Sea Cloud Spirit

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Sea Cloud Spirit cruise ship is Sea Cloud Cruises' newbuild full-rigged, 3-masted barque. This is currently the world's largest sailship - with LOA length 138 m (450 ft), GT 4230 tons and DWT 935 tons. The fleetmates are Sea Cloud 1 (1931-built sail yacht, cruiser since 1979) and Sea Cloud 2 (2000-built, 3-masted barque).

The vessel (IMO number 9483712, with yard/hull number "FACTORIA 158") is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 215855000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

In early-February 2022 was announced that The Ritz-Carlton (via the subsidiary The Yacht Portfolio) had acquired the Hamburg-based company Sea Cloud Cruises GmbH (operating via the travel brand "Sea Cloud Cruises"), adding to the fleet its 3-ship fleet. The acquisition expanded the Ritz-Carlton brand's portfolio in the luxury "small-ship cruise" market. The brand "Sea Cloud Cruises" remained, as well as the company's employees and management team led by Hermann Ebel (Managing Director).

The vessel's inauguration (as "Sea Cloud Hussar") was originally 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. The vessel's construction was restarted 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 the 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 fiberglass), 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.

Decks and Cabins

Sea Cloud Spirit staterooms (69 total, in 6 grades) are on 3 decks (out 5 total/4 passenger-accessible), allow max capacity 136 passengers (plus up to 90 crew). All cabins are outside, including 25 (all on Deck 3) with private, step-out balconies (22x Junior Suites and 3x Owner Suites). The other cabins are in categories Deluxe, Deluxe Lido, Superior, and Superior Single.

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 and lifejackets (in the closet), seating area (low table with armchairs), wardrobe (slide-open), minibar (refrigerator), coffee machine, en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, glass-door shower, single-sink with under vanity storage, hairdryer, bathrobes, premium bath products and cosmetics), LED lighting, individually controlled air-conditioning.

Each of the Deluxe Cabins (on Deck 2) is fitted with 2 single beds and 2 small Porthole windows (round-shaped, non-opening). Deluxe Lido cabins (forward on Deck 4) are with large opening windows overlooking the boat's Promenade/Lido Deck.

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 (midship on Deck 3) 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.

Two Single Cabins are located forward on Deck 2 and can be booked without single supplement. All other staterooms can be booked as studios (by solo travelers) but with a single supplement 50% (categories D-Deluxe, E-Superior) and 100% (categories A-Owner Suite, B-Junior, C-Deluxe Lido).

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, aft).

The luxury yacht also features a large Wellness & Spa complex with treatment rooms (for massages), hydro-massage showers, sauna room, steam room, relaxation lounge, beauty salon (hairdresser, manicures-pedicures), Lobby Hall (Reception, Purser, Tours-Cruise Director), Fitness (modern indoor Gym with cardio machines), Promenade Deck (Lido), large Sun Deck with Jacuzzi (whirlpool hot tub), sunbathing area (loungers, tables, deckchairs, daybeds, showers) and 4x Zodiacs (speedboats for coastal cruising and landings).

Other signature facilities are Swimming Platform (extending from Deck 2 aft-starboard), Library (bow-located reading lounge on Deck 4), two Boutique Shops (Decks 2-3 aft), Hospital (Deck 2 forward - Infirmary with doctor and nurse on 24-hour duty), Bar Lounge (Deck 4 midship, with a Steinway grand piano), Dining Room Restaurant (Deck 3 aft, with adjacent Galley/Kitchen) and Lido Restaurant (bar and 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.

Itineraries

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

However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship's inauguration was postponed for 2021 (first for April then for September). The original inaugural itineraries (2020/canceled) included:

• (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)

The boat's Caribbean season (with the new USVI call port) offered 3 itineraries - Nov 24 - Dec 4, Dec 4-13, and Dec 13-20.

• The Maiden Voyage in 2021 was first scheduled for April 22nd, leaving from Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Spain) right after the naming ceremony. The 10-day itinerary (themed "Tour of Spain") was a roundtrip from Palma to Barcelona, Tarragona (Costa Daurada), and Valencia.
• Later, the Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for June 2, 2021. The 10-day itinerary (leaving roundtrip out of Civitavecchia-Rome) had as call ports Livorno (overnight), Portoferraio (Elba Island), Olbia (Sardinia Island), Trapani (Sicily Island), Palermo (Sicily), Salerno and Naples. Inaugural Cruise prices (in EUR) were as follows: 12255 (Owner Suite), 10775 (Junior Suite), 9175 (Deluxe Lido), 8145 (Deluxe), 7125 (Superior), 8745 (Superior Single).
• In May 2021 was announced the final Maiden Voyage date - September 14th (booking code SCS-C21001). The 10-night itinerary (roundtrip from Civitavecchia) included only Italian ports - Livorno (Sept 15-16/overnight), Portoferraio (Elba Island), Olbia (Sardinia Island), Trapani (Sicily), Palermo (Sicily), Salerno and Naples. Prices ranged between EUR 7125 (Superior cabin) and EUR 12255 (Owner Suite).

For winter season 2021-2022 (November through April), the boat was deployed in the Canaries. Winter 2022-2023 season was planned to be in the Caribbean and Central America, with some departures from Florida to the Bahamas.

Sea Cloud Spirit cruise deals are inclusive of onboard gratuities, port fees, accommodation and all meals, welcome gifts (bottle of champagne), Gala Dinner (5-course/once per cruise), two Cocktail Parties with champagne (Welcome, Farewell), unlimited soft drinks and juices, wines and beers by the glass (during lunches and dinners), premium-brand teas and coffees, bottled water (also on land tours), fresh fruits (in cabins/replenished daily), laundry service (free only for categories A-B-C), tour guide and lecturer.