Everybody loves a day at sea on Sea Cloud, so the Spanker Deck was full as the play-by-play descriptions of the setting of the sails began. With symphonic orchestration, the ship came alive as lines were hauled, yards were braced, jibs were raised, and square sails were sheeted home. We moved forward through the one-hour process of setting the sails, finishing on the raised fo’c’sle with the jibs, and the beautiful bowsprit protruding ahead. This was what we came for!
A sailing day also meant time to get to know the ship’s details and amenities, and to tune in to the lectures the expedition team prepared for us on our voyage around the coast of Sicily. The ship’s nocturnal baker, Romel, who bakes all the exceptional bread and pastries on board, made a daytime appearance at a special “custom crepes” afternoon tea. Then we all found our favorite spots to watch the sailors go aloft into the rigging again for the final furling in late afternoon. What a joy it is to be a part of this historic vessel.
