Sea Cloud

The cruise ship Sea Cloud 1 is a tall-sailing ship built as a private yacht in 1931 (by Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel, Germany). The vessel was drydock-reconstructed and started cruise services in 1979. Sea Cloud was extensively refurbished in 2011 at MWB-Werft (Bremerhaven). Its sistership is Sea Cloud 2. These sail ships perfectly combine the elegance of sailing vessels with the luxury and comfort of the modern passenger ships. Sea Cloud Cruises fleet will be joined by a newbuild (Sea Cloud Spirit) entering service in 2020.

History - construction and ownership

The 2,532-ton, 64-passenger cruise ship Sea Cloud also served as a weather ship for US Coast Guard and US Navy during WWII. Following the war, the Sea Cloud sail ship served as a yacht for many people, including as the Dominican Republic’s presidential yacht. Sea Cloud cruise ship is very much like a private shelter and boasts some of the most appealing cabins and public rooms at sea.

Sea Cloud 1 is a 4-masted barque ship originally built as a private yacht. Subsequently, it served the USCG (Coast Guard) and US Navy as weather ship. The vessel was the first racially-integrated US warship. It also served as the Dominican Republic's presidential yacht.

Cruise itinerary program

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

Cabins

MV Sea Cloud has three passenger decks and only 32 cabins in 8 grades, all of which outside. Cabins vary considerably. All upper-grade cabins are with antique furniture and marble bathrooms with tubs. All cabins are without TVs.

All staterooms 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 ship’s 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 of Sea Cloud ship. 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" (inflatable water sledge).

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, Dominican Republic) 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).