Sailing St. Lucia, Dominica and Beyond Aboard Sea Cloud II

Arrive in Barbados and settle into your cabin aboard the elegant <i>Sea Cloud II</i>. Cast off this evening, and enjoy dinner and our first Caribbean sunset.<b>Arrival Time:</b> Arrive before 4:00 p.m. local time. <br /><b>Arrival City:</b> Bridgetown, Barbados 

Begin the morning on deck, where sailors climb aloft to raise <i>Sea Cloud II</i>'s sails by hand. Enjoy a full day under sail on the Caribbean Sea. Relax with a book, photograph the ship's exquisite details, and attend talks by our experts on the natural history and culture of the islands that await.

Just three miles long and one mile wide, Union Island is nicknamed "the Tahiti of the West Indies" thanks to its dramatic volcanic silhouette. After a day at sea, stretch your legs with a walk on Chatham Bay’s beach, go for a swim in its turquoise water, and admire <i>Sea Cloud II</i> anchored off the coast. Enjoy a BBQ lunch on the bay and indulge in some local flavors before setting sail this afternoon. As we make our way toward Saint Lucia, learn about the region from our staff.

Arrive at St. Lucia and anchor under the island's iconic twin peaks, the Pitons, which rise dramatically above the sea. After exploring the fishing port of Soufrière, drive into St. Lucia's active volcanic crater and discover the otherworldly landscape of mud pools and sulfur springs. Visit the tropical Mamiku botanical gardens—backed by the gorgeous Diamond Falls—and delve into the grounds’ complex history, which dates back to the reign of Louis XIV. Spend the afternoon sailing toward Dominica.

Spend the day exploring Dominica, known as “the nature island” for its spectacular beauty and many protected reserves. Hike through enchanting rainforest. Join our historian in exploring the ruins of Fort Shirley, an 18th-century British garrison, and learn about Dominica's turbulent colonial history. Go for a refreshing swim before we cast off in time to enjoy a sunset at sea.

Distinctly French in character and culture, the shops, homes, and people of Les Saintes are colorful, tasteful, and delightful. Enjoy picture-postcard views from Fort Napoléon, with its cactus garden, iguanas, and maritime museum. Then stroll through French colonial Terre-de-Haut and swim from a nearby sandy beach. Weather permitting, we set sail as the winds fill the sails in a glorious spectacle.

With a mountainous interior and rugged coastline of indented bays, St. Kitts is a striking island. A bit off the beaten path, the island has a very relaxed, local feel and is extremely accommodating to travelers. Spend the morning ashore exploring Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as Romney Manor Gardens, and a Caribbean batik workshop. Back on board, enjoy the captain’s farewell dinner to celebrate the end of a fantastic voyage.

Disembark <i>Sea Cloud II</i> this morning after breakfast for flights home. <b>Departure Time:</b> Depart after 12:00 p.m. local time.<br /><b>Departure City:</b> Philipsburg, St. Maarten