spreads out in the rigging. Each sail is hoisted by hand, each rope pulled by hand, as in days gone by, and passengers b e c o m e witnesses to a centuries-old ballet. When the white sails finally fill with wind, a thrill runs through the ship. The hum of the
the stars. Fresh fish and lobster are on the menu, depending on the stopovers. The service is friendly and professional, in keeping with the spirit of the ship. The well-being of each guest is the priority. The Caribbean itinerary, from Guadeloupe to Saint Martin, via Saint Lucia, Grenada, Martinique, Les Saintes and Saint Barth, offers a host of attractive stopovers. But these are only stages, light punctuations in a score where the main theme remains the SEA CLOUD II. Unforgettable moments unfold during entire days under sail, when the ship glides along with no other driving force than the wind, when passengers let themselves be lulled by this golden age of sailing. After dusk, which is brief in these latitudes, the sky,
A
s soon as you step onto the gangway of the SEA CLOUD II, you know that you are not boarding a cruise ship like any other, but
engines fades away, replaced by the sound of the wind and the steady lapping of the water against the hull. The SEA CLOUD II moves forward majestically in a hushed silence. On deck, you can enjoy a cup of
a genuine sailing ship, heir to the great maritime traditions. With its three masts and 23 sails deployed by hand, it embodies a rare luxury: that of offering modern comfort while bringing the tradition of ancestral navigation to life before our eyes. The SEA CLOUD II can accommodate just under a hundred passengers. This intimate setting changes everything: you are a privileged guest, a member of a club whose members have not arrived there by chance. The elegant, cosy cabins combine refined wood panelling with marble bathrooms. The communal areas extend this cosy atmosphere: a piano in the lounge, a library rich in maritime works, comfortable armchairs where you can meet for a drink, enjoy a concert or a lecture. But the real show takes place on deck and begins when the crew
“SAILING UNDER SAIL IS A RETURN TO A BLISSFUL SLOWLESS.”
coffee while gazing at the horizon and watching the occasional sightings of large fish, dolphins or seabirds hunting in the vicinity. Some make a fleeting stopover on board. You close your eyes, lulled by the rocking of the waves. You suddenly realise that the sea is your true travelling companion. The cuisine on board extends this experience: menus inspired by Mediterranean and Caribbean traditions, carefully selected wines, dinners sometimes served under
of a rare purity, reveals itself; the masts stand out as black silhouettes against the starry vault. It is then that one realises how fortunate one is to be experiencing something that belongs to the realm of poetry. SEA CLOUD II is a lesson in freedom, a gentle reminder that travelling is sometimes less about arriving somewhere than about getting there, savouring every moment of an exceptional journey.
www.seacloud.com
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CLASS & RELAX LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE ~ 2025
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