By Renee Hayward
From the moment I stepped aboard Sea Cloud II, I knew this cruise was unlike any other.
The elegant three-masted sailing ship, with its 23 sails, combines the comforts of a luxury cruise with the romance and adventure of traditional sailing.
There is something wonderfully different about travelling on a ship where the wind, rather than the timetable, becomes part of the experience.
While Sea Cloud II offers all the pleasures expected of a luxury voyage, it is the opportunity to become involved in the sailing itself that makes the experience so memorable.
One of the highlights of my cruise was climbing the rig.
It is not every day that a luxury cruise gives you the chance to climb high above the deck of a traditional sailing ship.
It was an exhilarating experience that will stay with me long after the cruise has ended.
There is a wonderful rhythm to life onboard.
Days can be as relaxed as you wish, with time to enjoy the deck, the food and spectacular sea views.
Meals range from buffets to elegant, multi-course dinners, with a strong emphasis on fresh produce and seafood.
A memorable highlight was watching the chefs slice a massive, sustainably caught local tuna on the Lido Deck, serving it as fresh sushi and sashimi with regional wines.
Onboard, I often felt as though I were a guest on a private yacht.
The crew knew my name, creating a genuinely personal atmosphere, while the captain’s open-bridge policy allowed guests to visit and see the art of navigation firsthand.
Seeing the instruments, learning about the ship’s course and watching the officers at work offered a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.
With a maximum of just 94 passengers, Sea Cloud II is considerably smaller than most cruise ships.
This allows it to visit smaller islands and secluded bays that are less accessible to larger vessels. Highlight visits of our voyage included Ios, Amorgos and Milos.
On Ios Island, we anchored in Manganari Bay on the island’s southeastern coast before travelling by Zodiac to the nearby beach.
This beautiful, quieter side of Ios offered crystal-clear, shallow waters, relaxed swimming making for a perfect afternoon.
Amorgos was another unforgettable stop.
One of the island’s most spectacular sights is the Byzantine Monastery of Hozoviotissa, dedicated to the island’s patron saint.
Perched dramatically on the face of a cliff some 300 metres above the sea, the gleaming white monastery seems almost suspended between the mountains and the Aegean.
The views from above are breathtaking, with the sea stretching out in extraordinary shades of blue.
Milos offered a completely different landscape.
Visiting Sarakiniko Beach felt like stepping onto another planet.
Known as the “moon beach”, its smooth, chalk-white volcanic rock formations have been sculpted by wind and waves into an extraordinary lunar landscape.
We then explored Plaka, the charming hilltop capital of Milos, overlooking the Aegean.
Its narrow cobblestone lanes, whitewashed houses, colourful blue and red doors and vibrant bougainvillea capture the quintessential beauty of the Cyclades.
My seven nights aboard Sea Cloud II were about much more than visiting the Greek Islands – they were about experiencing the sea in a completely different way.
Climbing the rig, watching the crew set the sails manually and stepping onto the open bridge were experiences I would never have had on a conventional cruise.
They offered a glimpse into the skill, tradition and adventure of sailing, while still allowing me to enjoy the comfort and service of a luxury voyage.
For anyone who loves the sea, sailing or simply wants to experience the Greek Islands and the Mediterranean differently, a voyage aboard Sea Cloud II offers something truly memorable – an experience to remember long after you have returned home.
