Itinerary
Livorno is a gritty city with a long and interesting history. In the early Middle Ages it alternately belonged to Pisa and Genoa. In 1421 Florence, seeking access to the sea, bought it. Cosimo I (1519–74) started construction of the harbor in 1571, putting Livorno on the map. After Ferdinando I de’ Medici (1549–1609) proclaimed Livorno a free city, it became a haven for people suffering from religious persecution; Roman Catholics from England and Jews and Moors from Spain and Portugal, among others, settled here. The Quattro Mori (Four Moors), also known as the Monument to Ferdinando I, commemorates this. (The statue of Ferdinando I dates from 1595, the bronze Moors by Pietro Tacca from the 1620s.)In the following centuries, and particularly in the 18th, Livorno boomed as a port. In the 19th century the town drew a host of famous Britons passing through on their grand tours. Its prominence continued up to World War II, when it was heavily bombed. Much of the town’s architecture, therefore, postdates the war, and it’s somewhat difficult to imagine what it might have looked like before. Livorno has recovered from the war, however, as it’s become a huge point of departure for container ships, as well as the only spot in Tuscany for cruise ships to dock for the day.Most of Livorno’s artistic treasures date from the 17th century and aren’t all that interesting unless you dote on obscure baroque artists. Livorno’s most famous native artist, Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920), was of much more recent vintage. Sadly, there’s no notable work by him in his hometown.There may not be much in the way of art, but it’s still worth strolling around the city. The Mercato Nuovo, which has been around since 1894, sells all sorts of fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, and fish. Outdoor markets nearby are also chock-full of local color. The presence of Camp Darby, an American military base just outside town, accounts for the availability of many American products.If you have time, Livorno is worth a stop for lunch or dinner at the very least.
Calvi, Corsica’s slice of the Riviera, has been described by author Dorothy Carrington as “an oasis of pleasure on an otherwise austere island.” Calvi prospered by supplying products to Genoa; its citizens remained loyal supporters of Genoa long after the rest of the island declared independence. Calvi also claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. During the 18th century the town endured assaults from Corsican nationalists, including celebrated patriot Pasquale Paoli. Today Calvi sees a summertime invasion of tourists, drawn to the 6-km (4-mile) stretch of sandy white beach, impressive citadel overlooking the Old Town, lively restaurants, and buzzing nightlife.
A tourist-friendly town of about 45,000 inhabitants with a distinctly Spanish flavor, Alghero is also known as “Barcelonetta” (little Barcelona). Rich wrought-iron scrollwork decorates balconies and screened windows; a Spanish motif appears in stone portals and bell towers. The town was built and inhabited in the 14th century by the Aragonese and Catalans, who constructed seaside ramparts and sturdy towers encompassing an inviting nucleus of narrow, winding streets with whitewashed palazzi. The native language spoken here is a version of Catalan, not Italian, although you probably have to attend one of the Masses conducted in Algherese (or listen in on stories swapped by older fishermen) to hear it. Besides its historic architectural gems such as the Alghero Cathedral and Palazzo d’Albis, the fortified city is well worth a visit to simply stroll and discover local culture on narrow cobblestone streets. The city also has a reputation to serve great food at reasonable prices.
Located in the South of Corsica, Bonifacio is one of the island’s most beautiful destinations. From its breathtaking views and sandy white islands to its historic citadel, the city is a must visit for anyone travelling to the island.
Tour description Capri, Italy Popular since Roman times when the emperors built their villas on Capri, this island is surely one of the world’s most famous and beautiful spots. Visiting Capri, it is easy to see why the ancient Romans fell in love with this place 2,000 years ago – the craggy mountains, the sea caves and grottos and the brilliantly colored flowers cast a magic spell then and still capture the admiration of today’s travelers. There are sleek yachts moored in the deep blue waters of the bays, and beautiful villas and tiny villages cling to steep slopes. An excellent year-round climate and a breathtaking landscape complete the picture of a storybook island. There are two main villages – Capri Town, site of the popular meeting point “Piazzetta,” and Anacapri, the upper town, dominated by 1,750-foot-high Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island. Both remain the “in” scene for international travelers. By spending millions on comfort and style, the island has ensured its continuing success. After a trip to upper-level Anacapri, visitors enjoy strolling the narrow, cobbled streets of Capri Town, browsing in chic boutiques and spending time in the Piazzetta with a drink in one of the outdoor cafés. There is a funicular from the main port of Marina Grande to Capri Town; from Anacapri, a chair lift whisks visitors to the top of Monte Solaro for a spellbinding view. The magical Blue Grotto can be reached by boat from Marina Grande, but entrance into the grotto depends for the most part on sea conditions. Please Note: For your convenience, the shore excursions offered for this port of call are available to reserve in advance at www.silversea.com until August 8 , as well as offered for purchase on board, unless otherwise noted in the description. Going Ashore in Capri Pier Information The ship is scheduled to anchor off Capri’s main port, Marina Grande. Guests will be taken ashore via local tenders, arriving at the pier just a short distance from the funicular to Capri Town. Taxis and minibuses are also available near the pier area. Be sure to agree on the fare before starting out. Shopping Capri is a shopping mecca, though by no means inexpensive. Upscale shops and boutiques offer an array of jewelry, designer fashions, resort wear, straw articles and souvenir items. Start from the Piazzetta and the streets fanning out from the square. Some shops may be closed between 12:30/1:00 p.m. and 4:00/4:30 p.m. The local currency is the euro. Cuisine Capri features plenty of open-air eateries in addition to top rated restaurants. Fresh seafood and delicious pasta dishes make for a nice lunch; for a quick meal there are tempting sandwiches and pizza. You might enjoy a hearty Italian table wine with lunch. Other Sights Capri Town La Piazzetta is the main square of Capri Town located just opposite the upper funicular station. The square is an ideal place from where to start exploring or shopping. Sidewalk cafés around the square provide residents and visitors with a popular pastime – people-watching while sipping a drink or enjoying a coffee. Anacapri Reaching Capri’s second town is via local minibus. In addition to numerous souvenir shops and designer boutiques, attractions include Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michele and the chair lift to Monte Solaro. Blue Grotto Boat excursions to the Blue Grotto can be booked locally at Marina Grande. Be aware that it is necessary to transfer into smaller boats in front of the grotto. Also, entrance to the grotto is subject to weather and sea conditions. For this reason, tours to the Blue Grotto are frequently cancelled. Private arrangements are not available in this port.
The largest and most developed of the Aeolians, Lipari welcomes you with distinctive pastel-color houses. Fields of spiky agaves dot the northernmost tip of the island, Acquacalda, indented with pumice and obsidian quarries. In the west is San Calogero, where you can explore hot springs and mud baths. From the red-lava base of the island rises a plateau crowned with a 16th-century castle and a 17th-century cathedral.
The medieval cliff-hanging town of Taormina is overrun with tourists, yet its natural beauty is still hard to dispute. The view of the sea and Mt. Etna from its jagged cactus-covered cliffs is as close to perfection as a panorama can get—especially on clear days, when the snowcapped volcano’s white puffs of smoke rise against the blue sky. Writers have extolled Taormina’s beauty almost since it was founded in the 6th century BC by Greeks from nearby Naxos; Goethe and D. H. Lawrence were among its well-known enthusiasts. The town’s boutique-lined main streets get old pretty quickly, but the many hiking paths that wind through the beautiful hills surrounding Taormina promise a timeless alternative. A trip up to stunning Castelmola (whether on foot or by car) should also be on your itinerary.
Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily’s east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, an active volcano with trails leading up to the summit. The city’s wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell’Elefante statue and richly decorated Catania Cathedral. In the southwest corner of the square, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants.
Our two owner suites follow the tradition in the maritime world of always having their own cabins ready for the ship owners. We have reserved these living areas for those of our guests who appreciate special comfort and cosiness even on board a tall ship. Both light-flooded suites are located on the lidodeck and with their large panoramic windows offer a unique view of the sea even from a four-poster bed. The spacious ambience includes selected individual pieces of furniture, four large cupboards, the fireplace – and last but not least the large bathroom with bathtub and separate shower, marble washstand including the legendary golden fittings.
With their rosewood furniture, stucco elements on the walls and a decorative marble fireplace, the Junior Suites are the epitome of Hanseatic solidity. The simple elegance corresponds in gentle tension with the maritime atmosphere in front of the panorama windows, which offer a view of the vastness of the sea. A separate sitting area and a walk-in closet round off the comfortable ambience. Bathtub, marble washbasin and golden fittings are of course also standard in this category. The junior suites are located on the promenade deck, so that the restaurant, boutique and reception can easily be reached.
This De-Luxe outside cabin combines the comfort and solidity that characterizes the suites with a special maritime cosiness. Thanks to its location in the front area of the promenade deck, the floor plan follows the elegant line of the SEA CLOUD II and thus additionally conveys the feeling of security on a luxury private yacht. The panorama windows offer a wonderful view of the sea.
The three large porthole windows give our De-Luxe Category D outside cabins a special maritime flair. Together with their luxurious yacht ambience, these cabins underline the feeling of being part of an extraordinary journey on an extraordinary ship. Stylish individual pieces of furniture and a beautiful seating area make the spacious room cosy. The six De-Luxe outside cabins are located amidships on the same deck where the massage and cosmetic treatments, the fitness room, the bathing platform and the hospital are located.
These outside cabins on both sides of the cabin deck are the epitome of cosiness on board the SEA CLOUD II. This is where you can retreat, switch off and relax while enjoying the unique luxurious ambience for which our yachts are famous. Like the other cabins, Category E is equipped with TV/DVD, a mini-bar and a safe. An interesting detail: the double bed can be divided into two single beds on request.
This outside cabin on the cabin deck is still modelled on the officers’ cabins as on traditional windjammers and is equipped with an upper and lower berth. Warm woods and a comfortable sitting area radiate a cosy, maritime atmosphere and offer you a cosy retreat. Our recommendation: this cabin is ideal for single travellers.
Guaranteed double cabins: The range of accommodation starts from Cat. F. You will receive your exact cabin number when arriving on board. The allotment for this category is very limited.
In the restaurant you will find tables for couples and groups of four, six and eight. The lido deck is often an inviting place to have lunch or an evening barbecue out in the open air. No matter whether you are sitting inside or outside, you can all enjoy this feast for the senses together in the same sitting. And since you are dining on a tall ship with the character of a private yacht, you are free to choose your place and company at the table. Our culinary creations are sure to impress even the most discerning of connoisseurs – it is easy to see why the SEA CLOUD II was chosen to join the exclusive Chaîne des Rôtisseurs group.
You will find a dining area and Lido Bar on the Lido Deck.
Smaller ships, greater possibilities
Among the many joys of travelling smaller: a quick spin on a zodiac, enjoying the beach barbeques in secluded bays, photo safaris, pausing for a dip in the azure sea. And on selected tours, some exclusive experiences are included – a private concert, an opera house or a palace tour, a culinary visit to a special vineyard, or a front-row seat at a legendary regatta.
Dive in and be active
Whether you want to start your swim directly from the ship or explore the colorful world on the reef – water sports are even more fun under the Caribbean sun. Equipment is available for everyone: Snorkels, fins and stand-up paddles are waiting for you. If you are in the mood for even greater action, let yourself be glided across the crystal clear waters by tubing in the Caribbean.
In the middle of the lido deck you will find the spacious lounge. At certain times you will hear gentle music from the Steinway piano and, on selected cruises, you can listen to some interesting talks.
Also on the Lido Deck, you will find the library on the lido deck which contains selected literature, DVDs, popular board games, the SEA CLOUD II’s intriguing guest book and a laptop with internet access. But this is not just a place to get engrossed in reading; you should also enjoy the breathtaking all-round view of the ship’s forecastle – do not forget that you are on board a majestic tall ship!
To watch the movement of the sails and all the traditional tasks associated with a tall ship is for many people one of the most wonderful experiences on the high seas. On all the decks you will of course find many traditional deckchairs and benches on which you can sit alone or in a small group, gazing out to sea. On the sun deck you will also find two large sun loungers and the bridge. The officers will be happy to welcome you into the command centre – manoeuvres permitting.
Our snorkelling equipment can be taken ashore at any time. The on-board zodiac boats do not only take you ashore and back to the SEA CLOUD II, but are also used to tow the “Fun Island”, our inflatable water sled for those who fancy some high-speed fun! Depending on sea conditions, the swim platform provides direct access to the largest swimming pool in the world: the sea. And in the evening, the lido deck is a wonderful place to wind down with a nice drink. You might also be entertained by our Crew Shanty Choir.
The Lido bar is open daily from 11:00 am. Soft drinks, coffee, tea, water and juices are available all day free of charge.
The Bridge can be located on the Sun Deck.
The Swim Platform is located on the cabin deck.
Fitness enthusiasts can use the 100-metre long lido deck as their running/walking circuit while taking in all the different views which you can expect on board a tall ship. For others, our morning exercise sessions are just the way to start a new day. In the smart fitness studio, you will find dumbbells, bikes, treadmills and step machines for more focused workouts, and the adjoining sauna area will enhance your general well-being.
We provide a range of spa services on board the SEA CLOUD II (massages and beauty treatments at additional cost), using the finest products from Maria Galland.
The chef will happily accommodate special diet requests—please let us know about any requests in advance so that we may prepare.
During the day, and depending on the weather, a sophisticated summer look is suitable. For the evening, we recommend smart-casual wear. We also kindly request that guests refrain from wearing shorts at evening meals. The Captain’s Dinner (an event which normally takes place twice on each trip – once on short cruises) is a time when our guests tend to opt for a more elegant look. We recommend a suit for men and appropriate smart dress for women. Please remember to take some non-slip shoes with you.
Our tall ships SEA CLOUD and SEA CLOUD II are not accessible for all people with disabilities and are not suitable for wheelchair users. Please contact our cruise consultancy for further details.
Smoking is permitted only on the outer decks outside of meal times. We kindly request that smokers take the comfort of other passengers into consideration. Smoking is prohibited on the blue lagoon deck and covered areas of the spanker and lido deck at all times.
A laptop is available for use on board in the lounge (SEA CLOUD) or in the library (SEA CLOUD II). You can use this laptop or your own laptop to connect to the internet (Wi-Fi) using the access code, however please note that there is a charge for this. The code can be obtained from reception or the purser.
Laundry services available on board are limited to washing and ironing. There is no dry-cleaning available. The washing and ironing service is provided at an additional charge and is carried out overnight. For guests with bookings in Cat. A-C (SEA CLOUD) or Cat. A+B (SEA CLOUD II), this service is free of charge. For safety reasons, passengers are not permitted to iron in their cabins.
Children are of course very welcome on our ships, however there is no supervision or entertainment available for children.
We approach the people and their cultures with respect in all the regions we visit, travelling mindfully through the local environment. By doing this, we can bring our guests closer – in the truest sense of the word – to these places, and what makes each one special.
THE WINDJAMMER EXPERIENCE
For you and us alike, the key attraction of our trips is the chance to sail on the open seas.
We therefore take every opportunity to set sail and be propelled by the sheer power of the wind. That is why the captain will sometimes change the route if the weather requires it. On board our SEA CLOUD tall ships, you’ll experience the elements, as many of the day-to-day activities take place outside.
HAVING AS LITTLE IMPACT AS POSSIBLE
When we do have to start the engines, we utilise low-sulphur marine diesel on all three of our windjammers.
For us, this is standard practice. Even the SEA CLOUD, our very first windjammer, was equipped with this technology right from the start. Our motto: to minimise our impact on the environment yet still make a profound and positive impression on those around us.
A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO LIFE ON-BOARD
Avoiding plastic, reducing water usage and protecting the environment.
These are the factors that guide us in the day to day operation of our ships and our ongoing development of eco-friendly alternatives. To cite just one example, our reusable drinks bottles are not only easy on the eye, but also easy on the environment.
QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY
Our ‘small but perfectly formed’ windjammers are able to visit smaller ports, away from the busy routes frequented by large cruise liners.
With a maximum of 64 to 136 passengers, we’re always welcomed in those locations thanks to our approach of visiting local communities rather than overwhelming them. Needless to say, our itineraries also include some classic destinations, though we usually visit these only when the mega-liners have moved on.
BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Procuring supplies locally, working with local, smaller-scale agencies and paying fair prices.
By taking this approach, we see ourselves as a partner for our local service providers, with whom we’ve built relationships based on trust over many years. After all, we want our voyages to benefit both our guests and the communities we visit around the world.
AUTHENTIC CUISINE
Our menus are always a true reflection of the regional cuisine.
This is because our chefs enjoy buying exotic spices, local specialities and freshly caught fish from local markets to bring you – even in a culinary sense – closer to the places we visit.
A MEMBER OF THE FUTOURIS NETWORK
Heading into the future with Futouris.
Preserving the natural and cultural heritage of our world and shaping the future of tourism in a sustainable way is what Futouris stands for. Members of the network are working globally to improve people’s living conditions, preserve biodiversity and protect the environment and climate.
All three ships have a hospital, which is supervised by a ship’s doctor. Medical consultation hours can be found in the daily program. In case of an emergency, the doctor can be reached at any time by calling 911.
- Captain
- Bridge
- Lounge
- Lido Bar
- Lido Deck
- Library
- Luxury Owner Suites
- Restaurant
- Boutique
- Purser
- Reception
- Junior Suites
- De luxe double-bed cabins
- Fitness Area
- Massage and Cosmetics
- Hospital
- Swim Platform
- De luxe double-bed cabins
- Upper/Lower-bed Cabins
Get in touch with our team to start planning
Call and speak to a member of our experienced team today on +44 (0)1491 528 988 or email info@authenticcruises.co.uk.
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