Clipper Ahoy!

We could see our ship before we got to the harbour, its five masts rising above Bridgetown's rooves like stick insects. Another ship shared the harbour, a large standard cruise ship, and we felt quite smug getting on this sleek iconic beast, the largest square-rigged sailing ship in the world, and our home for almost 17 days, 

In the old days, the well-to-do taking Atlantic crossings from Europe would book cabins on the port side on their way out and on the starboard side on their way home. Thus was the word posh born (Port Out Starboard Home = POSH). We are in cabin 247, midship and slightly to the stern and so fulfilling the SH bit if not the PO.

Everything stowed away in our (to us) sizable cabin, we explored the ship (fairly compact) until the dinner bell rang. We rushed back to dress (it's not formal at all but everyone is asked to at least wear shoes instead of flip flops, and long trousers for men (the women always seem to know how to dress well without being guided).

After dinner, we all went up to the sundeck, by now under a dark starry sky. First to leave was the large cruise ship (did you invite them darling? I thought they’d never leave) and then our lines cast off and we were away ourselves.

After we cleared the harbour, there was the most almighty screeching and creaking noises. Looking up we realized the stay sails were unfurling! Then, level by level, all the square sails came down, bottom ones first. 

Music came through strategically placed speakers – the theme song from the 1992 film 1492: Conquest of Paradise. This played again and again, on a loop, as the sails all came down and fluttered in the warm air. 

Yes, it was a bit cheesy, but oddly stirring as well.  You could see the captain all puffed up proud to show off ship so theatrically.

Two and a half weeks at sea, crossing the Atlantic, oh what a wonderful voyage awaits.