My Caribbean Sailing Adventures with Sea Cloud Cruises on Sea Cloud Spirit
My weeklong Caribbean cruise on Sea Cloud Spirit featured amazing sunsets each evening. (Photo by Mike Hicks)
We pulled away from the pier in San Juan, drifting slowly past the El Morro Fort and into the open waters of the Caribbean Sea with only the twinkling stars, a shining moon and lights from Old San Juan breaking the darkness of night.
It wasn’t long before the rhythmic sounds waves, warm Caribbean breezes and swaying motion of the ship let us know that our sailing adventure was under way. This would be a voyage that not only brought us to idyllic and charming islands, but also transported us back in time, to an era of classic seafaring travel.
I was already switched on and ready for my week aboard Sea Cloud Spirit.
Sea Cloud Spirit is a true windjammer sailing ship. It carries up to 136 passengers, and we sailed with 80 cruisers onboard for a weeklong trip in the Caribbean. (Photo by John Roberts)
Sea Cloud Cruises, renowned for its fleet of three traditional sailing ships, brought its newest and most-modern ship, Sea Cloud Spirit, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a series of idyllic Caribbean itineraries.
Sea Cloud Spirit had four January departures to some of the most breathtaking and intimate destinations in the Caribbean. This move is part of the company’s effort to attract more North American travelers to experience the thrill of small-ship sailing. I was onboard for the second of these voyages, and this was our schedule for a week of sailing under blues skies and days filled with sunshine and 80-degree temps.
On my cruise I was happy to enjoy plenty of relaxation, gourmet dining and adventure, surrounded by fellow travelers who share a love for small-ship cruising powered by billowing white sails. With a diverse group of 80 travelers onboard — mostly from North America with a handful of Europeans — the experience was both intimate and engaging.
I met several people who live on the island of Puerto Rico who said they had been excited for the arrival of this special new cruise ship to San Juan. It was a great chance for them to be able to simply drive to the port and join a cruise. Many said this was the kind of small ship (Spirit carries up to 136 cruisers) they prefer instead of the mega cruise ships they usually see pulling into to port in San Juan.
Our Caribbean Cruise Itinerary
Sea Cloud Spirit visited a different uncrowded and beautiful island destination each day. (Photo by John Roberts)
Our trip was a journey through the Lesser Antilles and British Virgin Islands, with port stops including:
San Juan, Puerto Rico (Embarkation)
North Sound, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The Bight Bay, Norman Island, BVI
Gustavia, St. Barthelemy (St. Barts)
St. John’s, Antigua
Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Each destination offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural experiences. This cruise was a fantastic winter getaway, allowing me to escape the sub-freezing temps I would have faced back home in Colorado.
Sea Cloud Offers a Real Sailing Experience
Cruisers can climb the ropes and up the mast on Sea Cloud. We had fun scaling the heights just like real sailors on Sea Cloud Spirit. (Photo by John Roberts)
Unlike motorized sailing yachts, Sea Cloud Spirit is a true windjammer, complete with three masts and 32 sails that are hoisted manually by a crew of experienced sailors. Passengers gathered daily to watch as the sailors scaled the masts, adjusting the rigging to capture the Caribbean winds and power our journey. Adventurous cruisers also were allowed to climb the ropes, and about two dozen of us took part, ascending the masts for stunning panoramic views of the open sea.
While the first night at sea brought some rough waves, the remainder of the journey was smooth sailing, with gentle rocking lulling passengers to sleep each night.
Yacht-Style Luxury and Relaxation
Sea Cloud Spirit features four passenger decks, with the emphasis on getting outside onto the Lido Deck for all the views and to enjoy the beautiful weather in the Caribbean (Photo by John Roberts)
This is an unhurried, yacht-style cruise experience. The ship features four passenger decks designed for comfort and relaxation. The Sun Deck is filled with plush loungers and clamshell covered daybeds, perfect for getting some sun, enjoying a morning coffee while watching the sunrise, reading a book or even taking a nap. A well-equipped fitness center located on the Sun Deck offers treadmills, bikes, free weights, and yoga mats for those like to stick to their fitness regimens while traveling.
The rock duo ZigZag came onboard for an evening show when we visited St. Barts. (Photo by John Roberts)
The Lido Deck is the social hub, featuring an open-air dining area and bar space. This is the main social space on Sea Cloud Spirit, and cruisers love to roam the teak decks from early morning until late at night. The lido deck is a spot for gourmet meals, afternoon tea and sunset cocktails. The atmosphere is laid-back yet elegant, with cruisers savoring the fresh ocean air while indulging in grilled seafood, steaks, and tropical cocktails.
A Celebration of Puerto Rican Cuisine
We were able to enjoy several meals outside, including a lovely barbecue dinner that featured tasty grilled seafood and meats. (Photo by John Roberts)
A highlight of the cruise was the culinary program, featuring guest chef Julie Carrion, one of four Puerto Rican chefs participating in the culinary-themed programs for the inaugural San Juan-based season for Sea Cloud Spirit. Carrion delighted our taste buds with a special Puerto Rican cuisine, including a barbecue lunch and themed dinner showcasing vibrant flavors such as pumpkin soup with toasted pepitas, red snapper with plantain mousseline, and chocolate rum torte.
The team put out a wonderful brunch during one morning while we were sailing. (Photo by John Roberts)
Dining aboard Sea Cloud Spirit was an elegant affair, with options ranging from four-course plated meals to casual outdoor barbecues. The menu blended classic German cuisine with Caribbean flavors, offering dishes such as duck breast, grilled octopus, vegetable jambalaya and fresh seafood.
The ship’s main Restaurant also was used for breakfast buffets and some of our dinners.
Wellness and Enrichment Activities
I had a great time in activity manager Miriam’s morning yoga classes. We got up early with other cruisers to see the sun rise, which was a brilliant way to start our days. (Photo by Nicole Kania)
Sea Cloud Spirit has an elevated program for active travelers and people seeking a wellness retreat. I cruised with Sea Cloud on the ship Sea Cloud II in Greece, and this ship featured a small gym.
However, Spirit has so much more to offer. An activity manager offers daily yoga sessions and other classes on the Sun Deck, as well as guided hikes and walks while ashore. Our activity manager Miriam led an exhilarating sunrise salutation yoga class that I tried to join each morning; it was a great way to start the day.
I also mentioned that the ship has a well-equipped gym, so you can get in fantastic workouts during your trip.
The ship’s spa facility, though, will be a highlight for many.
The spa facility on Sea Cloud Spirit features a sauna and several other nice amenities. (Photo by John Roberts)
The spa is located on Deck 2, and it features a sauna, steam room, foot baths and a relaxation lounge. You can pick from a nice selection of treatments, as well, including multiple massage styles, facials and other wellness therapies -- providing a rejuvenating escape from daily life.
Lecturer Stephen Weston gave entertaining and informative chats about sea turtles and marine biodiversity during our cruise. (Photo by John Roberts)
Our cruise also provided engaging enrichment activities, including chats from our passionate guest lectures Stephen Weston from Costa Rica and Ingo Bauernfiend from Germany. We learned about the fascinating history of the Lesser Antilles and had engaging talks about the region’s marine biodiversity and sea turtles.
We also saw musical performances by Jojo Wendt, a renowned German pianist, and a rock and roll duo called ZigZag who came onboard for an evening show during our time in St. Barts.
A Lineup of Uncrowded Destinations
Cruisers enjoyed our visit to The Baths at Virgin Gorda, where we had a nice hike around the uncrowded natural wonder. (Photo by John Roberts)
Each stop on the itinerary offered unique adventures, from secluded beaches to historic landmarks:
At Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, we arrived in the afternoon. I picked a shore excursion to see The Baths, a stunning natural formation of giant granite boulders creating sea caves and pools right at a beach area. This is a national park, and it was amazing to get to hike through the boulders without the crowds that you would typically see in the mornings and when other cruisers from the big cruise ships usually crowd this attraction.
At Norman Island, also in the BVIs, Sea Cloud sets up a marvelous beach day for its cruisers.
I took a fun hike into the hillside on Norman Island. This yielded a wonderful view of Sea Cloud Spirit at anchor in the bay. (Photo by John Roberts)
The tiny uncrowded island features a lodge that Sea Cloud reserved just for us, and we enjoyed a steak and lobster meal, as well as a full day to enjoy in paradise to the strains of the steel drum music.
We had access to sun loungers, an open bar, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking and hiking.
In St. Barts, I spent the day swimming, hiking and snorkeling, with encounters with sea turtles and massive barracudas that are ever-present in the waters near Gustavia. I recommend checking out Sheel Beach, which is a short walk from the main street and marina in town. You’ll also be drawn to the dozens of high-end boutiques and high-quality restaurants in St. Barts.
In Antigua, I joined guided tour of the island. We were only. In port for four hours, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., so I wanted to see as many highlights as possible. The tour visited historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a museum, shops, restaurants and marina.
This is part of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. We also went to Shirley Heights Lookout, which is in parkland that covers a hillside area with amazing panoramic views over the marina and dockyard. The tour also stopped by a historic church and beautiful resort so we could enjoy a Caribbean cocktail before heading back to Sea Cloud Spirit.
Our final port stop was at St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This island is a short distance from the more populated and highly touristed St. Thomas. St. John, though, is wonderfully serene, with the 60 percent of the island designated as part of Virgin Islands National Park.
I decided to explore independently during our afternoon at St. John because this is a great destination to be active. I took a scenic two-mile hike on Caneel Trail to Honeymoon Beach, where I spend a few hours swimming in the blue waters and relaxing on the soft sands. I left enough time, though, to grab a delicious craft beer, Juicy Booty Hazy IPA, at St. John Brewers Taproom.
Our International Family on the High Seas
The ship’s cosmopolitan ambiance was enhanced by its international crew and passengers. Officers hailed from Germany, while the sailing crew included members from the Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, and Croatia.
We also had a nice mix of cruisers from all over the map. Travelers all bonded over a shared passion for adventure and new experiences, and Sea Cloud provides a fantastic environment to make new memories and meaningful new friendships.
With open-seating dining, passengers mingled freely at meals. This added to the voyage’s warm and relaxed yacht-like atmosphere.
The Caribbean’s Warm Embrace
Sailing in mid-January, the Caribbean provided perfect weather, with temperatures ranging from 78 to 84 degrees each day. The combination of serene ocean breezes, stunning sunrises and sunsets, enriching destinations and relaxed onboard experience made this voyage an ideal winter escape.
While some scheduled activities, such as the popular Sea Cloud photo safari (little boat tour around the perimeter of Sea Cloud Spirit to take photos of the ship with its sails up) and open-water swim off the side of the ship, did not take place because weather conditions, passengers still enjoyed ample opportunities on shore for beach time and water sports.
Small-Ship Cruising at Its Finest
Sailing on Sea Cloud Spirit blends luxury and traditional maritime adventure. The ship’s authentic sailing charm alongside the tranquil and inviting ports of call make this a special voyage for those who love the sea but cringe at the thought of mass cruise ship crowds.
Our week with Sea Cloud Spirit encapsulates the romance of sailing in the heart of the Caribbean.