Sea Cloud

The 1931-built cruise ship Sea Cloud 1 is a tall sailing vessel originally launched as a private yacht constructed by the shipbuilder Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel, Germany. The vessel was later reconstructed in drydock and began cruise operations in 1979.

Sea Cloud underwent an extensive drydock refurbishment in 2011 at MWB-Werft in Bremerhaven. The next major refurbishment is scheduled for 2025.

Sea Cloud's sistership is Sea Cloud II (built in 2000 as a close replica). In 2021, the fleet expanded with the addition of the world's largest sailing cruise ship, Sea Cloud Spirit. These vessels combine the traditional elegance of classic sailing ships with the luxury and comfort of modern superyachts.

All three ships are owned and operated by Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH (founded in 1979 and headquartered in Hamburg).

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

Occasionally, the vessel is seasonally chartered by Lindblad Expeditions.

Traditionally, Sea Cloud Cruises also offers private charters of Sea Cloud 1. The schedule typically combines regular revenue voyages with charter sailings. Charter clients are often specialized groups renting the ship for events such as religious conventions, corporate meetings, alumni gatherings, weddings, family celebrations, and themed cruises (including golf-themed voyages).

History - construction and ownership

The 64-passenger Sea Cloud 1 is a four-masted barque originally built as a private yacht for Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887–1973), an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and businesswoman. At the time, she was the owner of General Foods Corporation.

General Foods originated as the Postum Cereal Company, founded in 1895 by Charles William Post (1854–1914), a pioneer of the prepared-food industry. In 1988, General Foods merged into Kraft Foods Inc (now Kraft Heinz Company).

During World War II (1939–1945), the vessel served as a weather ship for the US Coast Guard and the US Navy. After the war, the ship returned to private ownership and served various prominent owners, including a period as the presidential yacht of the Dominican Republic.

Sea Cloud also holds historical significance as the first racially integrated ship in the US Navy.

The vessel retains the character of a private yacht and features some of the most distinctive cabins and public rooms found on a sailing cruise ship.

Decks and Cabins

Sea Cloud has 3 decks and only 32 cabins across 8 categories. All staterooms are outside cabins. Cabin layouts and sizes vary considerably.

Higher-category cabins feature antique furniture and marble bathrooms with bathtubs. None of the cabins are equipped with televisions.

Standard cabin amenities include a large wardrobe, electronic safe (located in the closet), dressing table or writing desk with chair, bedside cabinet with drawers, hairdryer, individually controlled air-conditioning, and en-suite bathroom with WC, shower, marble sink top, gold-plated fixtures, and razor socket. Windows are non-opening and are either half-height windows or portholes.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Dining venues aboard Sea Cloud include the main Restaurant (open seating) and the Lido Deck, where al fresco buffet meals are served accompanied by live music and performances by the Crew Shanty Choir. The cuisine reflects European culinary traditions and may vary depending on the nationality of the guests onboard. Complimentary wine is served during meals.

Several evenings per week, dinner is served in the ship's original dining room from a fixed menu. Afternoon snacks on the Promenade Deck are a daily highlight, with freshly prepared specialties such as waffles with ice cream, crepes made to order, or elaborate afternoon tea selections.

The vessel's most remarkable feature is its traditional sailing rig. Sea Cloud carries four masts, 29 sails, and a complex rigging system rising approximately 54 m above the deck. Unlike modern automated sail ships, all sails are handled manually by a team of around 18 crew members who climb the rigging to set and furl the sails.

Public spaces on board include the Lido Bar and a Lounge equipped with books, board games, literature, and a writing desk with a laptop. Additional facilities include the Lobby area (Reception and Purser's desk), a small onboard medical facility, Zodiac boats for shore operations, and the "Fun Island" water activity platform used for inflatable water sledding.

Itineraries

Sea Cloud 1 operates seasonal cruise itineraries in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, with departures from ports such as Piraeus (Athens) and Dubrovnik. Some voyages are operated in cooperation with the National Geographic Society.

The vessel is also frequently privately chartered.

Following the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sea Cloud 1 became the first ship in the Sea Cloud Cruises fleet to resume passenger operations, restarting service on August 27, 2021, with a departure from Piraeus.

In 2023, Sea Cloud in partnership with Lindblad introduced two new Mediterranean itineraries:

• 10-day “Extraordinary Adriatic: Croatia and Slovenia Under Sail” (August 17, 2023) from Venice to Dubrovnik (from US$14,670 per person, double occupancy)
• 16-day “Sailing the Western Mediterranean: Spain to Corsica” (April 19, 2023) from Lisbon to Naples (from US$25,170 per person)