The capital of Dutch St. Maarten stretches about a mile (1½ km) along an isthmus between Great Bay and the Salt Pond and has five parallel streets. Most of the village’s dozens of shops and restaurants are on Front Street, narrow and cobblestone, closest to Great Bay. It’s generally congested when cruise ships are in port, because of its many duty-free shops and several casinos. Little lanes called steegjes connect Front Street with Back Street, which has fewer shops and considerably less congestion. Along the beach is a ½-mile-long (1-km-long) boardwalk with restaurants and several Wi-Fi hot spots.Wathey Square (pronounced watty) is in the heart of the village. Directly across from the square are the town hall and the courthouse, in a striking white building with cupola. The structure was built in 1793 and has served as the commander’s home, a fire station, a jail, and a post office. The streets surrounding the square are lined with hotels, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafés. The Captain Hodge Pier, just off the square, is a good spot to view Great Bay and the beach that stretches alongside.
Jost Van Dyke, four miles long, is truly known as the ‘barefoot island’. The smallest of the British Virgin Islands, it is known as a popular destination for yachts and is celebrated for its casual lifestyle, protected anchorages, fine beaches and beachfront restaurants and bars. The island has fewer than 200 inhabitants and they are widely known as a welcoming people. The island’s name conjures up its rich, colorful past. Jost Van Dyke is said to have been named for an early Dutch settler, a former pirate. At Great Harbour, Little Harbour, and White Bay there are safe, protected bays and pristine beaches shaded with coconut palms and seagrape trees. Discover inviting shops selling local treasures, restaurants, and bars. ‘The Painkiller’, one of the Caribbean’s most popular drinks, originated at the Soggy Dollar Bar. Foxy’s and Gertrude’s in White Bay are renowned for drinks made with the island’s famous rum, frosty beers, and tales of pirates and sunken treasure. Explore Jost Van Dyke’s history in the vegetation-covered ruins of centuries-old sugar mills, or on the old trails that crisscross the island. Revel in the natural beauty of the pristine, untouched beaches. Hike up to the highest spot on the island, Majohnny Point, and take in a stunning 360 degree view of the Caribbean. Relax in the natural ‘bubble pool’, a popular tourist attraction. Jost Van Dyke conjures up images of what the British Virgin Islands may have looked like many years ago.
Gorda Sound is a gateway harbour in the British Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. The islands form part of the British overseas territory and benefit from a tropical climate. Gorda Sound is situated between one of the main islands, Virgin Gorda and Mosquito Island, Colquhoun Reef and Prickly Pear Island. From here, visitors can enjoy the Indian heritage of its namesake Mosquito Island, a history of island tourism from Drake’s Anchorage Resort and spend some time relaxing in picturesque surroundings on Prickly Pear Island. As the British Virgin Islands are a volcanic archipelago, the area benefits from magnificent reefs which are perfect for divers and snorkelers. The islands are also known as a popular yachting destination as much of the area is easily sailed. On the land, visitors will enjoy white sandy beaches to relax on or, for the more adventurous, there are plenty of mountain roads and rainforest-filled landscape to explore.
You can easily explore all of Gustavia during a two-hour stroll. Some shops close from noon to 3 or 4, so plan lunch accordingly, but stores stay open past 7 in the evening. Parking in Gustavia is a challenge, especially during vacation times. A good spot to park is rue de la République, alongside the catamarans, yachts, and sailboats.
The capital of Dutch St. Maarten stretches about a mile (1½ km) along an isthmus between Great Bay and the Salt Pond and has five parallel streets. Most of the village’s dozens of shops and restaurants are on Front Street, narrow and cobblestone, closest to Great Bay. It’s generally congested when cruise ships are in port, because of its many duty-free shops and several casinos. Little lanes called steegjes connect Front Street with Back Street, which has fewer shops and considerably less congestion. Along the beach is a ½-mile-long (1-km-long) boardwalk with restaurants and several Wi-Fi hot spots.Wathey Square (pronounced watty) is in the heart of the village. Directly across from the square are the town hall and the courthouse, in a striking white building with cupola. The structure was built in 1793 and has served as the commander’s home, a fire station, a jail, and a post office. The streets surrounding the square are lined with hotels, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafés. The Captain Hodge Pier, just off the square, is a good spot to view Great Bay and the beach that stretches alongside.
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.