Let us take you to some of the loveliest and untouched islands in the glorious West Indies. With so many ships sailing in the Caribbean Sea you might well ask what is so different about our trips. Well, for a start we have chartered the magnificent sailing ship, Sea Cloud II which is in a class of her own and with a maximum of just 94 passengers we are able to visit many islands where today’s cruising juggernauts are unable to enter. There is something quite magical about exploring the islands of the Caribbean Sea aboard a tall ship and experiencing the elation of travelling under sail as we island hop through the West Indies.
Having operated voyages in the region for many years aboard Sea Cloud II we know the waters between Barbados and Antigua provide the perfect sailing conditions for her and we have therefore planned the itinerary to ensure ample sailing time allowing you to relax on deck in the warmth and enjoy the majesty of the vessel combined with plenty of time to discover the idyllic islands, swim in the Caribbean Sea, beachcomb, birdwatch and enjoy the colourful flora which makes this area an ideal location for Sea Cloud II.
During our island hopping adventure we will explore some of the most beautiful tropical isles, many still untouched by the hands of mass tourism. Every island is different, each with its own character, some mountainous and lush, some low lying and arid, but all with their own distinct charm. Each island we visit will offer the opportunity to experience something new and unique, and by and large we will head for the smaller and less visited places. After all, the major delight of a trip aboard Sea Cloud II is to drop anchor off an idyllic island and enjoy the beauty and peace of the surroundings as far away from the crowds as possible. From time to time we will cross in the wake of some of the vast, 3000 plus passenger cruise ships which ply the waters between the more developed islands. At such times we will appreciate even more how fortunate we are to be enjoying this idyllic corner of the world aboard a ship that embodies the spirit and best traditions of the sea. To be on deck when the sails are fully extended as we navigate through the West Indies is a marvellous experience. The forces of nature and ingenuity of man combining in the most natural of ways allows us to experience the thrill of sailing and a form of transport that has existed since the earliest of times.
Sea Cloud II
Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines the timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. The 32,000 square feet of sails are set by hand which is a truly magical sight; she really is the most exquisite of vessels.
26th January Itinerary
Day 1 London to Barbados.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to Sea Cloud II for embarkation before we set sail this evening.
Day 2 Bequia, Grenadines.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at sea before arriving in Bequia over lunch. We have the afternoon on this delightful Grenadine island which is totally unspoilt and a place of pure escapism with a charming old-world atmosphere. Only seven miles by two it is a long way from the well beaten tourist track, a serene and peaceful island with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. We will use the Zodiacs to land at Port Elizabeth where we have time to explore at our own pace or wander to a nearby beach. Those feeling active may wish to make their way to Fort Hamilton offering views over the bay.
Day 3 Soufriere, St Lucia.
St Lucia is a splendidly rugged island of towering mountains, lush green valleys and acres of banana plantations. Due to its strategic position, it was fought over repeatedly by the French and British and changed hands fourteen times. We will anchor off the island in sight of its best-known feature, the twin peaks of the Pitons, which rise dramatically from the sea to more than 2400 feet. In the nearby town of Soufriere we can visit the bubbling Sulphur springs, part of a low lying volcano which erupted thousands of years ago. Our tour will also include the splendid botanical gardens. Back on board, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at sea.
Day 4 Cabrits, Dominica.
Stepping back in time, the island of Dominica is still the primitive garden that Columbus first sighted in 1493. An area of tropical rainforests, it has flowers of incredible beauty and animals that exist nowhere else in the world. We arrive this afternoon in the small port of Cabrits, just below the national park and the former British garrison of Fort Shirley, which successfully repelled a French attack during the Trafalgar campaign in 1805. Those feeling active can climb to the fort to explore the ruins, visit the small museum and maybe wander the surrounding trails on the lookout for birds, hermit crabs and lizards. The afternoon is free to explore the nearby area and maybe take a swim from one of the beaches.
Day 5 Deshaies, Guadeloupe.
This morning we anchor off the north-west coast at the town of Deshaies which is also the fictional setting of Honore from the television series “Death in Paradise”. After breakfast we will drive to the nearby Botanical Gardens, an exceptional 12 acre park featuring tropical flora, palm trees, waterscapes and parrot aviary. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to relax on board, explore the town or maybe enjoy some time on one of the nearby beaches.
Day 6 Little Bay, Montserrat.
Ask any Caribbean connoisseur about their favourite places and Montserrat will always be high on the list. Following the damaging volcanic eruptions of 1995 and 2010, much of the island has now returned to normal. Learn about the indigenous flora and fauna at the Botanical Gardens before we visit the volcano observatory and learn how the islanders coped with the devastation it caused. From Richmond hill we can see the impact of the eruption before walking through the buried city of Plymouth itself. We also see some of the untouched areas which are as beautiful as ever. Return to the ship and spend the afternoon sailing.
Day 7 Charlestown, Nevis.
This morning we will land by tender on one of the loveliest and least developed islands on the Leewards. British naval history is linked with most of the Leeward Islands and on Nevis the connection is particularly interesting. It was here that Nelson met Fanny Nesbit and later married her in the old Montpelier House, on the site where a hotel now stands. Prince William, later to become William IV, who was under Nelson’s command, attended the wedding and gave the bride away. The island is also the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America. Our tour of the island will include Hamilton’s Museum, the Botanical Gardens and the Fig Tree Church. This afternoon we hope to find a bay in order to enjoy a swim from the ship.
Day 8 Basseterre, St Kitts.
We will make a landing this morning on the delightful island of St Kitts. This lovely island has it all, restful green fields of sugar cane plantations, rainforests and long stretches of uncrowded beaches. The atmosphere here is wonderfully relaxed and full of old-world charm. Choose to either wander the streets of Basseterre with its colonial buildings or see the impressive UNESCO fortress at Brimstone Hill. This 18th century British garrison played a key role in the battles with the French and is situated on a hill offering fine views over to Nevis. This afternoon we continue our journey sailing to the British Virgin Islands.
Days 9 & 10 British Virgin Islands.
These islands are recognised throughout the seafaring world as one of the finest sailing areas. The 36 islands and cays sit in a dazzling turquoise sea surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. We have a day and a half here and will drop anchor and use our Zodiacs or local tenders to explore. We may make calls at the islands of Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke, enjoy island drives and allow ample time to relax on the beautiful beaches and swim in the clear waters.
Day 11 Gustavia, St Barthelemy.
We arrive over lunch at this tiny French West Indian island which is proud of its reputation as a stylish and exclusive tropical resort. It is a very top-drawer place and the island’s capital of Gustavia, where the tenders will take us ashore this afternoon, offers gourmet restaurants, street cafés and smart shops which would not be out of place on the French Riviera.
Day 12 St John’s, Antigua to London.
Disembark after breakfast for an island drive which will include the beautifully restored 18th century dockyard in English Harbour and see the impressive collection of restored historic buildings which were occupied by the British Navy from 1707 till 1899. After lunch in a local restaurant we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 13 London.
Arrive this morning.
6th February Itinerary
Day 1 London to Antigua.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to Sea Cloud II and embark. Relax on board as we moor overnight.
Day 2 St John’s, Antigua.
Antigua was one of the main British Naval bases in the Windward Islands. A morning island drive will include the beautifully restored 18th century dockyard in English Harbour and the impressive collection of restored historic buildings which were occupied by the British Navy from 1707 until 1899. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon under sail.
Day 3 Gustavia, St Barthelemy.
Spend the morning on this tiny French West Indian island which is proud of its reputation as a stylish and exclusive tropical resort. It is a very top-drawer place and the island’s capital of Gustavia, where the tenders will take us ashore, offers gourmet restaurants, street cafés and smart shops which would not be out of place on the French Riviera. Spend time to explore at your own pace before we sail in the early afternoon.
Days 4 & 5 British Virgin Islands.
These islands are recognised throughout the seafaring world as one of the finest sailing areas. The 36 islands and cays sit in a dazzling turquoise sea surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. We have a day and a half here and will drop anchor and use our Zodiacs or local tenders to explore. We may make calls at the islands of Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke, enjoy island drives and allow ample time to relax on the beautiful beaches and swim in the clear waters.
Day 6 Basseterre, St Kitts.
After a morning sailing we will make a landing this afternoon on the delightful island of St Kitts. This lovely island has it all, restful green fields of sugar cane plantations, rainforests and long stretches of uncrowded beaches. The atmosphere here is wonderfully relaxed and full of old-world charm. Choose to either wander the streets of Basseterre with its colonial buildings or see the impressive UNESCO fortress at Brimstone Hill. This 18th century British garrison played a key role in the battles with the French and is situated on a hill offering fine views over to Nevis.
Day 7 Charlestown, Nevis.
This morning we will sail the short distance to Nevis, and land by tender on one of the loveliest and least developed islands on the Leewards. British naval history is linked with most of the Leeward Islands and on Nevis the connection is particularly interesting. It was here that Nelson met Fanny Nesbit and later married her in the old Montpelier House, on the site where a hotel now stands. Prince William, later to become William IV, who was under Nelson’s command, attended the wedding and gave the bride away. The island is also the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America. Our tour of the island will include Nelson’s Museum, Hamilton’s museum and the Fig Tree Church. This afternoon is free to explore further at your own pace.
Day 8 Little Bay, Montserrat.
Ask any Caribbean connoisseur about their favourite places and Montserrat will always be high on the list. Following the damaging volcanic eruptions of 1995 and 2010, much of the island has now returned to normal. Learn about the indigenous flora and fauna at the Botanical gardens before we visit the volcano observatory and learn how the islanders coped with the devastation it caused. From Richmond hill we can see the impact of the eruption before walking through the buried city of Plymouth itself. We also see some of the untouched areas which are as beautiful as ever. Return to the ship and spend the afternoon sailing.
Day 9 Deshaies, Guadeloupe.
This morning we anchor off the north-west coast of Guadeloupe at the town of Deshaies which is also the fictional setting of Honore from the television series “Death in Paradise”. After breakfast we will drive to the nearby Botanical Gardens, an exceptional 12 acre park featuring tropical flora, palm trees, waterscapes
and parrot aviary. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to explore the town or maybe relax on one of the nearby beaches.
Day 10 Cabrits, Dominica.
Stepping back in time, the island of Dominica is still the primitive garden that Columbus first sighted in 1493. An area of tropical rainforests, it has flowers of incredible beauty and animals that exist nowhere else in the world. We arrive this afternoon in the small port of Cabrits, just below the national park and the former British garrison of Fort Shirley, which successfully repelled a French attack during the Trafalgar campaign in 1805. Those feeling active can climb to the fort to explore the ruins, visit the small museum and maybe wander the surrounding trails on the lookout for birds, hermit crabs and lizards. The afternoon is free to explore the nearby area and maybe take a swim from one of the beaches.
Day 11 Soufriere, St Lucia.
St Lucia is a splendidly rugged island of towering mountains, lush green valleys and acres of banana plantations. Because of its strategic position, it was fought over repeatedly by the French and British and changed hands fourteen times. Arriving at lunchtime we will anchor off the island in sight of its best-known feature, the twin peaks of the Pitons, which rise dramatically from the sea to more than 2400 feet. In the nearby town of Soufriere we can visit the bubbling Sulphur springs, part of a low lying volcano which erupted thousands of years ago. Our tour will also include the splendid botanical gardens.
Day 12 Bequia, Grenadines.
Spend the morning on this delightful Grenadine island which is totally unspoilt and a place of pure escapism with a charming old-world atmosphere. Only seven miles by two it is a long way from the well beaten tourist track, a serene and peaceful island with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. We will use the Zodiacs to land at Port Elizabeth where we have time to explore at our own pace or wander to a nearby beach. Those feeling active may wish to make their way to Fort Hamilton offering views over the bay. Our last afternoon will be under sail on our way to Barbados.
Day 13 Barbados to London.
Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands, with Atlantic surf on the east coast and sparkling Caribbean waters on the west coast. We disembark this morning and will take an island drive including visits to the historic 17th century Sunbury Plantation House and the impressive St John’s Church. After lunch there will be some free time before transferring to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 14 London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
26th January Itinerary
26 January to 7 February 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Category E Deluxe double | Fully Booked | |
Category D Deluxe double | Fully Booked | |
Category C Deluxe double | Fully Booked | |
Category B Junior Suite | Fully Booked | |
Category A Luxury Owner's Suite | Fully Booked | |
Category F Stateroom for sole use | Fully Booked | |
Category E Deluxe double for sole use | Fully Booked |
6th February Itinerary
6 to 19 February 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Category E Deluxe double | Fully Booked | |
Category D Deluxe double | Fully Booked | |
Category C Deluxe double | Fully Booked | |
Category B Junior Suite | Fully Booked | |
Category A Luxury Owner's Suite | Fully Booked | |
Category F Stateroom for sole use | Fully Booked | |
Category E Deluxe double for sole use | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCSCII260125/SCSCII060225
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 11 or 12 nights aboard Sea Cloud II on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • Guest Speaker • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Sea Cloud II
Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines the timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. The 32,000 square feet of sails are set by hand which is a truly magical sight; she really is the most exquisite of vessels.
Travelling with You
-
Vice Admiral Peter Hudson
Peter Hudson had a 36-year career in the Royal Navy, serving in a large number of ships deployed across the globe. A career Executive Officer and navigation specialist, he commanded three frontline warships including the frigate HMS NORFOLK in 1996-98, and the assault ship HMS ALBION in 2002-04. He undertook a variety of roles ashore from teaching young officers how to navigate by the sun and stars, to heading the Royal Navy’s finance and strategic planning directorate in the Ministry of Defence. On promotion to Rear Admiral, he served as the UK’s Commander of Maritime Forces and also led the European Union’s counter piracy operation off Somalia during the height of the crisis in 2009/10 As a Vice Admiral, he was head of all NATO’s maritime forces leading multinational operations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. He retired from the Royal Navy in 2016 and now works in the UK defence industry. His seagoing career stimulated a lifelong passion for maritime and military history; he is a trustee of the Mary Rose Trust which conserves Henry VIII’s flagship in Portsmouth and a Commissioner of the Commonwealth Wargraves Commission.
Vice Admiral Peter Hudson will be on the following tour dates: 26 January to 7 February 2025 -
Rear Admiral Roy Clare CBE DL
Drawing on a lifetime at sea and twenty years’ experience heading world-class collections in two leading institutions - north and south of the equator - Roy brings a unique combination of deep professional insight and a passion for history. He served worldwide in the Royal Navy, from Junior Seaman to Rear Admiral. He was second in command to His Majesty King Charles III in HMS Bronington in 1976. His own commands included destroyers, the aircraft carrier Invincible and Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He took early retirement from the navy in 2000 to become the Director (CEO) of the National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Later, he became the Director (CEO) of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand. Currently, he is a non-executive director and trustee of several charities. An active yachtsman, Roy took part in the first Whitbread Round the World yacht race in 1973 and he has participated in many ocean races, including the Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart. Nowadays he sails purely for pleasure in his own boat, mainly in British waters. He and his wife Sarah – an Anglican Minister – live in Tollesbury, Essex, and have three adult children and two granddaughters. In 2007 Roy was made CBE ‘for services to museums’ and awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Greenwich. In 2022 he was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Essex.
Rear Admiral Roy Clare CBE DL will be on the following tour dates: 6 to 18 February 2025
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