Literary giant Mitchell Kaplan joins Sea Cloud Miami cruise

Mitchell Kaplan, a hometown hero in Miami where he founded the Miami Book Fair International and independent bookstore Books & Books, will join best-selling author/historian Les Standiford aboard a Sea Cloud Cruises sailing.

Tales of Florida, The Bahamas and Marjorie Merriweather Post

Both will share stories and literary adventures related to Miami, The Bahamas Out Islands and original Sea Cloud yacht owner Marjorie Merriweather Post’s time in South Florida during Sea Cloud Spirit's March 27 Miami roundtrip cruise.

It features a sunset departure from Miami, calls in Eleuthera, the Exumas, Key West and three days under full sail.

'Mitchell Kaplan is a fixture in the literary world and we are fortunate he calls South Florida home, making a lasting impact here in our community for decades,' said Mirell Reyes, president of Sea Cloud Cruises North America. 'Mitchell is also a magnificent storyteller and longtime friend to Les Standiford and the two will share wonderful tales of Florida and The Bahamas on this memorable sailing adventure.'

One of the world's top book fairs

Kaplan opened the first Books & Books in 1982 in Coral Gables. Now there are four South Florida locations, and Books & Books hosts more than 400 events annually. In 1985, he co-founded the Miami Book Fair, one of the world's most important book fairs.

Related:Sea Cloud Spirit makes first Nassau call, 2025 has Palm Beach pre-cruise

'I look forward to joining Les to talk about what’s been my passion for over 40 years: the rich literary tradition of Miami, the Keys and the islands of the Caribbean. And to be aboard a legendary Sea Cloud Cruises adventure at the same time is a once in a lifetime opportunity,' Kaplan said.

Historical focus

The trip relates to Sea Cloud's Marjorie Merriweather Post history — she and husband E.F. Hutton built what is now the company's original yacht in 1931 and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach — and two of Standiford's books. 'The Last Train to Paradise' is a definitive history of Henry Flagler and the Florida East Coast Railway, and 'Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago and the Rise of America's Xanadu' delves into Post and Hutton's impact.