded coaches. Out tour of the island began, as we rolled along its narrow and meandering roads. Ithaka has long been associated with the epic poems of Homer — the Iliad and the Odyssey — as the home of the Greek king Odysseus. These oral traditions, passed down over many generations, deal with the ten-year battle between the Mycenaean Greeks and the Trojans. The conflict was stuck in a stalemate for many years, but was finally resolved when he deceived the Trojans with the Trojan Horse. However, Odysseus’ character flaw was his pride, as he was unwilling to thank the gods for their part in his success. Thus his return journey home was repeatedly forestalled by the gods, and he did not reunite with his family in Ithaka for a whole twenty years. Fortunately, our visit aboard the Sea Cloud was granted safe passage by the powers that be, and we enjoyed the various sights and sounds of this gloriously peaceful island in the sun. As we negotiated many tight switchbacks up and down the hillsides, we stopped by an Orthodox monastery, passed goats and old olive groves, grabbed a drink at a small crossroads village, and then returned to the harbor of Vathy and our ship. Back on board the “pool” was open, and we took a refreshing dip in the Ionian Sea. During the afternoon we headed north, as our time in Greece and the Peloponnese drew to a close. Next stop, Albania.

There’s nothing sacrificed by having this traditional relationship with sailing. This is the height of luxury; and the height of luxury these days, in many ways, is arguably, your ability to get away from it all.

Sven-Olof Lindblad

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

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Sea Cloud & Sea Cloud II 2024

Caribbean aboard Sea Cloud

Italy and Croatia aboard Sea Cloud II

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud Fleet

Sea Cloud & Sea Cloud II 2024

2024 Voyages Aboard the Sea Cloud Fleet

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