The yacht is marketed by Club Med as being the largest sailing yacht in the world.

I couldn't help but wonder if I was in the south of France as I looked out at the water that was a brilliant shade of blue, snacked on French gorgonzola, a crusty baguette, and a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc, and was surrounded by staff members wearing striped shirts in blue and white.

In point of fact, I was in the midst of the Caribbean Sea while sailing on Club Med 2, which had recently had a restoration costing a total of $10,800,000.00 by the all-inclusive beach and ski resort brand. I boarded the ship later, from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, for the final three nights of the cruise, after it had already left St. Martin on its maiden voyage to the Caribbean with a French clientele that comprised 90 percent of the passengers. And yet, I discovered that I was in a miniature version of France. This is because the 73-year-old company has its headquarters in Paris, and French is the predominant language used by Club Med's GOs (the acronym for "gentle organiser," which literally translates to "good organiser"). Every sign is written in both English and French, and when I turned on the television in my cabin, I was welcomed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga singing in French with English subtitles.

After setting sail over the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in October 2022, the 184-cabin, 368-passenger, five-masted yacht has recently finished her maiden voyage across the Caribbean. It is the only yacht owned by Club Med and is said to be the largest sailing yacht in the world, according to the hospitality brand. The Club Med 2 will begin sailing in the Mediterranean beginning on March 31, and will continue until the beginning of October. (And no, you have not missed the first season of Club Med.) After Windstar Cruises purchased it in 1998, it has been operating under the Windstar name.)'

Carolyne Doyon, a native of Montreal who now works out of the brand's office in Miami, is the CEO and president of Club Med's operations in North America and the Caribbean. She says that Club Med 2 was first placed into service in 1992 and has only been rebuilt once (in 2008). Hence, the boat measuring 614 feet in length was in serious need of an upgrade.

When asked about the decision to relaunch the yacht, Doyon stated, "We believe it's the right time." On a day spent at sea, we were enjoying a meal together at the upscale restaurant known as Le Monte Carlo. "As a direct result of COVID, people have a greater awareness of the world around them." In an earlier presentation for the brand, she said it best when she said, "Luxury has changed." Now, luxury is all about the experiences you have."

She claims that wealthy tourists look for opportunities to travel in ways that are good for their health and the environment; the sails on her yacht provide the propulsion instead of an engine. There are ten different water sports that may be enjoyed on one deck, including windsurfing and kayaking. There is also a miniature sailboat called a Hobie Eclipse. Promises to be environmentally responsible include the elimination of all plastics, the reduction of fuel consumption by thirty percent, the reduction of food waste, and the selection of only natural or organic partners. One example of such a partner is the French beauty brand Sothys, which will be used for in-cabin toiletries and spa products.

While I was getting a massage in one of the spa's four treatment rooms, I could smell lemons (thanks to Sothys), and I could hear fake birds chirping in the background. The massage lasted for fifty minutes. I had actually visited the therapist's hometown in France, which was one of those "small-world" experiences that brought home to me the primary reason why people travel: to find new connections. Also, the spa offers salon services such as manicures and haircuts for guests.

A relationship with Yoga by Heber son's Heber son Oliveira, who teaches yoga in Paris, ensures that each voyage includes five lessons each day of yoga, meditation, or breathing. Oliveira encouraged us to become one with the ocean while we were in a meditative stance on the sundeck of the ship. She instructed us to cup our hands together like a seashell.

The Club Med 2 plans to concentrate on performing tasks that other ships are unable to. Because of our size, we are able to access ports that larger ships cannot, such as Venice, according to Doyon.

"We want to expand the product's market internationally. Doyon continues by saying that the majority of the population is European today. "People in North America have a strong affinity for the all-inclusive model. It is against company policy to leave gratuities. It's everything included in the price. [Even] Champagne — real Champagne — not prosecco." The only things that cost extra are the optional shore excursions and premium booze.

There are no inside cabins that are little like closets. There are two porthole windows in each cabin, and the amount of storage space is greater than what I've seen on other cruise ships. There are ten suites, each of which has two bathrooms, in addition to the owner's suite. There are no balconies in any of the cabins, but the ship has 29,000 square feet of brand-new teak decks, so you won't have to compete with anyone else for a lounge chair.

Mornings and afternoons are reserved for outings that last for a full four hours. "Our passengers are looking for something unique," explains Saida Dridi, who is in charge of the ship's excursions. "It's only a small group from the ship, including a guide and an escort, helping them out and attempting to make them happy," the narrator said. Dridi's face lights up with excitement whenever I question her about her most cherished adventure. The indigenous people of Panama's San Blas Islands are the ones that give visitors from Club Med 2 a warm welcome when they arrive in their town.

We pulled into the harbour on Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic, which is where Club Med takes over the beach and serves empanadas, beverages, and seafood that has been grilled. Oliveira was the instructor for the yoga session, and she made sure that all of the poses faced the ocean. Even if it seems like a gym wall when you're doing downward dog on the beach, it's still the beach and not a wall at the gym.

The ship was given a makeover over the course of two months. It's a combination of the tiny things (such USB ports near the bed or quieter machines at the gym so that spa guests below aren't subjected to noise) and a complete revamp of Le Monte Carlo and Saint Tropez restaurants, as well as the Yacht Club Lounge. In Le Monte Carlo, hues of blue, yellow, and white are highlighted by nautical décor, in addition to mirrored walls that reflect the rays of the sun. "chic but cosy" is how the designer Sophie Jacqmin describes this look.

There will be no cruising on the Club Med 2. As the cruise director Jean-Charles Thillays explains, "It's a sailing ship," so happily there won't be any lame talent shows or quiz evenings on board. There are nights with specific dress codes, such as an all-white theme or a bohemian-chic vibe, but there are no "formal" events. On the night of the white party, the aft-side deck of the Portofino Bar exuded an air of enchantment due to the presence of white tablecloths, shining white balls floating in one of the two saltwater pools, acrobats performing, and all of the guests dressed in airy white apparel.

While touring the Saint Tropez restaurant with Amélie Brouhard, a native of Normandy, France, who serves as the vice president of marketing for Club Med's operations in North America and the United States, she reveals that the chefs on board were just recently trained in plant-based cuisine. And it's not Impossible burgers or a salad bar; one example is a fragrant curry called Trinidad aloo channa, which can be found at Saint Tropez. Even though I started the day at Saint Tropez with an orange detox juice, I'm pretty sure the effects of that were neutralized by the chocolate croissants and pain au chocolat I ate.

The food is innovative, in addition to being fresh and healthful. "When we are docked at a port, the executive chef would occasionally visit the local marketplace in order to get some seafood and fresh produce," GO About Le Monte Carlo, Luka Sanz mentioned it during a ship cruise. "The plan is to use fresh, local products, such as food from Cuba, in our preparations. You will also discover French cheese because there are French consumers [on board], and because we enjoy our French cheese, you will find French cheese.

As a bona fide cheese connoisseur who also happens to be the author of a cheese book, I gave the cheese selection at Saint Tropez my undivided attention. That's when one of the GOs came over to assist me, showing the "1.5 GOs to every two passengers" ratio that the brand advertises. But instead of merely plating the cheese for me, he tells me a tale about his childhood in the area of France that is known for producing comté.