Mediterranean Expeditions Aboard Sea Cloud

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Uncover the storied Mediterranean on a unique sailing vessel

The Mediterranean, literally meaning “the sea in the middle of the Earth,” has deeply influenced Western history and culture. There is no better way to delve into the region’s history and myths than under sail—hopping among the islands and exploring the coasts as the ancients did. Discover its myth and magic aboard Sea Cloud. This historic tall ship is far more than a souvenir of a golden age. It is full of the glamour and sophistication of the ’30s and her original owner, Marjorie Merriweather Post, and also a thoroughly modern yacht in terms of safety technology and creature comforts. It is the perfect platform to travel among islands and along storied coasts, a bridge to history in a land bursting with it.

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

New and Noteworthy

New Corsica & Sardinia aboard Sea Cloud

Special Offers

Duration

12 days

May
Jun

From

$16,950

Prices are per person

Special Offers (1)

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

New and Noteworthy

New Corsica & Sardinia aboard Sea Cloud

Duration

12 days

May
Jun

From

$16,950

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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Special Offers

FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

New Extraordinary Adriatic: Croatia And Slovenia Under Sail

Special Offers

Duration

10 days

Aug

From

$14,670

Prices are per person

Special Offers (1)

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

New Extraordinary Adriatic: Croatia And Slovenia Under Sail

Duration

10 days

Aug

From

$14,670

Top Highlights

Venture to Croatian sites that tell the region’s rich history, from Neolithic Vis to the Roman ruins of Pula and the Venetian gems of Rovinj and Hvar
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites including Diocletian’s Palace complex in Split and the lovely city center of Ljubljana
Step into history at Slovenia’s cliff-side Predjama Castle, and see hidden World War II bunkers and tunnels in Vis
Relax under the billowing sails of a legendary square-rigger, enjoying the elegance and exceptional service of Sea Cloud, once the private ship of Marjorie Merriweather Post

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Special Offers

FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

Mediterranean Gems: From Dubrovnik to Naples

Special Offers

Duration

12 days

Jun
Sep

From

$16,950

Prices are per person

Special Offers (1)

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

Mediterranean Gems: From Dubrovnik to Naples

Duration

12 days

Jun
Sep

From

$16,950

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

FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED

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Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

New and Noteworthy

New Sailing the Ancient Shores of Sicily and Malta

Special Offers

Duration

12 days

Jun
Sep

From

$16,950

Prices are per person

Special Offers (1)

Highlights

Mediterranean aboard Sea Cloud

New and Noteworthy

New Sailing the Ancient Shores of Sicily and Malta

Duration

12 days

Jun
Sep

From

$16,950

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

FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED

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Expedition Highlights

Sun, steady winds, far-reaching Mediterranean culture and history, archaeology, mythology, and the tranquility of small islands—Sea Cloud’s season in the iconic Aegean, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Adriatic Seas is historically rich and scenically beautiful. Our itineraries are studded with archaeological landmarks, with sites both legendary and seldom seen. But our expedition style is also designed to balance active exploration with reflection and relaxation—so plan to discover isolated beaches, small fishing villages, welcoming people, and quiet beauty. And to have unplanned moments—a gathering in a Greek taverna perhaps—you’ll remember forever.

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Life Aboard

Polished brass capstans and portholes gleam, teak decks glow, and interiors are fitted with Italian marble and paneled in carved oak. Enjoy the grace and refinement of Sea Cloud, an extraordinarily elegant ship and a direct descendant of the opulent '30s—as you also enjoy the casual attitude and informal style of our small ship cruise of the Mediterranean.

The Seductive Allure of Santorini

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

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

1.800.397.3348

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Opened a new world for me.

Sheila Ann S.

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.

Naturalist

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

9/17/2022

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Sea Cloud

Sarande, Butrint and Porto Palermo, Albania

A big cloud covers the city of Sarande, but only while we need it to keep us cool. We are literally the very first to arrive to Butrint. The gates open for our guests, just as they were unlocked exclusively to the Greeks in the 4th century BC. We walk into an archeological site that takes us 2,800 years back in time (or maybe more), through different episodes of Mediterranean history. We pass the impressive Hellenic walls built on gigantic angular limestone rocks that fit together without the use of mortar. Butrint was known as “Troy in Miniature.” Virgil recounts Aeneas’s journey from Troy to Italy and his meeting with the Trojan exiles, Helenus and Andromache, who, according to legend, founded the city, even though Iliad Troy dates from the 13th century BC. Throughout much of its ancient history, Butrint functioned as a religious center dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. One remarkable event to honor the god was the freeing of slaves, which was inscribed in stones found on the walls of the theater. The inscriptions record the names of the slave owners and give information on how they ruled the region. It is important to remark that women in Butrint had more freedom than in the rest of classical Greece; in the event of the husband’s death, for example, any property passed to the wife, rather than to the eldest son. In 228 B.C., Butrint fell under Roman rule. The area flourished with fountains, mosaics, and baths as people took advantage of the geographical position: a hill in between a lake and the Ionian Sea, with pristine water everywhere. Most of the mosaics must remain covered today to protect them from the elements, but we do get to view the beautiful heart mosaics of the Great Basilica, built during the early Christian periods in the 6th century AD. We finish up the walk in the Venetian Tower, which later became an Ottoman fortress and has since become Butrint’s museum. Before returning the the ship, we drive to Lekuris Castle to enjoy Albanian wine, mussels, and cheese with a magnificent view of Sarande Bay. Still no rain, only a protective cloud. With the threat of a storm, we sail north. Just as we are entering Porto Palermo Bay, the winds calm down, and the skies clear. We are able to make our landing at the beach and visit Ali Pasha’s Castle, sometimes known as the Muslim Bonaparte. The steps are lit up with candles, just for us. At the top of this 19th century castle, Vendim and ballerinas Paula, Cindy, and Vanessa welcome Lindblad guests with Albanian folk dance and music, until the sun sets behind the ancient hills of this generous land.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/16/2022

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Sea Cloud

Ithaka, Greece

Today, we got to explore the remote island of Ithaka, which is famous for being mentioned in the Odyssey , the epic poem by Homer. The island is located in the Ionian Sea off the northeast coast of Kefalonia. There are no airports on the island, so it’s not a large tourist area. We took a 40-minute drive along winding roads filled with hairpin turns to a viewpoint near the former Panagia Kathariotissa Monastery, which is now a church. Afterwards, we drove to the small village of Stavros, the main village on the north part of the island. There was a bronze bust of Ulysses and a small reproduction of Odysseus’ palace. The main square was filled with cute coffee shops and a Byzantine church with a blue interior with crystal chandeliers. We sampled a local cheese dessert at the Margarita Café. We then boarded the buses to drive to the port city of Vathy, where we had an hour to shop and wander the streets of the cute village. Sea Cloud’s pool opened, and we were able to take a relaxing dip in the water before lunch. After lunch, we set sail for Albania and said goodbye to our Greek Guides, Effie and Laura. During the afternoon, our historian, Robyn, gave a talk about the history and culture of Albania followed by teatime. Before dinner, our expedition leader, Paula, gave a talk about the history of Sea Cloud , and we got to look in all the cabins during the open house!

Daily Expedition Reports

9/15/2022

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Sea Cloud

Katakolon, Greece

This morning, we were rewarded for adapting to the wind. Historian Robyn Woodward offered her informative lecture ‘Sanctuary of the Gods’ early so that we could reposition the ship. After enjoying the pleasure of watching the crew set the sails, we took to the Zodiacs for a spectacular view of the ship from the water. In the afternoon, we had the amazing opportunity to explore the ruins of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics. Many guests went to a nearby beach to take a dip in the sea before we completed the day with a delicious Greek dinner.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/14/2022

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Sea Cloud

At Sea

Today, we spent the day at sea along the southern coast of Peloponnesus. Our action-packed morning started with a smart phone photography presentation from our photography instructor. Then, the captain found us a nice swimming spot, and guests swam from the boat. Afterwards, our two Greek guides, Effie and Laura, gave an introduction to Greece. We spent the afternoon listening to the captain narrating as sixteen sailors set the sails. We watched as the sailors climbed up and down the masts to unclip the sails before using ropes to release them. Guests were invited to go to the bow to take photos and talk to the sailors. Ice cream was served at afternoon tea followed by our briefing for tomorrow’s activities at Katakalon.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/12/2022

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Sea Cloud

Sifnos, Greece

Our weeklong expedition abord Sea Cloud has taken us through a wide range of the conditions that the Cycladic Islands have to offer. Today, with calm seas, we arrived in the charming seaside town of Kamares, the chief port of Sifnos. During antiquity, this island enjoyed a period of great prosperity as they were privy to plentiful deposits of gold and silver, and the Sifnians built fantastic monuments at Panhellenic sanctuaries with their newfound wealth. By the late 6th century BC, though, these mines were exhausted, and the islanders later fell within the influence of the Athenian Empire, aka the Delian League. Traces of the Sifnians’ former wealth are evident in the blocks of carved marble, originally from temples of the Ionic Order, which have been repurposed into present-day structures. In the Middle Ages, Sifnos was part of the Byzantine Empire until the early 13th century when the Venetians wrested control of the Cyclades after the Fourth Crusade. This medieval phase of the island’s history is evident in the charming village of Kastro, where we arrived after a short bus ride from the port. Situated atop an outcrop, this fortified settlement stands aloft about 200 feet above the rocky shoreline of the Aegean Sea below. Its thick outer wall is breached by only a handful of narrow passages, while the narrow streets and staircases within it are ripe for exploration. To the east of Kastro, a beautiful little chapel with a characteristic blue dome (the Church of the Seven Martyrs) sits proudly on a peninsula against the stunning blue waters around it. Upon returning to Kamares harbor, some of us visited a sandy beach–it was time for a swim! Afterwards, we enjoyed a fantastic buffet lunch on the ship, with a special pasta bowl on offer. During the afternoon, the weather shifted, and we were once again feeling the steady stream of 20 knot winds from the north. In the evening, we gathered one last time for the Captain’s farewell drinks, and we shared our memories together with the voyage slideshow. After dinner, we got one last surprise– Sea Cloud’s crew took us through a hearty rendition of traditional sea shanties. Cheers to the (not so) drunken sailors!

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

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