The moment we all wait for on every Sea Cloud voyage is the first time the captain calls the crew to sail stations to set the sails. Those who have never been on Sea Cloud before wonder skeptically if we really, truly are going to sail, and the many returning guests who have experienced the ship before already know where to position themselves in anticipation. It never gets old. We had a full house on the Spanker Deck for the explanation of the setting of the square sails, and then we all moved to the Bridge Deck and Monkey Deck for the setting of the jibs and staysails. After that, the day was spent in glorious awe, as the sails filled and we all began to explore the ship and find our favorite places to settle in. The first day at sea on Sea Cloud is always a winner!
10/3/2024
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Sea Cloud
Amalfi and Napoli, Italy
Anticipating rough weather, we woke early today to attempt a morning visit to the city of Amalfi. Unfortunately, the seas were already too rough to safely disembark, and we were compelled to make other plans. We instead spent a quiet morning at sea, including a presentation by National Geographic-Lindblad Historian Rebecca on shipwreck archaeology, a fitting topic for a ship prudently avoiding rough weather. Today’s lunch on the lido deck featured the famous Sea Cloud pasta wheel, a large wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano in which a delectable pasta is prepared. We managed to dock in Napoli around midday, and interested guests accompanied Expedition Leader John on a walk around some of Napoli’s historic neighborhoods. Our leisurely walk took us past the medieval Castel Nuovo, through the soaring Galleria of Umberto I, and alongside the expansive Royal Palace of Napoli. Back aboard Sea Cloud this evening, we enjoyed the guest slide show during cocktail hour followed by one final, sumptuous dinner in the ship’s elegant dining room.