Travel aboard the four-masted sailing yacht Sea Cloud, which accommodates 58 guests in 30 cabins including two Owner’s Suites. Built in 1931 by Wall Street businessman E.F. Hutton for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Sea Cloud carries 30 sails measuring a total of 32,000 square feet.
January, February and March—departure dates may vary from year to year.
Public areas
The covered Lido bar is a superb place to congregate and enjoy the outdoors. The open-air Blue Lagoon is a wonderful place to relax. The sumptuous lounge is the venue for talks and presentations by our expedition staff. Guests are welcome on the open bridge to learn how Sea Cloud is navigated and sailed.
Air-conditioning
All enclosed interior spaces are air conditioned.
Email/Internet access
You can purchase an Internet card on board. The Internet service is not always consistent. If we are near shore you will most likely have service. But when we are sailing in open waters the service may not be reliable.
Laundry
Laundry and pressing services are available at an additional charge. There is no dry cleaning.
Telephone & fax
Satellite telephone calls and fax transmissions are available at an additional charge.
Elevator
The Sea Cloud does not have an elevator.
Smoking
For the comfort of all our guests, smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.
Category 1 Solo: #16-17: Upper and lower single beds and a porthole. These cabins once housed the ship’s officers.
Category 1: #28-29: Cabins have two single beds, a window and showers.
Category 2: #18-25: Cabins have two single beds, a window and showers.
Category 3: #32-37: Cabins have two single beds, a window and showers.
Category 4: #30-31: Cabins have a queen-size bed, a forward-facing window and showers.
ORIGINAL/DELUXE CATEGORY B: Original and deluxe cabins, #5, 6, 9, 10: Located on the Main Deck, these large cabins, originally occupied by guests (and the nannies, #9-10) of the owner, have a mix of bed types, decorative motifs, bathrooms with bathtubs. All have portholes.
ORIGINAL/DELUXE CATEGORY A: Original/Deluxe cabins, #3, 4, 7, 8: Located on the Main Deck, these very large cabins, originally occupied by guests of the owner, have a mix of bed types, decorative motifs, bathrooms with bathtubs. All have portholes.
OWNER’S SUITES: Original owner’s suites #1-2: These incomparable suites were occupied by Marjorie Merriweather Post (#1) and E.F. Hutton (#2). They have king-size beds and grand marble bathrooms with bathtubs.
Décor
The main deck cabins have antique and period-style furniture. These cabins are the ship’s original cabins, including the owner’s suites originally occupied by E.F. Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post. Cabins on the promenade and captain’s decks are modern, stylish with comfortable furniture.
Climate controls
Each cabin has its own thermostat, allowing you to control the air conditioning in your cabin.
Amenities
Hairdryer, soap, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, robe, slippers, and umbrella are in your cabin.
Electrical appliances
In each suite there is an outlet for 110v and 220v (European).
Valuables
Each cabin is equipped with a safety deposit box for storing valuables.
Meals are served in one open seating in the dining room. Tables are always unassigned, to encourage mingling and to ensure you dine with a variety of fellow guests and expedition team members. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, with an array of healthy options from fruits, vegetables, freshly squeezed juices, homemade breads—choices range from simple to indulgent to satisfy any yearnings. Lunch may be served on deck. Dinner is served with varied meat, fish, or vegetarian options at every meal. Our sustainable seafood program aims to serve locally caught or harvested fresh seafood. The baker presents fresh breads and desserts daily to surprise and delight. Meal hours will be posted in your Daily Program.
If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance and we will gladly accommodate you. Unfortunately, we cannot provide kosher meals but can provide vegan meals.
Throughout your expedition, there is no need for formal clothing, unless you’re inclined to dress up. The atmosphere aboard is casual and comfortable, and so is the dress code. Because of the elegant nature of the ship, many guests prefer to wear clothing that’s a bit dressier at dinner, and especially at the farewell dinner, but that’s entirely a matter of choice.
Coffee, soft drinks, and hot chocolate are available throughout the day, as are light snacks.
Yes, alcoholic beverages are not only available aboard ship, but all drinks aboard ship are included free of charge. A list of alcoholic beverages and wines is available upon request; please call for details.
Sailing the region aboard Sea Cloud is a matchless way to travel. Her 32,000 square feet of sail, raised by hand, hark back to an earlier time. She also carries two Zodiac inflatable craft which are used, conditions permitting, to enable guests to get photographs of the ship under sail.
In addition to an expedition leader, you will be accompanied by a naturalist, a historian who will tell you about the Caribbean’s cultures, and local guides on each island.
Yes, we have a musician on board who plays the piano. At least one night a group will sing sea shanties.
This is a Lindblad-National Geographic expedition tradition. Recaps are generally held each evening in the lounge prior to dinner and include informal presentations by the staff and a lively review of the day’s events involving both staff and guests. At the conclusion of Recap, your expedition leader will review the activity options for the next day.
Yes, everyone on our expedition team speaks English. Some are multi-lingual as well.
No, but you can walk laps around the promenade deck.
No, there is no spa on board.
Children of any age are welcome on our Caribbean sailing. We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. Take $500 off the double occupancy rate for each person under 18.
A minor consent form must be signed by the parents or parent not traveling with the child. It is also suggested that the legal guardian of the child sign and have notarized a letter of consent to travel with their knowledge.
Prior to your departure date, we will provide you with a list of port contacts and phone numbers, indicating how you can be reached in case of emergency. The ship is equipped with satellite communications for Internet access, telephone, and fax.
Our ships are equipped with satellite communications for email and Internet access, and telephone and fax, for which charges apply.
Yes, the doctor has designated office hours and is available at all times for emergencies.
No vaccinations are currently required.
No medical form is necessary.
If you are susceptible to motion discomfort, you may want to bring some preventive medication. Please check with your personal physician for recommendations.
No vaccinations are required but you should check with your doctor.
Yes, you will need a passport that is valid for up to six months after the departure date.
No visa is necessary for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
The shipboard currency is in U.S. Dollars. In foreign ports, a small amount of local currency will be available for exchange aboard ship. All services and products purchased on board the ship may be paid for by cash, check, or charge (American Express, VISA and MasterCard).
Yes most of the time major credit cards are accepted in larger stores and for shipboard charges. They are not accepted at markets, so you will need to have local currency in small denominations.
That’s a personal choice. You can use a credit card on board the ship and many places ashore. We will also have small, limited amounts of local currency available on board. ATMs are generally available ashore, too. Personal checks are accepted on the ship.
While some islands have their own currencies, cash dollars are widely accepted.
All gratuities ashore are included in your expedition cost. As a special feature, gratuities to crew aboard ship are included as well..
You will visit six unique islands during your sailing, each with its own distinct culture and flavor.
Often, the most memorable events are those that are unplanned. That’s why every Lindblad-National Geographic itinerary has flexibility built into the schedule. When we’re out visiting towns, time is left open for exploring. So, if we happen to encounter a musical group, for example, we’ll have the time to stop and watch rather than having to rush off somewhere else. To get a sense of what these adventurous, open-ended days are like, spend some time reading our Daily Expedition Reports. You can read the top ten or browse our archives, looking at the destination and time of year that most interests you.
The weather is warm and sunny, with an average low of about 72ºF and a high of about 82ºF.
Yes, you are welcome to visit the captain and officers on the Bridge. The bridge is open all day, at the discretion of the ship’s officers. The bridge is closed at night.
You should be in general good health and able to walk short distances unassisted.
Yes, your expedition team always offers walks of varied lengths for different fitness levels and interests. Naturalist-guided walking and hiking options will be offered regularly throughout your expedition, as conditions allow. Shorter walks will always be offered.
Hiking sticks are permitted and could be helpful. There are some provided onboard however, you may bring along your own a walking stick.
Virtually everything we offer is included. Activities conducted by our expedition staff and local guides are always included. There may be opportunities for activities on your own. Then you will have free time to explore on your own, to stop at a sidewalk café. Our staff will be on hand for suggestions.
Lindblad Expeditions costs are all-inclusive:
- All ship and hotel accommodations
- All meals aboard ship.
- All non-alcoholic beverages aboard ship.
- Tips, taxes, port charges and service charges (gratuities to ship’s crew at your own discretion)
- All shore excursions and sightseeing, entrance fees, special access permits.
- Transfers to and from group flights
- Use of snorkeling gear and, conditions permitting, a Zodiac excursion to allow you to photograph Sea Cloud under sail
- Services of a ship’s physician
- Services of our expedition team
- International airfare is always shown as a separate cost, since many of our travelers prefer to use their frequent flyer miles
There are never hidden charges, like port charges. Of course, you’ll want to check carefully the inclusions for the journey you’ve selected, but you can rest assured there will be nothing hidden. Activities and shore excursions are included in the cost of every expedition. We don't want you to miss out on anything. Many cruise lines charge you extra, often hundreds of dollars, to see the sites that prompted you to book in the first place. With Lindblad, all activities and sightseeing are included-from guided walks to entrance fees to water activities like snorkeling—and you won't be locked-in to a pre-booked excursion. You'll always have the freedom to pick and choose activities as your day unfolds. After all, these are not scheduled tours, these are expeditions. Every one is different—every day is different.
It varies. There will be plenty of occasions for traveling under full sail by day.
Yes, our overnight anchorages are sheltered.
No, Sea Cloud does not have a pool.
Yes, if you arrive and depart on the group flight.
No you will not be charged any departure tax at the airport.
Yes, we’ll be glad to assist you with arrangements in the cities of embarkation and disembarkation only.
There are no extensions currently offered with this expedition.
Our style is always informal. The relaxed atmosphere of every journey, a Lindblad Expeditions hallmark, is something our travelers tell us they particularly enjoy. There is never a need for fancy clothing, so our recommendations on your travel wardrobe are all about comfort, practicality and likely conditions in the region you're exploring. Aboard Sea Cloud, many guests feel more comfortable wearing something a bit dressier in the evening, but that is entirely a matter of preference.
As you can imagine, the wrong footwear can ruin your travel plans. Good walking shoes such as sneakers or waterproof Teva-type sandals are essential.
Yes, depending on weather conditions. If the expedition leader feels comfortable with the conditions he/she will anchor the ship so guests may have a swim.
Hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. Presentations by our expert staff on a variety of relevant topics will be offered throughout the expedition.
Yes, the ship is outfitted with fins, masks, and snorkels for everyone on board. If, however, you require a prescription mask, please bring along your own.
We go ashore via gangway directly off the ship when docked at port, or via tender on occasion
