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Goldring Travel Blog – Making Waves

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Goldring Travel’s Sails with Sea Cloud Spirit and Its German Executive Sommelier and a Puerto Rican Guest Chef – January 24, 2025

I have been invited to sail on Sea Cloud Spirit for the third time in about a year. This time, it will be an eight-night Caribbean sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Maarten. You know I love being on this luxury three-masted windjammer sailing ship traveling through the Central American Pacific Coast/Panama Canal and Western Mediterranean. But the Caribbean…especially schlepping from the West Coast? (It is easier and faster to travel to Europe.) 

Well, add Nils Lackner, Sea Cloud’s Executive Sommelier and one of Germany’s top sommeliers, and Mario Pagan, one of Puerto Rico’s top chefs and James Beard Foundation Award winner, and it is pretty compelling.

Sea Cloud Spirit
Sea Cloud Spirit

By the way, this water fun-intensive experience, is truly a working cruise for me. About a week ago, I had the Inspire sleep apnea/anti-snoring device surgically implanted. When I agreed to sail, I hadn’t yet spoken to my surgeon about swimming in the ocean. On the day of my surgery, I asked him. His response was, “Absolutely not. If you get an infection, it could be catastrophic!”  Now, I don’t know about you, but when your surgeon uses the word “catastrophic,” you tend to listen to him…and so I shall!

Sea Cloud Spirit Junior Suite (Category B)
Sea Cloud Spirit Junior Suite (Category B)

That does not mean I will not enjoy one of my favorite ships, some amazing wines, and culinary delights onboard Sea Cloud Spirit or that I won’t venture onto beaches and into some funky restaurants and bars on land. But I won’t be able to enjoy Sea Cloud Spirit’s marina, snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming options. (Are you feeling sorry for me? lol)

The itinerary is very much one that extolls the sailing and yachting style of Sea Cloud. 

  • Fri Jan 24 San Juan, Puerto Rico  Depart 10:00 pm
  • Sat Jan 25 Cruz Bay, St. John 12:00 pm 11:00 pm Sun Jan 26 Norman Island, British Virgin Islands 8:00 am 4:00 pm
  • Sun Jan 26 North Sound, Virgin Gorda 8:00 pm
  • Mon Jan 27 North Sound, Virgin Gorda 6:00 pm
  • Tue Jan 28 Day under full sails
  • Wed Jan 29 St. John’s, Antigua 8:00 am 6:00 pm
  • Thu Jan 30 Charlestown, Nevis 8:00 am 1:30 pm
  • Fri Jan 31 Gustavia, St. Barthélemy 8:00 am 11:00 pm
  • Sat Feb 1 Philipsburg, St. Maarten  Disembark 8:00 am
Other than the onboard wine and culinary experiences, my favorite Day Under Sails (May the winds be with us!) and the Norman Island Beach & Barbeque Day are highlights for me. And the Beach Morning in Nevis should be pretty nice too!  Unfortunately, the included snorkeling, kayaking, and catamaran experiences are off-limits for me. And I don’t think will take advantage of the included island tours, but rather opt for my famous wandering around the ports looking for “that place”.
 
Sea Cloud Spirit
Sea Cloud Spirit
After my last two experiences, and my love of the product, I am interested to see if there have been any tweaks or improvements and, of course, if the consistency that you know I look for remains. I have every confidence my experience will be as good or better than my last two.
I do have to mention that flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico and from St. Maarten is very easy from the East Coast and Midwest. However, from the Lake Tahoe area…not so much. I figured out my best option was to drive the 3.5 hours to San Francisco, park my car at the Homewood Suites near the airport, Uber over to SFO, then take a red-eye flight to Newark, New Jersey, and then another flight to San Juan. My return is a flight to Chicago and then to San Francisco arriving at midnight. I’ll spend the night at the Homewood Suites and then drive the 3.5 hours back home. (Otherwise, my return would take over 33 hours with horrible layovers.)  
As I said, this is work but it isn’t terrible work. In fact, I am confident I will enjoy myself too. And, of course, I will write an article or two about my experience as well.
I know this is very last minute, but if you would like to join me, call me or send an email, text, WhatsApp or Facebook message!
 

Interested in a Luxury Journey by Cruise, Expedition, or Land?

Contact Goldring Travel For Truly Expert Advice!

Email: eric@goldringtravel.com 

US: (877) 2GO-LUXURY or (530) 562-9232

UK: 020 8133 3450

AUS: (07) 3102 4685

WhatsApp: +1 732-693-8797

Facebook: Goldring Travel

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