SAILING IN THE LEEWARD & WINDWARD ISLANDS
aboard the SEA CLOUD II

Itinerary

Day 1 | Fri Mar 5, 2027 — Depart the USA and embark SEA CLOUD II

Depart the United States on any regularly scheduled flight to St. Maarten (SXM). Upon arrival, transfer to Philipsburg and the SEA CLOUD II. Sail in the evening. (D)

Day 2 | Sat Mar 6 — Day under full sails

Spend the day sailing under full sails. Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails — today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand. (B,L,D)

Day 3 | Sun Mar 7 — Saint-Pierre, Martinique

The 'Paris of the Islands,' the 'Pearl of the Antilles,' or the 'Venice of the Tropics' — Saint-Pierre in the northwest of the French dream island Martinique has always inspired romantic comparisons. Founded in 1635, the city at the foot of the volcanic mountain Pelée flourished due to sugar and slave trade, becoming the economic and cultural center of the island. Prosperity continued until 1902 when Pelée erupted, destroying Saint-Pierre and burying 30,000 people under lava, embers, and ash. Today, the coastal town is officially classified as a 'City of Art and History': In addition to the ruins of the theater and the old church, the intricate buildings of the Chamber of Commerce and the cathedral are worth a visit. (B,L,D)

Day 4 | Mon Mar 8 — Port Elizabeth, Bequia

Bequia is actually the largest island in the Grenadines, but still small and tranquil at just 87 square miles. Elegant sailing yachts sway in the natural shelter of Admiralty Bay, while in lovely Port Elizabeth, with its attractive beach bars, you are right in the heart of a lifestyle that likes to take things easy. You can find Princess Margaret Beach just nearby, named because it was once visited by the British royal. And on the eastern coast, you can find the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary focuses on rearing and caring for endangered turtles. (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Tue Mar 9 — Tobago Cays, St. Vincent & Grenadine

Right in the south of the Grenadines are the Tobago Cays – four small uninhabited islands, surrounded by a protective horseshoe-shaped coral reef. The Horseshoe Reef holds the Atlantic swell at bay and its unique animal and plant life make it an ideal place for snorkelling. The lagoon between the islets shimmers in all shades from turquoise through to emerald green and invites you to take a dip at the fantastic beaches. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Wed Mar 10 — Soufrière, St. Lucia

Two famous volcanic cones are indisputably the emblem of St. Lucia and have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gros and Petit Piton tower over the southern, windward side of the island and, in Soufrière, seem close enough to touch. The volcanoes have in fact long been extinct, but the sulphur springs demonstrate the power of the earth's core and still bubble up. In the Botanical Gardens, natural abundance is combined with artistic arrangements to create a colorful tropical paradise. Some people claim that Josephine, who later became Napoleon's wife, used to bathe in the little pool in the garden. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Thu Mar 11 — Cabrits, Dominica

Dominica, nicknamed the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, is one of the most untouched of the Windward Islands. It boasts some of the highest mountains in the Lesser Antilles, as well as many beautiful national parks. Its interior is characterized by thick forest, where rivers plunge into the depths and tiny streams wind through the jungle. Two extinct volcanoes are at the center of the Cabrits National Park and, recaptured by nature, the former strategically important Fort Stanley appears like a picturesque backdrop in the heart of the lush woodlands. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Fri Mar 12 — Terre-de-Haut, Îles des Saintes

Îles des Saintes is a small archipelago that was disputed for a long time until it finally became French in 1816. In the charming main town of Terre-de-Haut, take a delightful stroll along the waterside promenade. Boutiques, cafés, bars and restaurants invite you to browse and spend some time here. The savoir vivre takes place against a backdrop lit up in all the pastel shades of the Caribbean. Fort Napoleon is set high above the bay and your climb up to it is rewarded by a spectacular panoramic view. On the other side of the island, the Plage de Pompierre invites you to enjoy a dip in the sea and sunbathe on the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Sat Mar 13 — Day under full sails

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Sun Mar 14 — Gustavia, St. Barthélemy

St. Barthélemy, affectionately known as St. Barths by most, already had many "owners" before the Lesser Antilles were acquired by France in 1877. When the first estate was acquired by the banker David Rockefeller in 1957, the island's future was finally sealed. It became a refuge for the international jet set and an elegant holiday paradise for many Hollywood stars. For over 40 years, St. Barths has cultivated a luxurious lifestyle with a Caribbean laissez-faire approach. You can stroll through the charming main town of Gustavia, whose beautifully restored houses and colonial facades look out over the sea with its elegant superyachts, browse in the shops for precious items, or enjoy a sundowner in the picturesque harbor surrounded by clusters of high class bars and restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Mon Mar 5 — Philipsburg, St. Maarten | Disembark | Return to USA

Dutch in the south, French in the north – on St. Maarten you will find an unusual piece of Europe in the middle of the Caribbean. Because of the natural salt deposits, the Dutch West India Company once claimed the island for itself and – according to legend – divided the island up in 1648 after a drinking competition with the French. In the colorful port city of Philipsburg, a day at the beach can be perfectly combined with a stroll through town: From the fine sandy Great Bay Beach it is only a stone's throw to the Boardwalk with its restaurants and to the boutiques of the small city center. (B)