Sea Cloud Spirit

The cruise ship Sea Cloud Spirit is Sea Cloud Cruises newbuild (2020). The full-rigged, 3-masted barque is currently world's largest sail ship - with LOA length 138 m (450 ft), GT 4230 tons and DWT 935 tons. The vessel's fleet mates are Sea Cloud 1 (1931-built private yacht, cruise service since 1979) and Sea Cloud 2 (2001-built 3-masted barque cruise ship). Sea Cloud Cruises fleet also includes the boat River Cloud 2.

History - construction and ownership

Vessel's inauguration (as "Sea Cloud Hussar") was scheduled for 2010. However, its construction was stopped after Factoria Naval de Marin (shipbuilding company specializing in luxury yachts) declared bankruptcy in 2010. The Spanish shipyard (in Marin, Pontevedra-Galicia, Spain) produced only the hull and part of the superstructure.

The shipbuilding order was placed in 2008. Cruise ship's construction was re-started in 2018 at Metalships and Docks SAU (shipyard in Vigo, Spain) with scheduled delivery in 2020. The current shipowner Sea Cloud Cruises is a Kiel Germany-based cruise company managed by Daniel Schaefer (CEO).

The vessel (design "C-158") was commissioned by shipowner Fernando Fernandez Tapias (Spanish businessman, shipping companies owner). The contract value was USD 100 million. Sea Cloud Hussar's construction started in 2008, but due to the economic crisis, the shipyard stopped working, and eventually declared payment suspensions. Hansa Treuhand rejected the vessel because of the project's high cost and uncertain future. The vessel was in its final stages of completion when in July 2010 works were halted due to shipyard's bankruptcy. The new shipowner (as mortgage lender) became BANKIA (2010-founded merger of several Spanish savings banks).

In 2014, the Vigo-based Rodman Group bought the hull from BANKIA. On May 7, 2015, the uncompleted mega-yacht was launched (floated-out from Naval Marin's drydock). It was towed to the Rodman Group-owned shipyard "Metalships & Docks" (Vigo Spain), moored and waiting for a buyer.

In September 2016, the shipyard signed a letter of intent with Hansa Treuhand Finance GmbH (part of the Hamburg-based Hansa Treuhand Holding AG) to complete Sea Cloud Hussar. In 2018, the ship was acquired by Sea Cloud Cruises and its construction was re-started.

The shipbuilder Rodman Polyships SL (a subsidiary of Rodman Group) is one of the largest superyacht-building companies. Rodman specializes in ship-building and repairs, construction of pleasure boats (made from polyester reinforced with fibreglass), production of large pieces in composite materials, construction of semi-rigid boats. Rodman boats as LOA length vary between 2-170 m (7-558 ft). In 2015, Rodman Polyships had under construction 10x passenger catamarans (84-ft, 350 passengers) and 40x high-speed patrol boats, plus numerous 33-ft yachts.

Cruise itinerary program

Sea Cloud Spirit itinerary program and schedule were announced in late-June 2019. Megayacht's inaugural season (August through December 2020) will be in the Caribbean and will feature a new destination - USVI (Virgin Islands). Bookings on Sea Cloud Spirit cruises opened on January 17, 2020.

Inaugural cruise itineraries (2020) include:

• (August 29-September 11) "Maiden Voyage" from Lisbon to Civitavecchia-Rome
• (Sept 28-Oct 8) "Viewing of the Classic Regatta" from Civitavecchia-Rome to Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice)
• (Sept 18-22) roundtrip from Naples
• (Oct 8-12) roundtrip from Nice
• (Nov 5-9) roundtrip from Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
• (Nov 9 - 24) "Transatlantic Sailing" / 14-day repositioning cruise from the Canary Islands to Caribbean (Las Palmas to Philipsburg-St Maarten Island)

Ship's Caribbean cruise season with the new USVI call port offers 3 itineraries - Nov 24 - Dec 4, Dec 4-13 and Dec 13-20.

Cabins

Sea Cloud Spirit has capacity 136 passengers (plus up to 90 crew), 4 passenger decks (out of 5) and 69 staterooms, all of which are outside. Of all cabins, 32 are with private, step-out balconies. Those include 26x Junior Suites and 6x Owner Suites. The other cabins are in category "Deluxe".

All staterooms offer as standard (complimentary) amenities smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system - Internet, movies-on-demand, ship info channel, real-time Bridge Cam views), single or double beds with bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, mirrored dressing table / writing desk with chair, electronic safe box (in the closet), seating area (low table with armchairs), wardrobe (slide-open), mini-bar (refrigerator), en-suite bathroom (WC, glass-door shower, single-sink with under vanity storage, hairdryer, premium bath products), LED lighting, individually controlled air-conditioning.

• Each of the Deluxe Cabins (on Deck 2) is fitted with 2 single beds and 2 small (round-shaped, non-opening) Porthole windows.
• Junior Suites (on Deck 3) are sized between 315-355 ft2 (29-33 m2) and feature panoramic windows, queen-size double bed (convertible to twins), walk-in closet, larger bathroom (with full bathtub), balcony.
• Owner Suites (forward on Deck 4) have a queen-sized double bed (fixed), sitting area (with sofabed), walk-in closet, larger bathroom (with full bathtub), powder room (half-bath / WC-washbasin), balcony.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Cruise ship's interiors were designed by the German company Partner Ship Design (Hamburg). Sea Cloud Spirit is the world's first sail ship with an elevator. The lift is located midship and connects all decks (including top-deck). The boat has 3 staircases (forward-bow, midship and aft).

The luxury yacht also features a large Wellness complex with SPA treatment rooms (for massages), hydro-massage showers, sauna room, steam room, relaxation lounge, beauty parlour (hairdresser, manicures-pedicures), Lobby area (Reception, Purser, Tours-Cruise Director), Fitness (modern gym with cardio machines), Promenade Deck (Lido), large Sun Deck (with Jacuzzi whirlpool and sunbathing area with loungers and deckchairs).

Other signature facilities are Swimming Platform (extending from Deck 2 aft-starboard), Library (bow-located reading lounge on Deck 4), Boutique Shop (Deck 4 aft), Hospital (Deck 2 forward - infirmary with doctor and nurse on 24-hour duty), Bar Lounge (Deck 4 midship), Dining Room Restaurant (Deck 3 aft) and Lido Restaurant (bar bistro on Deck 4 aft). Both dining venues feature panoramic 270-degree views.

Onboard dining includes 4-course dinner menus and fresh-made gourmet dishes with mainly locally-sourced ingredients and fresh fish. Food and service are exceptional. Weather permitting, al fresco dining (meals served on deck) is also offered.

Dinners are with a fixed menu and waiter-served in the Dining Room. Menus are based on European cuisine but could be tempered depending on passengers' nationalities. Each day on Promenade Deck is provided complimentary Afternoon Tea service with fresh-made snacks, including waffles with ice-cream, cakes, made-to-order crepes. Complimentary wine is offered at all meals.