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This Gorgeous New Ship Is the Only Cruise in the World Sailed by Hand

The new Sea Cloud Spirit will sail the Caribbean this winter, and then cruise the Mediterranean for summer 2024.

Carlo Raciti

Watching the tightly choreographed deck crew scale the riggings, swaying slightly in the breeze, to hoist the sails on the fully rigged windjammer a few miles off Nice, France, I felt my stomach knot up. 

An avid sailor, I have never ascended higher than the boom, let alone strap myself in with mountain climber–like safety gear and step up through ropes to “set the sails.” The sails on Sea Cloud Spirit , a three-mast, square-rigged tall ship, measure a whopping 44,100 square feet. It takes 22 professional square-rigged vessel seamen and deckhands around 45 minutes to raise all 28 sails. 

According to Sea Cloud Cruises CEO Daniel Schäfer, this Malta-flagged ship, custom-built in Vigo, Spain, and launched in 2021, is the only sail-powered cruise ship in the world that is “hand-sailed.” That’s with the exception of electric-powered winches, which tighten the sheets (or the ropes that trim the sails). It’s a glorious sight to see and a key reason passengers choose to cruise with Sea Cloud. “About half of our passengers are sailors or have something to do with the water,” Schäfer told me.

Sea Cloud Spirit

• Sailing is embedded deep in Sea Cloud Cruises’ DNA, so don’t miss the setting of the sails on sea days.
• Sea Cloud Spirit operates an open bridge policy, so pay a visit to see the state-of-the-art navigational systems and have a chat with the friendly officers on duty.
• All 69 rooms are sea-facing, with Veranda and Junior Veranda Suites featuring balconies.
• The food on board is excellent, from the Lido deck buffet to the fine-dining indoor restaurant.
• The ship’s small size ensures an enviable central docking position close to the action when calling at cities like Barcelona and Marseille, France.

Dennis Carbocci had done his homework before booking back-to-back cruises aboard Sea Cloud Spirit . I met him and his wife, Pamela, on their second week-long Mediterranean cruise, this one tracing the Italian and French Rivieras before schmoozing into the Balearic Sea under the warm October sun. 

“This is, like, real sailing. With all the sails up and heavy wind, it really is exhilarating,” Dennis said.

Sea Cloud Cruises isn’t new to boutique luxury sailing. The small Hamburg, Germany–based company has been around for more than four decades and prides itself on its sophisticated European hospitality.

Christoph Mayer, an occasional sailor, has previously sailed on Sea Cloud II , while his parents have taken five or six cruises on the elegant vessels. It was his first time sailing together with them, along with his girlfriend and aunt. But Sea Cloud is the flagship; the one that started it all. Wall Street broker Edward Francis Hutton commissioned the vessel in 1931, the world’s largest private sailing yacht at the time, and allowed his wife, businesswoman and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post, to furnish the interiors with lavish antiques. With a long and fascinating history, the 64-passenger ship is still sailing the high seas and has ardent devotees.  At 452 feet and a 136-passenger capacity with 85 crew on board, Sea Cloud Spirit is the largest of the company’s three vessels — but it still has an intimate feel. More spacious than Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II , it retains classic windjammer lines and lacquered timber finishes throughout. 

One afternoon, the wind picked up, reaching around the mid- to high-20 knots, and the skies turned overcast. I watched in amazement as Katia Jarosławowna Plewińska, one of two female deck crew, fastened the lower sails. 

Like every bonafide sailing yacht, Sea Cloud Spirit heels (leans) when the sails are up. This makes for a smooth ride, even in choppy seas. All you hear is the water gliding beneath the hull. Powered by two silent diesel electric engines, the only noise is the engine’s generators, which operate intermittently.

Here, everything you need to know about Sea Cloud Spirit — and what it was like to be one of the first on board.

The Staterooms 

My luminous, spacious, 237-square-foot Junior Veranda Suite featured an exceedingly private 65-square-foot balcony with two deck chairs. 

With just enough motion to rock me to sleep, I snoozed like a baby on the firm German-made Dr. Weidner mattress atop a twin bed that can be converted into a double. During the day, I often left the balcony door open to let the sea breeze flow in. 

Glossy mahogany woodwork throughout, from the dual walk-in wardrobes and bathroom cabinets to the vanity dresser, lends a classy Old World ambiance. Judging by details such as 23-karat gold–plated light fixtures illuminating sailing-themed paintings, no expense has been spared. 

Bathrooms in the Veranda and Junior Veranda Suites have Jacuzzi-equipped bathtubs, Villeroy & Boch fittings, and ample storage space. Black and gold mosaics set off bisque-hued marble tiles. 

All 69 cabins offer sea views with ample natural light. Shades of warm apricot, chocolate, navy, ochre, and rust red bring warmth to furnishings and bedding. Grand staterooms on the Lido deck offer unimpeded views to the sea through windows that open, while Deluxe and Superior staterooms have portholes. The smallest rooms are the Superior staterooms, ranging from 172 to 205 square feet, and the Superior Single staterooms, at 140 square feet. Veranda and Junior Veranda Suite accommodations include complimentary laundry service. 

Veranda Suite 318 is the most luxurious, with 301 square feet of space, an 86-square-foot balcony, three arched windows, and an L-shaped sofa that converts into a full-size fold-out bed.

Bars and Restaurants 

The best seat in the house was aft, on the Lido deck, soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine with a flute of Champagne. Indeed, I picked up a pointer or two at informative, fun, expert-led Champagne tastings zeroing in on boutique estates. Beyond the rare magnums, I discovered Sea Cloud places a premium on dining. As part of a gastronome-geared itinerary set to expand in 2024-25, the pièce de résistance was a dinner orchestrated by two guest chefs who helm Michelin-starred restaurants. Tristan Brandt, whose Miami-based Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt earned its first star in May 2023, and Niklas Oberhofer illustrated their trademark Asian-infused modern French cuisine with an exquisite five-course menu. Carabinero shrimp with celery, miso, and yuzu and poached egg with cauliflower, parmesan, and black truffle triumphed. 

Chef de cuisine Florian Schneider’s in-house culinary team proved near faultless, both at the refined indoor restaurant in the evenings and the open-air Lido deck, where rather epic breakfast and lunch buffets were served. On separate days, hotel manager Elias Stamatopoulos prepared divine ceviche from whole tuna and swordfish sourced from Naples, Italy. 

Departing Marseille, I had my French onion soup prayers answered. While docked at Barcelona’s city-center harbor, I tucked into terrific tapas, better than those I had ashore the last time I was in the Catalonian capital. That evening, Sea Cloud veteran bar manager Anton Campos whipped up a lush piña colada for me.

Where Sea Cloud Spirit Sails 

In November, Sea Cloud Spirit made its 16-night Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean, drawing sailing purists yearning to catch the famed trade winds and switch off. Through early January, the ship will cruise in the Caribbean, calling in at small ship destinations like Bequia, in the Grenadines; Dominica; and the BVI’s Jost Van Dyke. 

In February, chef Cindy Hutson, of Coral Gables, Florida, restaurant Ortanique , and naturalist Stephen Weston will be on board for an 11-night cruise through Costa Rica’s wildlife-rich national parks and Panama’s remote Coiba National Park followed by a daylight Panama Canal crossing and a jaunt to the San Blas archipelago. From May to June, a culinary-themed cruise will take in destinations such as Bilbao, Spain; Bordeaux, France; and La Rochelle, France, followed by a late summer sojourn in Portugal’s Azores, which should be pretty spectacular. 

From September to October, Sea Cloud Spirit will sail between Malta, Italian destinations including Syracuse, Taormina, Salerno, and Amalfi; Sardinia; Corsica; and St. Tropez, France, among other Mediterranean ports. The vessel will return to Barcelona when it hosts The America’s Cup in early October 2024 and fans of yacht racing’s biggest event won’t want to miss out on the action. Learn more about the sailings here .

Shore Excursions 

It was tough choosing shore excursions. I envied fellow passengers who opted for adventurous options like hiking the Camino de Ronda along rocky trails in Spain’s Costa Brava. Instead, I delved into the history and culture of provincial towns and cities like Girona and Tarragona with walking tours led by enthusiastic on-the-ground guides. With its mix of Romanesque, Baroque, and Gothic architecture, Aix-en-Provence, reached via Marseille, was a revelation. A little rain failed to dampen guide Annette Orru’s in-depth introduction to the vibrant cobblestoned university town, with its Roman Empire origins, stately 18th-century mansions, and stories about the city’s most famous son, Paul Cézanne.

Tour guide Patty Witzigmann’s intriguing onboard Salvador Dalí presentation had me pining for a visit to the museum-theatre dedicated to the eccentric artist in his home town Figueres, Spain. In Barcelona, I lucked out with guide Evgueni Agaltsev Kosmata, whose passion for Antoni Gaudí was palpable. Whisking our small group through the Gothic Quarter’s narrow streets, away from the crowds, we reached Palau Güell for a private, after-hours tour. Kosmata proceeded to show us this architectural wonder, a mansion designed by a young Gaudí who masterfully melded Gothic, art nouveau, and Islamic elements, in mind-blowing detail. 

Amenities and Entertainment

With the weather still warm, the sun loungers on the top deck were a popular spot for a post-breakfast or -lunch snooze and, of course, to admire the sails harnessing the breeze and propelling us to our next destination. Also on the top deck: a decently sized gym with sea views and all the equipment you could need. 

On the Lido deck, above the bow, is a stately, well-stocked library. One day, when the wind was howling, I retreated to its sunlight-strewn interior and leafed through books like "Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die," while daydreaming about my future sailboat. 

In the evenings preceding a sea day, I joined impromptu parties deejayed by David Hoffmann on the Lido deck that promptly turned somewhat surreal. One night, the ship’s gentle rolling motion saw us involuntarily and hilariously line-dancing till late. Sea Cloud Spirit is one solid vessel though; our shenanigans failed to disturb fellow sleeping sailors. One afternoon, I slipped away for a deep-tissue massage in the spa, where therapist Adriana got to work, quietly pummeling away deep-seated knots from my shoulder blades with butterfly-like techniques I hadn’t felt before. I couldn’t even drag my body to the Finnish sauna after.

Family-friendly Offerings

Children, from the age of 12 months, are more than welcome on board Sea Cloud Spirit, but the truth is it has more of an adults-only feel. There are no children’s facilities on board. Certainly, the ship works well for a multi-generational cruise vacation for those with children in their 20s and up and, particularly, for special occasions like milestone birthdays and anniversaries. Sea Cloud Spirit is also available for private charter. 

Accessibility

Given the nature of this ship, there are no ADA-compliant rooms on Sea Cloud Spirit . There is, however, an elevator between decks and bathrooms are equipped with rubber shower mats and handrails.

Not Big on Cruising? This Intimate Sailing Ship Feels More Like a Private Yacht

Here’s what it’s really like to cruise on the classic sailing vessel sea cloud spirit ..

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On the recently launched 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit , passengers sail far off the beaten cruise path in intimate luxury.

Courtesy of Sea Cloud Cruises

Sailing along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica under full-wind power, fishing lines cast off the back to catch something to supplement the dinner menu, it was hard to believe I was on a cruise ship.

On the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit , there is no swimming pool, no casino, and no pickleball court on board. You won’t find a 24-hour snack bar serving hamburgers and hot dogs at all hours. And yes, you may have to eat some of your meals outside among the natural elements.

In return, however, you get an authentic tall-ship sailing experience with all the amenities of an intimate, sustainably focused, five-star cruise that takes you far off the well-worn tourism path. Travelers can jump off the ship’s swim deck directly into the ocean instead of into a man-made pool; ride horseback on a small family-owned ranch; wander private gardens filled with sloths; snorkel and paddleboard along the reefs of remote and uninhabited islands; or simply spend a day relaxing under the billowing sails.

It’s what Sea Cloud Cruises calls “gentle tourism.” I call it unmatched relaxation on what may be one of the first lines to successfully fill that ever-elusive category of “best cruise for non-cruisers.”

On the Sea Cloud Spirit , there’s no swimming pool, casino, or pickleball court. Instead it has 69 well-appointed cabins, a spa, a fitness center, outdoor decks, an indoor lounge, a bar and restaurant, and 44,000 square feet of canvas sails.

The Sea Cloud Spirit is the newest and third ship in the world’s only fleet of cruise ships that still sail the old-fashioned way, under more than two dozen sails that are completely raised and managed by hand. It is a small vessel, one whose appearance is more pirate ship than traditional cruise liner. And the overall vibe and experience is one of pure private yacht–style luxury.

The original ship, Sea Cloud , is a legend. Built more than 90 years ago for cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post by her husband, E.F. Hutton, the ship at the time was the largest privately owned yacht in the world.

Sea Cloud II (built in 2001) and Sea Cloud Spirit were built to uphold the ambience of a private yacht and tall-ship sailing inside and out. They feature elegant cabins with ample wood details as well as modern amenities such as comfortable beds and air-conditioning.

Launched in 2021, Sea Cloud Spirit is the newest of the three—and the biggest, at 453 feet in length with 69 cabins. And while that is still quite small by most cruise-ship standards, it features a surprising number of extras without feeling overly cramped or crowded.

There’s a spa and hair salon with two treatment rooms, a relaxation area, a steam room, and a sauna. On the sundeck is a glass-walled library where you can escape the elements to read or play games without giving up the views or sailing experience. There’s also a fitness center from which you can see the water while working up a sweat.

Scattered across the lido and sun decks are a variety of lounge chairs and day beds for sunning and napping under the sails. There’s also a large indoor lounge and restaurant. At the back of the lido deck are the main bar and the outdoor dining area, where most lunches and dinners are provided.

Like the ship itself, the cabins are surprisingly spacious. All are outside cabins, ranging in size from two 140-square-foot solo cabins to 300-square-foot veranda suites. On a recent sailing earlier this month, I stayed in a 272-square-foot junior veranda suite, which had an outdoor deck as well as an indoor seating area, plus an oversize whirlpool tub and a double vanity in the spacious bathroom.

A big draw is experiencing the crew unfurling the sails manually.

Setting sail

The main event on any Sea Cloud ship, of course, is setting sail. Our first morning we went up to the sun deck to watch 22 deckhands climb into the shrouds to set and unfurl the ship’s sails while the chief officer explained the process.

Based on their hats, logo shirts, and their keen interest in the raising of the sails, several passengers clearly were sailors themselves. But you don’t have to know anything about sailing to appreciate and enjoy the magic of being powered by the wind and 44,000 square feet of canvas.

The ship doesn’t use the sails after dark for safety reasons, and the captain estimated that the Sea Cloud Spirit operates under wind power about 30 to 50 percent of any given cruise. When not sailing, the ship is powered by two diesel-electric engines that operate entirely on low-sulfur marine diesel fuel.

Sea Cloud vessels bring passengers to more remote corners of the world, such as the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.

Photo by Luis Diego/Unsplash

The itinerary

One of the biggest bonuses of sailing with Sea Cloud Cruises is the small ships’ ability to venture where larger ships cannot go. While the itineraries vary dramatically—the ships sail everywhere from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and beyond—the one constant is the focus on sustainable activities that keep guests away from heavily trafficked areas.

Our 11-day sailing (which starts at $9,530 for the 2025 version) took us 1,200 miles along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica , through the Panama Canal, down through Panama’s San Blas archipelago, then back to Colon and Panama City.

Our first stop was Playa Panama, a small beach in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region where some of us hopped on a coach to visit a local ranch that is hoping to preserve and showcase a more traditional way of life by opening up to small groups of tourists. We started with a few lessons in Costa Rican traditions, including tortilla making and coffee roasting, before splitting into groups for zip-lining or horseback riding. Only six of us went horseback riding with the ranch owner and his grandson, who took us on a short cattle drive followed by a leisurely gallop across the sprawling ranch.

In Golfito, Costa Rica, we visited another family working to support tourism while conserving their corner of the ecosystem: La Perica Sloth Garden. The family opened the garden just before the pandemic after discovering the sloth habitat while building trails to help their aging grandmother walk the property. There are so many sloths that you are essentially guaranteed a sighting. Indeed, we saw 10, as well as monkeys and macaws.

After Golfito, the stops became even more remote, ending in the San Blas archipelago, where we visited a small island inhabited by the Cuna people, who have traditionally shunned tourism.

The Sea Cloud Spirit may be an intimate sailing ship, but the cabins aren’t too cramped.

Life onboard

While much of the cruise is about experiencing and embracing life under the sails, whether that’s relaxing on deck, dancing after dinner, or eating under the stars, during sailings there is also a focus on learning more about the local communities, wildlife, people, and food being experienced along the way.

Onboard for our itinerary was Costa Rica and Panama expert Stephen Westin, who gave insightful lectures on the history of the Panama Canal and the Cuna people of the San Blas archipelago. We also had a guest chef, Cindi Huston from Miami, who supplemented the already generous and diverse menus with her mouthwatering concoctions that included Costa Rican coffee and cocoa-crusted skirt steak, a special coconut fish dish, and ceviche with plantain chips.

There was, of course, a lot of fresh fish on offer, including some tuna, wahoo, snapper, and mahi-mahi that crew members caught while we were sailing.

For some, meals out on deck is a plus; for others, they may prefer to eat inside on more balmy nights.

One of my favorite things about the trip was the international mix of passengers. The ships are owned by a German holding company and have traditionally catered mostly to Germans, which makes for some interesting cultural encounters. For instance, after sweltering one windless night during dinner on the lido deck, the crew the next night offered a choice of eating indoors or outdoors. It was just as hot the following evening, but only the Americans opted for the air-conditioned dining room. The Germans laughed, telling us how much they loved the heat.

The crew bent over backward to accommodate the North American minority, hosting an American-style Super Bowl party on the night of the big game, with hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and more—all in the air-conditioned lounge.

The most unusual new cruise ship of the decade: Why Sea Cloud Spirit is a vessel you'll want to try

It might just be the most spectacular show in all of cruising.

Standing on the teak-lined top deck of Sea Cloud Spirit, the glorious new sailing ship from Sea Cloud Cruises, I am watching 18 sure-footed deckhands scurrying about high in the rigging to unfurl the sails.

From my perch, the crew members look like frenzied ants bumping around a recently disturbed anthill. Wherever you look across the vessel's three massive masts, which rise nearly 200 feet in the air, and the giant "yards" that cross them at regular intervals, at least one of these little jumbles of arms and legs is untying sails and throwing them into the proper position to unfurl.

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It doesn't take these deckhands long to prepare all 16 of the massive pieces of cloth up above — one on each yard — and soon they are bounding back down to the ship's top deck for the second half of the show: the (winch-assisted) heaving of the ropes that fully unfurl the sails.

It is only then that the massive vessel — five decks high and 453 feet long — begins to catch the wind and accelerate forward. Call it the show's epilogue. We are now underway, propelled by the power of the wind alone.

Even for a seen-it-all cruise writer like me, it is an exhilarating experience — and a rare one.

In the (small) world of large sailing ships that can be booked for multiday cruises, only a handful of vessels have sails that are still set by hand in this way — the old-fashioned way, like it was done centuries ago.

Most large sailing ships that offer multiday voyages, such as those operated by Windstar Cruises , have automated sails.

It is rarer still that a vessel like this would be built new, with all the latest creature comforts, as Sea Cloud Spirit was over the past 15 years during an on-again, off-again project to craft one of the biggest, most elegant passenger sailing ships ever.

This is at the heart of what makes Sea Cloud Spirit special. It is an old-style tall ship that, above all, offers an authentic sailing experience. But as I saw recently on an 11-night voyage down the coast of Costa Rica and Panama, it's also a modern and upscale cruise vessel that will whisk you around such sailing-friendly destinations as the Caribbean in style.

Here are more of my first impressions of Sea Cloud Spirit, which is just starting to draw attention in the North American market after a quiet launch to mostly Germans in 2021.

It's an old-style windjammer with modern rooms

Call it the most unusual new cruise vessel of the decade — if not longer. Carrying just 136 passengers, Sea Cloud Spirit is a full-rigged, three-masted sailing ship of the sort that hasn't been common on the world's oceans for more than a century. Still, it's no relic of the golden age of sail. While it's modeled on classic sailing ships of old, it was built with all of the modern comforts that you would expect on a new cruise vessel, including elegant and amenity-filled cabins.

Aimed at an upscale traveler, Sea Cloud Spirit's accommodations are notably roomy for a sailing vessel, with most measuring more than 200 square feet and many boasting spacious balconies —a rarity for even the biggest passenger sailing ships.

All 25 cabins on the Panorama Deck (Deck 3), billed as junior suites and suites, have such balconies, allowing passengers to step out into the fresh ocean air during long sails between destinations. That's roughly 36% of the 69 cabins on the vessel.

The remaining 44 cabins — most located one deck down on the Cabin Deck (Deck 2), with a few on the higher Lido Deck (Deck 4) — all have windows to the outside. In an unusual-for-a-cruise-vessel twist, the windows of the Lido Deck cabins can be opened for a breeze.

All the cabins are well appointed with such modern amenities as televisions with on-demand movies available at no extra charge, miniature refrigerators stocked with soda, personal safes and a welcome bottle of Champagne. On the downside, storage space is somewhat limited, with relatively tight built-in closets with oddly small slide-out drawers.

All feature decor that draws its inspiration from the 1930s design of Sea Cloud Cruises' original vessel Sea Cloud — once the private yacht for Postum Cereals heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post (and, at one time, the largest private yacht in the world). Think classical motifs, white-on-white decorative wall paneling and shiplap ceilings, and bathrooms with lots of marble, brass and gold. (In junior suites, the type of cabin I had, the bathrooms boast deep whirlpool bathtubs and Villeroy & Boch fittings.)

The dining is upscale (if limited)

Hard and tasteless sea biscuits, salted meats and pickled vegetables might have been the staples of sailing ships of old, but that's definitely not the case on Sea Cloud Spirit. The ship offers a fine dining experience in its main eatery, the Restaurant, that mixes elegantly plated classic continental cuisine such as beef Rossini with locally inspired dishes such as a pan-seared fillet of grouper floating on a Caribbean-style salsa.

Big enough to serve all 136 passengers on the ship at once, the Restaurant has a classic feel to match its continental cuisine. It sports large arched windows that bathe the room in light, crisp white tablecloths, German-made china embossed with a gold line drawing of the ship, and paintings of sailing ships on its walls.

Located at the back of the vessel on the Panorama Deck, the Restaurant is, alas, one of few dining options on Sea Cloud Spirit, and it offers a limited menu at dinnertime. Each night, the menu features just a single starter, a single soup, a choice of three main courses and a single dessert (that can be substituted with an international cheese plate). Plus, sorbet is always served in between the soup and main courses.

An alternative option on some nights is a more casual dinner at the open-air "bistro" — a covered seating area with teak furniture and 270-degree views at the back of the ship. Its menu also is limited to just a few choices, and they typically overlap with what is offered at the Restaurant one deck below.

The bistro space, which is backed by a bar, also serves as the ship's main outdoor lounge space during the day and morphs into a drinking spot at night (complete with a DJ spinning tunes). On some nights, there's even dancing.

The single option for lunch typically is a buffet served at the outdoor bistro, with breakfast served as a buffet in the Restaurant. On some nights, dinner is also a buffet served at the outdoor bistro, with no meal served in the Restaurant.

What you won't find on Sea Cloud Spirit is the sort of casual decktop grill that you find on some ships where you can grab a quick burger in between lounges on the Lido Deck. And there's no room service offered on board for those who want to swap one of the very-drawn-out meals in the main restaurant for an early night to bed.

This is, no doubt, partly due to the small size of the vessel and resulting limits on the number of kitchen and wait staff members that it can carry. Even with the limited menus and dining options, the dining staff often appears stretched too thin.

Still, what the kitchen is able to accomplish with its limited resources is impressive. Dinner buffets at the bistro often feature chefs grilling fresh local fish either bought the same day from local fishers or caught off the back of the vessel while it is underway (something I've never seen done on any other vessel in nearly 30 years of writing about cruising). Filet mignon, lobster and other high-end fare cooked in front of passengers on deck is also common.

Sea Cloud has also begun hosting well-known U.S. chefs on some sailings to lead cooking demonstrations and lectures during the day and create special dishes for dinners at night. On my sailing, renowned South Florida chef Cindy Hutson and partner Delius Shirley, who have had restaurants in Florida and Jamaica, were on board. Sea Cloud recently announced that chef Michael Collantes of Winter Park, Florida's Michelin-starred Soseki would be sailing on a voyage in October.

It's mostly all-inclusive

Sea Cloud Spirit's itineraries aren't inexpensive. Ten-night Costa Rica and Panama voyages scheduled for 2025, similar to the one I experienced, start at $9,530 per person — or nearly $1,000 per person, per day. Top cabins on the vessel for such voyages cost as much as $23,090 per person.

But as is typical for cruise lines at the high end, Sea Cloud Cruises includes a lot in its base price. In addition to a room and all meals, the fares wrap in the cost of gratuities, a complimentary minibar in cabins stocked with sodas, and fine wines and other alcoholic drinks available from the ship's eateries and bar around the clock. These costs can really drive up the total price of a cruise vacation on many other lines.

In addition, all passengers get 1 gigabyte of speedy Starlink Internet access for free on every voyage. (If that isn't enough to last your entire sailing, you can buy more at a rate of 20 euros for 5 gigabytes or 35 euros for 10 gigabytes.) Plus, those staying in higher-level cabins get free laundry service throughout their cruise, a notable perk.

Another free perk on the ship is access to its small spa's thermal area— an extra charge on many ships. It's home to a Finnish sauna, steam room, foot bath, showers and a relaxation room.

Some destination activities are also included in the fare. On my sailing, for instance, guided snorkeling outings with a naturalist off the beach during stops at Panama's Coiba National Park and Pearl Islands were available at no extra charge. So was a visit with the indigenous Kuna people of the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama.

The handful of things that cost extra during a Sea Cloud Spirit sailing include extra-charge shore tours offered during visits to some destinations (on my sailing, there were extra-charge tours during three stops) and treatments in the ship's small spa.

It's magical — and romantic

Lovely rooms, lovely food, inclusive pricing — these are all things that you'll find on just about any higher-end cruise ship. But what you won't get on almost any other vessel is the feeling of sheer awe that you get spending a day under sail on Sea Cloud Spirit.

It is, quite simply, something magical — and romantic — to be propelled through the ocean on a vessel the size of Sea Cloud Spirit by nothing more than the power of the wind.

It harks back to a bygone era before the arrival of modern motor vessels, when crossing the world's oceans was as adventurous as it was arduous.

It's an experience that's all about the feeling of the wind in your hair, the lean of the vessel (known as the heel) as it's pushed by the wind and the sway from the waves, which is smoother than what you get on a motor ship.

It's about looking up at the massive sails swollen with the wind from the vantage point of a lounge chair and thinking about how far humans have come in just a few centuries — for better or worse.

It's about thinking about our collective history and the personal tales of our family histories.

Walking around Sea Cloud Spirit's graciously curved top deck, with its seemingly endless arrays of coiled ropes and winches and other gear needed to operate a giant tall ship, I couldn't help but think of my poor Scot-Irish ancestors casting off from Belfast and Londonderry to the Americas in the 1700s, setting off on sailing ship journeys that would take eight weeks in some cases.

Sea Cloud Spirit is enchanting for many reasons, including its sheer beauty. Narrow and sleek, as sailing ships always are, it's a sight to behold from the water when all 28 of its sails are unfurled and trimmed for maximum speed — something passengers can experience firsthand during a "photo safari" off the ship in rubber Zodiac boats.

When the light catches the ship's sails just right, it is pure majesty.

All that said, if you're the sort of cruiser who doesn't think a ship is complete if it's not loaded with amusements, Sea Cloud Spirit is probably not the vessel for you. Other than the show of the sails being put up, it offers no onboard shows, just lectures by the ship's staff and guest speakers about the places the ship is visiting and the ship itself. Its top deck doesn't even have a pool.

In contrast to what you'll find on many new cruise ships, the experience isn't about being amused while carving your way across the sea. It's about the simple thrill of traveling across the sea.

If you're an American, you might be in the minority

Sea Cloud Cruises is a Germany-based company, with a big following there, and as a result, its sailings are often dominated by German-speaking passengers.

While the company markets internationally, and its onboard program is bilingual (the relatively rare number of announcements on board are made in both German and English, and most of the staff speaks both languages), certain sailings can have very few English speakers on board. On my sailing, only about a dozen of 104 passengers on board were English speakers, for instance.

In addition, you'll find that pricing for extra-charge items on the ship, such as spa treatments, is in euros. The plugs on board the vessel are all European style (though you will find a couple of USB ports to charge your phones in every room).

Sea Cloud Cruises has been making a major effort in recent months to draw more travelers from the North American market, so expect to see this ratio of English speakers to German speakers grow. But, for now, a cruise on the vessel sometimes has the feel of a stay at the sort of smaller hotels in Germany that mostly cater to locals.

When passing someone in a hall, whether passenger or crew, you're more likely to be greeted with a "guten morgen" or "guten tag" than a "good morning" or "good day" — at least until they figure out that you're one of the few Americans on board.

Bottom line

Other authentic sailing ships offer multiday trips for vacationers — including the two other vessels in the Sea Cloud Cruises fleet (Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II). But none are as big or awe-inspiring as the new Sea Cloud Spirit.

If it's an authentic sailing ship experience you're after, on a large vessel of the sort that once was common on the world's oceans, a voyage on Sea Cloud Spirit will be hard to beat.

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How the Sea Cloud went from private yacht to cruise ship

• CruiseMapper
• Small Cruise Lines

Former names: Angelita, Hussar II

Cruise line Sea Cloud Cruises (Small Cruise Lines)

Sea Cloud current position

Sea Cloud current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 16.49416 N / -62.42733 W) cruising en route to KN NEV. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Sea Cloud

Sea Cloud current cruise is 13 days, one-way from Valencia to Valletta . Prices start from USD 29344 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 25 Apr, 2024 and ends on 08 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Sea Cloud

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Sea Cloud Itineraries

Sea cloud review, review of sea cloud.

The 1931-built cruise ship Sea Cloud 1 is a tall-sailing ship launched as a private yacht constructed by the shipbuilder Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel Germany . The vessel was drydock-reconstructed and started cruise services in 1979. Sea Cloud was extensively drydock refurbished in 2011 at MWB-Werft ( Bremerhaven ). Its sistership is Sea Cloud 2 (2000-built as an exact replica). In 2021, the fleet joined the world's largest sailship Sea Cloud Spirit .

All three sailships are owned by Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH/ fleet (1979-founded, Hamburg -based company).

The vessel (IMO number 8843446) is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 256084000) and registered in Valletta .

These sailships perfectly combine the elegance of sailing vessels with the luxury and comfort of modern passenger ships. Sea Cloud Cruises fleet in 2021 joined the newbuild Sea Cloud Spirit .

Occasionally, the boat is seasonally chartered by Lindblad Expeditions .

Traditionally for Sea Cloud Cruises, Sea Cloud 1 is often privately chartered, with a schedule combining regular revenue voyages with time- and voyage charters. The charterers are usually specialized groups renting the ship for events like religious conventions, business meetings, alumni gatherings, private parties (family reunions, birthdays, weddings, celebrations). Some even charter the ship for golf-themed cruises.

History - construction and ownership

The 64-passenger ship Sea Cloud 1 is a 4-masted barque originally built as a private yacht for Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973) - an American entrepreneur, businesswoman, philanthropist. At the time, Marjorie Merriweather Post was the owner of General Foods Corporation (1929-founded/1990-defunct). The company (as Postum Cereal Company) was established in 1895 by Charles William Post (1854-1914, the pioneer in the prepared-food industry), and in 1988 merged into Kraft Foods Inc (now Kraft Heinz Co).

The vessel also served as a weather ship for the USCG (United States Coast Guard) and the US Navy during WW2 (1939-45). Following World War 2, the boat served as a private superyacht for many influential people, including as Dominicana's presidential yacht. Sea Cloud 1 was the first racially integrated US warship.

The boat is very much like a private shelter and boasts some of the most appealing cabins and public rooms at sea.

Decks and Cabins

MV Sea Cloud has 3 decks and only 32 cabins in 8 grades, all of which are outside staterooms. Cabins as types and sizes vary considerably. All upper-grade cabins are with antique furniture and marble bathrooms with bathtubs. All staterooms are without TVs.

All cabins offer as standard amenities large wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), dressing table / writing desk with chair, nightstand (bedside cabinet with 2 drawers), hairdryer, individually controlled air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, marble sink top, gold-plated fixtures, razor socket), non-opening windows (half-height or Porthole).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Sea Cloud Restaurants and food bars include Restaurant (open seating), Lido Deck (al fresco buffet, live music, Crew Shanty Choir). Food and service are exceptional, and meals are often served on deck. Dinner is served in the original dining room three times a week, from a fixed menu. Menus have a European influence, though the cuisine is sometimes tempered by the nationality of guests onboard. The most exciting part of the day is an afternoon snack on the Promenade Deck. The baker prepares a new treat each day, including waffles with ice cream, an elaborate afternoon tea or crepes to order. Complimentary wine flows freely at meals.

The most remarkable feature of this luxury yacht is its 4 masts, 29 sails and a tangled web of lines stretching 54 m skyward to support the rigging. Unlike the modern, computer-operated sail ships, all sails on Sea Cloud 1 are manually-served - by the 18 crew performing dazzling acrobatics, suspended over the ocean.

Ship's lounges and bars include Lido Bar, Lounge (featuring selected picture books, literature, board games, a writing desk with a laptop). Other facilities include Lobby area (Reception, Purser), Hospital, zodiac boats, "Fun Island" (sledding via inflatable water sleds).

Itineraries

Sea Cloud 1 schedule calendar includes cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean (departing from Piraeus-Athens Greece and Dubrovnik Croatia ), under contract to National Geographic Society. The yacht is also often privately chartered.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, Sea Cloud 1 became Sea Cloud Cruises' first boat to restart passenger shipping in 2021 - on August 27, leaving out of Piraeus-Athens.

For 2023, with Sea Cloud Lindblad introduced two new Mediterranean itineraries: the 10-day "Extraordinary Adriatic: Croatia and Slovenia Under Sail" (August 17, 2023, from US$14670 pp with double occupancy/from  Venice Italy to Dubrovnik Croatia) and the 16-day "Sailing the Western Mediterranean: Spain to Corsica" (April 19, 2023, from US$25,170 pp/from  Lisbon Portugal  to Naples Italy ).

Sea Cloud - user reviews and comments

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Sea Cloud ship related cruise news

Sea Cloud Cruises presents authentic itineraries in its 2024 brochure

Sea Cloud Cruises has unveiled its 2024 brochure titled "Authentic Sailing Journeys," offering a comprehensive overview of the experience on board...

Sea Cloud Cruises 2024 - new routes, destinations, and concepts

For the year 2024, Sea Cloud Cruises/fleet has expanded its offerings beyond its well-established art, culture, and culinary trips. The company has...

Sea Cloud Cruises' tall ships continue sailing into the heart of Venice (Italy)

Sea Cloud Cruises fleet will again steer a course for Venice Italy's historic downtown in 2023. Unlike large vessels, Sea Cloud's tall-sailing ships...

Sea Cloud Cruises remains an independent cruise line

Sea Cloud Cruises revealed that Marriott International Inc (the parent company of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection via The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company...

Lindblad Expeditions updates Health & Safety protocols

Lindblad Expeditions updated its health & safety protocols with the first changes effective on sailings departing September 1st/later. As the...

Lindblad unveils 2 new cruise itineraries for Sea Cloud sailship

Lindblad Expeditions announced 2 new itineraries for the 58-passenger sailship Sea Cloud. On the new voyages, tourists will discover the Adriatic...

Port Bastia (Corsica France) welcomes a double call with tall-sail cruise ships Royal Clipper and...

Port Bastia (Corsica Island, France) welcomed a double ship call with Star Clippers' Royal Clipper and Ritz-Carlton's Sea Cloud. Both tall-sailing...

Sea Cloud Cruises cancels this year’s Saint Petersburg (Russia) calls of Sea Cloud Spirit

Sea Cloud Cruises announced the line had cancelled this year’s Saint Petersburg (Russia) calls of its new ship Sea Cloud Spirit. The Hamburg...

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to purchase Sea Cloud Cruises

The maritime investment firm behind the Ritz-Carlson Yacht Collection, The Yacht Portfolio, signed a letter of intent (LoI) to purchase Sea Cloud...

Sea Cloud Cruises cancels its Caribbean season due to COVID

For the 2nd year in a row, the German line Sea Cloud Cruises (fleet) canceled its Caribbean season due to the COVID crisis. According to the company...

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Other Sea Cloud Cruises cruise ships

• Sea Cloud 2
• Sea Cloud Spirit

Sea Cloud Wiki

Under Captain Sergej Komakin, the ship Sea Cloud sailed approx 4260 km (2650 mi) without its engines - being powered only by the wind and cruising 17 days only under its 30 sails (total surface 2970 m2 / 32000 ft2). Only at ~160 km (100 mi) from Santo Domingo, the diesel engines were powered to support the remaining voyage. The 17-day Transatlantic crossing (itinerary December 3-20, 2019, from Praia, Santiago Island Cape Verde to Santo Domingo Dominicana ) was attended by 53 passengers and 60 staff/crew. During the ocean crossing, Sea Cloud maintained speeds 15-20 knots (28-37 kph / 17-23 mph).

In 2021, the 4-masted sailship restarted passenger operations under the command of Captain John Svendsen.

LUXURY CRUISES

Destination, mediterranean, also available in the canaries and caribbean, up to 64 guests, starting from, upon request, per night (usd) private group booking, available for private bookings . send a request to check availability., questions contact us on whatsapp, legendary, unique and very private..

Confident Grand Dame, sporty style icon and generous hostess – the Sea Cloud is a living legend. Built 90 years ago as a private luxury yacht, she combines extravagant charm and authentic windjammer feeling.

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Setting sails by hand

Sailing passion by tradition: on board the Sea Cloud, the sails are still traditionally set by hand – a real piece of work. It is always a spectacular moment when the sailors climb the rigging, loosen the heavy cloth and then powerfully tension the lines on deck. Nothing happens at the push of a button: almost a full hour passes before all sails catch the wind.

Experience for the palate

Creative and at the highest level, Sea Cloud chefs conjure up exclusive culinary experiences. Whether breakfast or lunch buffet, evening barbecue on deck, elegant dinner in the restaurant – the Sea Cloud’s cuisine is innovative and varied, catering to your individual needs and combining classic, modern and maritime nuances.

In sync with nature

Rather than fighting against it with engine power, Sea Cloud put the wind to good use - proving that great experiences and a positive environmental balance do not contradict with each other. Whenever possible, the Yacht runs under sail. And if that means slight changes to the course due to weather conditions, the captain is happy to oblige.

Culinary highlights for gourmets

The cuisine on the Sea Cloud is innovative and varied, catering to your personal needs and combining classic, modern and maritime elements. At all times, the chefs complement this with regional specialties - whether in the elegant evening menus or the generous lunchtime buffets.

Get active on board

Sailing theory, knot tying lessons, a visit to the bridge or the engine room - there is plenty of opportunity for first-hand seafaring experiences. As a novelty, you can also join on deck.

A Private Yacht With An Eventful History

“First a private yacht, then a floating diplomatic palace, later a warship – the story of the Sea Cloud is more exciting than a novel.”

— CAPTAIN EVGENY NEMERZHITSKY—

Golden swan-shaped water taps, magnificent marble fireplaces, French antiques – as heiress to a fortune worth millions, Marjorie Merriweather Post was able to give free rein to her imagination when building her private yacht, which was launched in Kiel in 1931. Even today, every detail on the Sea Cloud radiates the glamour of a bygone era. Her elegance seems timeless, as she has retained her unconventional charm.

Small Ship, More Possibilities

A place of life in harmony with nature..

The cruise offers a well-balanced mix of real sailing experience and exciting discoveries ashore. Sea Cloud’s advantage as a “private yacht”: Besides well-known and loved destinations, it mostly call at smaller, more individual ports, far off the commonly trodden path of tourists.

Not just a classic cruise Experience the difference

Bigger, faster, further – we like to leave that for others. The Sea Cloud follows a course of her own. Each of the cruises provides a unique holiday experience: for people like yourself, who value individuality and love the personal touch. Come onboard and experience the bliss of slowing down in what is probably the most beautiful sailing area in the world.

Your ship From bow to stern SET YOUR OWN COURSE!

A special birthday, a company anniversary or just a trip with friends and family: with an exclusive charter you can give your event a very personal touch. The route can be arranged individually according to your wishes and the shore and board program can be adapted to your personal needs and requirements. Plan a trip that offers your guests a unique experience that will remain in their memories forever.

• ACCOMMODATION

Included Dining

Welcoming bottle of champagne in your cabin All daily meals from early-bird breakfast to the exquisite 4-course dinner menu with a choice of the main course 5-course gala dinner during the cruise Welcome and farewell cocktails with champagne Selected wines and beers are chosen to complement lunch and dinner All soft drinks and juices throughout the cruise All alcohol-free coffee and tea specialities Fresh fruit basket in your cabin, replenished daily

Other Inclusions 

All port fees Beautifully appointed cabin in selected category Use of watersports facilities such as snorkelling equipment (weather permitting)

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Sea Cloud Announces 2025 Florida and Bahamas Sailings, Brightline Pre-Cruise Option

WHY IT RATES: Sea Cloud Cruises is offering a new round-trip Miami itinerary for 2025, allowing travelers to enjoy a fun private yacht-style cruise onboard a brand-new, three-masted ship unlike any other. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Writer, TravelPulse

Yesterday,  Sea Cloud Cruises , one of the world's most storied names in cruise travel, celebrated the inaugural call of  Sea Cloud Spirit  at Nassau Cruise Port. Joining Sea Cloud Cruises President Mirell Reyes for a ceremonial plaque exchange were Islands of The Bahamas officials and tourism industry leaders including Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.  Sea Cloud Spirit  is currently embarking on an immersive Bahamas sailing  Nassau roundtrip March 4-12  that will call on boutique ports including the Exumas and Eleuthera. The current sailing’s Special Guest Lecturer Les Standiford was in attendance and shared details on a special 2025 voyage featuring his passions of Florida, Brightline and The Bahamas.

“Today, we welcome Sea Cloud Cruises to explore the islands of the Bahamas,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Deputy Prime Minister and Chester Cooper. “This voyage on  Sea Cloud Spirit  symbolizes not only the strength of our cruise industry but the enduring allure of the Bahamas as a destination of choice for travelers around the world."

Sea Cloud Cruises  Sea Cloud Spirit  will offer a new itinerary in 2025,  2025 Miami roundtrip March 27-April 4  with a pre-cruise hotel stay at The Breakers Palm Beach and Brightline PREMIUM transfer option, combining two of Standiford’s beloved books. “The Last Train to Paradise” is a definitive history of Henry Flagler and the Florida East Coast Railway which is closely connected to Brightline. “Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, and the Rise of America's Xanadu,” chronicles the unique island in American history including original  Sea Cloud  owners E.F. Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post. Standiford will share stories and tales of Henry Flagler and Marjorie Merriweather Post throughout the journey which includes stops in Miami, Eleuthera, the Exumas, Key West and multiple days under full sail.

“Our guests are continually enamored with the earliest chapter of  Sea Cloud’s  history and there is no more charming expert and storyteller of this golden age than Les Standiford,” said Sea Cloud Cruises President Mirell Reyes. “We are delighted to welcome him once again as we feature The Breakers, Brightline and The Bahamas for an exclusive travel experience with limited availability.”

Brightline is the new train system on the same corridor as the Florida East Coast Railway in Standiford’s book “The Last Train to Paradise,” seamlessly connecting travelers to top major events and destinations between Central and South Florida. Guests reserving the exclusive pre-cruise stay at The Breakers can experience PREMIUM service enroute to Brightline MiamiCentral and PortMiami to board  Sea Cloud Spirit .

“Brightline’s PREMIUM service is the ultimate experience for discerning travelers to combine a pre-or post-cruise luxury hotel resort in Central or South Florida,” shared Brightline’s SVP Partnerships and Sales Johanna Rojas. “We look forward to welcoming guests before they board  Sea Cloud Spirit  on this unique itinerary and encourage all cruisers to make Brightline PREMIUM a part of their vacation.”

Les Standiford is a New York Times Bestselling author of 25 books and novels and a distinguished university professor and founding director of the creative writing program at Florida International University.

On each of the three sailing yachts comprising the Sea Cloud Cruises fleet, the sails are still traditionally hoisted by hand – an impressive and stunning job every time. There are no buttons that can simply be pressed and it takes almost a full hour until all sails catch the wind. Each voyage includes at least one day under full sail, a highlight of the Sea Cloud Cruises experience.

Sea Cloud Cruises sailings offer a well-balanced mix of authentic sailing experiences and unique discoveries ashore. With paramount courteousness and consideration, the crew creates a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere combined with impeccable service.

For more information on Sea Cloud Cruises, contact your travel advisor, call 1-888-732-2568, e-mail  [email protected]   or visit  www.seacloud.com .

SOURCE: Sea Cloud Cruises press release.

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This Yacht is not for Charter*

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SEA CLOUD yacht NOT for charter*

96.35m  /  316'1 | krupp germaniawerft | 1931 / 1978.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Thirty-four cabins
• Up to 60 crew
• Sleeps 64 overnight

The 96.35m/316'1" sail yacht 'Sea Cloud' (ex. Hussar V) was built by Krupp Germaniawerft at their Kiel shipyard. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Cox & Stevens and she was last refitted in 1978.

Guest Accommodation

Sea Cloud has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 64 guests in 34 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 60 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Range & Performance

Sea Cloud is built with a steel hull and steel superstructure.

*Charter Sea Cloud Sail Yacht

Sail yacht Sea Cloud is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Sea Cloud Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

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Specification

S/Y Sea Cloud

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Note that for most of AdventureSmith’s Sea Cloud offerings, the ship is chartered by Lindblad Expeditions and the deck plan and ship amenities are slightly different. View the  Sea Cloud: Lindblad  ship page on our website for details, contact us  for comparable options, or browse all of our small Caribbean cruise ships and Mediterranean cruise ships  to filter by ship size and ship type.

Far more than a voyage along the coasts and among the islands of Homer’s wine-dark sea, a sailing journey aboard the 360-foot Sea Cloud is a chance to experience these lands and waterways as the ancients did. Sail into ports with ruins where the seeds of democracy were sown and titans of the era from Plato to Alexander the Great held court.

Sea Cloud Review

Read our detailed review of the 64-guest Sea Cloud with a complete small ship description including deck plans and a photo gallery. An AdventureSmith Explorations crew member has been aboard the Sea Cloud in the Mediterranean. Please read our Sea Cloud review below then contact our European cruise experts to compare the Sea Cloud with other small cruise ships  that are sailing the Mediterranean . 

Choose the Sea Cloud because she is enormously elegant, yet also friendly and informal. Dress aboard ship is relaxed and casual. Carved oak panels line the interiors. Bathrooms are fitted with Italian marble and elegantly furnished with period antiques. Parquet floors shine and burnished brass still glows. Original marine oils grace the yacht’s walls. For guests willing to participate, the Sea Cloud sometimes offers a unique tour of participating guests’ rooms, so everyone can see and learn the history of the different cabins available.

History & Sails of Sea Cloud

Built in 1931 by Wall Street businessman E. F. Hutton for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Sea Cloud embodies true elegance and poise. The ship was built with entertaining in mind, which makes the cabin tour even more fascinating. There is no sailing ship afloat that can compare for grace, fine service and the sheer joy of sailing. Sails are raised by hand by a spirited crew, who scramble up and down the masts to get the rigging done. When the sails are open, she’s just magnificent. She carries 30 sails measuring a total of 32,000 square feet, with a main mast height of 178 feet.

Common Areas Aboard Sea Cloud

Congregate on deck under the covered Lido Bar and relax in the open-air Blue Lagoon, a semi-circle of shusions at the stern of the ship that was nicknamed by Marjorie Merriweather Post. The sumptuous lounge is the venue for talks and presentations by expedition staff and guests are welcome on the open bridge to learn how Sea Cloud is navigated and sailed. Because Sea Cloud is a truly historic vessel, it is important to note that some passageways are tight and stairwells can be steep. Such original design aspects were made to leave more square footage for cabins and common areas and add to the historic charm of the sailing experience.

Meals Aboard Sea Cloud

Meals aboard Sea Cloud are known to be delicious. Served in single seatings, meals focus on outstanding local and continental cuisine. Excellent wines from well known regions are included at lunch and dinner. Refreshments are always available. 

Cabins Aboard Sea Cloud

The magnificent original cabins aboard Sea Cloud feature decorative fireplaces and marble baths, and the newer staterooms are handsome and spacious with wood paneling and a nautical motif. All cabins have a private view of the sea. The Main Deck has the ship’s original cabins, including the Owner’s Suites originally occupied by E.F. Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post. Cabins on the Promenade and Captain’s Decks have exquisite furnishings. Each room features a safe and individually adjustable A/C. Bathrooms all have water closets, marble sinks, gold-plated fixtures, hair dryers and outlets for razor.

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Talk to an AdventureSmith Travel Specialist Call us toll free at 1-877-620-2875 . Call us direct at 530-583-1775 .

Office Hours Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm Pacific Time.

Address 40169 Truckee Airport Road, Suite 201 Truckee, CA 96161

• Cruise search
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SEA CLOUD II

SEA CLOUD SPIRIT

• Fascinated by windjammer
• Low-impact tourism
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Exclusive charter

Our fleet at a glance

• 5 star windjammer
• 64 passengers
• 32 outside cabins (including 8 in the luxury section)
• Cruising areas: Caribbean in winter and Mediterranean in spring/summer/fall
• Zodiacs for beach landings, water sports equipment
• Lounge & Lido outside deck with presentation equipment
• Year of construction 1931

• 94 passengers
• 47 outside cabins
• Cruising areas: Caribbean incl. Cuba in winter and Mediterranean in spring/summer/fall
• Zodiacs for beach landings and water sports equipment as well as water sports platform
• Fitness room incl. massages
• Year of construction 2001

• 136 passengers
• 69 outside cabins (including 25 suites with balcony)
• Cruising areas: Caribbean incl. Costa Rica & Bahamas in winter, Mediterranean in spring & fall and North Europe in summer
• Zodiacs for beach landings, water sports equipment as well as water sports platform
• Spacious wellness/spa area & fitness room with ocean view
• Lounge & Lido outdoor deck with presentation equipment
• Year of construction 2021

INCENTIVE TRIP: WE HAVE A WHOLE SHIP FOR ALL YOUR IDEAS

Exceptional performance should be rewarded exceptionally. The planks of our yachts are the perfect platform for your incentive trip. Private celebrations and events for business partners or customers are given an exclusive setting on board. And since the unique atmosphere on a ship is naturally inspiring, teams are almost automatically attuned to new challenges or inspired for new goals.

WEDDING AND HONEYMOON: WITH TAILWIND INTO MARITAL BLISS

Which bridal couple doesn’t look for a special and romantic location for their wedding or honeymoon? SEA CLOUD CRUISES makes such dreams come true – in a small, very exclusive setting on a tall ship. When the ship’s lines come loose, everyday life is quickly left behind, relaxation sets in, feelings become more intense. You can hardly find a more beautiful ambience for a wedding. And it’s your choice: not only can you hold your celebration on board with friends and family, but you also have the opportunity to legally give your wedding vows on the SEA CLOUDs.

PRIVATE CHARTER: SET YOUR OWN COURSE!

A special birthday, a company anniversary or just a trip with friends and family: with an exclusive charter you can give your event a very personal touch. The route can be arranged individually according to your wishes and the shore and board program can be adapted to your personal needs and requirements. Plan a trip that offers your guests a unique experience that will remain in their memories forever.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME

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