Sea Cloud II

★★★★★

Berlitz’s Ratings

Ship: 432 out of 500

Accommodation: 173 out of 200

Food: 339 out of 400

Service: 335 out of 400

Entertainment: 90 out of 100

Cruise: 332 out of 400

Overall Score: 1701 out of 2000

Sea Cloud II Statistics

Size: Boutique Ship

Tonnage: 3,849

Cruise Line: Sea Cloud Cruises

Former Names: none

Builder: Astilleros Gondan, Figueras (Spain)

Entered Service: Feb 2001

Length (ft/m): 383.8/117.0

Beam (ft/m): 52.9/16.1

Propulsion/Propellers: sail power + diesel (2,500kW)/2

Passenger Decks: 4

Total Crew: 60

Passengers (lower beds): 94

Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 40.9

Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 1.6

Cabins (total): 47

Size Range (sq ft/m): 215.2–322.9/20.0–30.0

Cabins (for one person): 0

Cabins with balcony: 0

Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 0

Wheelchair accessibility: None

Elevators: 0

Casino (gaming tables): No

Swimming Pools: 0

Self-Service Launderette: No

Library: Yes

Onboard currency: Euros

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Sea Cloud Cruises

This fine ship provides exclusive,relaxing sail-cruises for couples

The Ship. This three-mast tall ship (called a barque) is slightly longer and beamier than the original Sea Cloud, and has the look, ambience, and feel of a 1930s sailing vessel (think polished woods, brass elements, gold fittings, and marble fireplaces), while benefiting from the latest high-tech navigational aids. It complements the company’s original, 1931-built Sea Cloud in almost every way, including its external appearance – except for a very rounded stern in place of the counter stern of the original ship.

The interior designers have managed to replicate the same beautiful traditional look and special decorative touches, so anyone who has sailed aboard Sea Cloud will feel instantly at home. Whether the modern materials used in this ship (which entered service in 2001) will stand up to 85 years of use like those of the original remains to be seen, but it’s certainly quality. The main lounge is truly elegant, with sofa and large individual tub chair seating around oval drinks tables. The ceiling is ornate, with an abundance of wood detailing, and an oval centerpiece is set around skylights to the open deck above. A bar is set into the aft port side of the room, which has audio-visual aids built in for lectures and presentations.

A treasured aspect of sailing aboard this ship is its ‘Blue Lagoon’, at the very stern – part of the Lido outdoor bar and casual dining area. Weather permitting, you can lie on thick blue padding and gaze up at the stars and warm night sky – it’s a huge pleasure, particularly when the ship is under sail, with engines off.

In terms of interior design, degree of luxury in appointments, the passenger flow, fabrics, food, service, the ceiling height of public rooms, larger cabins, great open deck space, and excellent passenger/space ratio and crew per passenger ratio, there is none better than Sea Cloud II. I have sailed aboard both this and its sister vessel, and I can promise you a memorable sail-cruise experience.

A small water-sports platform is built into the aft quarter of the starboard side (with adjacent shower), and the ship carries four inflatable craft for close-in shore landings, as well as snorkeling equipment.

There are three masts and 30 sails, measuring a billowing 32,292 sq ft (3,000 sq m). There are: Bowsprit, flying jib, fore topgallant staysail, outer jib, inner jib; fore topmast staysail, fore mast, fore royal, fore topgallant, fore upper topsail, fore lower topsail, fore course; main royal staysail, main topgallant staysail, main mast, sky sail, main royal, main topgallant, main upper topsail, main lower topsail, main course, mizzen topgallant staysail, mizzen topmast staysail; mizzen mast, upper spanker, lower spanker, mizzen spanker boom, middle gaff, and upper gaff.

This is just about as exclusive as it gets – sailing in the lap of luxury aboard one of the world’s finest true sailing ships – although your experience will depend on which company is operating the ship (it may be under charter) when you sail, and what is included in the package.

Accommodation. The decor in the cabins is very tasteful 1920s retro, with lots of bird’s-eye maple wood paneling, brass accenting, and beautiful molded white ceilings. All cabins have a vanity desk, hairdryer, refrigerator (typically stocked with soft drinks and bottled water), and a combination TV/DVD unit. Comparisons are bound to be made between this and its sister ship, and if you have sailed aboard the original Sea Cloud, you may be disappointed with the smaller space and decoration of the equivalent cabins aboard this ship.

All cabins have a private bathroom with shower enclosure (or tub/shower combination), and plenty of storage space for products. Toilets are of the quiet, gentle flush type. The cabin current is 220 volts, although bathrooms also include a 110-volt socket for shavers.

There are two suites. Naturally, these have more space – but not as much space as the two Owner’s Suites aboard Sea Cloud. They comprise a completely separate bedroom, with four-poster bed, and living room, while the marble-clad bathroom has a full-size tub.

There are 16 Junior Suites. These provide a living area and sleeping area with twin beds that convert to a queen-size bed. The marble-clad bathroom is quite opulent, and has a small tub/shower combination, with lots of cubbyholes to store toiletries.

Dining. The one-sitting dining room is open-seating, so you can dine with whom you wish. It is decorated in a light, modern maritime style, with wood and carpeted flooring, comfortable chairs with armrests, and circular light fixtures. The gold-rimmed plates used for the captain’s dinner – typically a candlelit affair – have the ship’s crest embedded in the white porcelain; they are extremely elegant and highly collectible (purchase on-board is available). The place settings for dinner, also often by candlelight, are green and white.

There is always excellent seafood and fish, purchased fresh, locally, when available, as are many other ingredients. For breakfast and lunch, there are self-serve buffets. These are really good, and beautifully presented – usually indoors for breakfast, and outdoors on the Promenade Deck for lunch. Meal times are announced by the ringing of a bell.

European wines typically accompany lunch and dinner – mostly young vintages. Soft drinks and bottled water are included in the fare, while alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Entertainment. There is a keyboard player/singer for the occasional soirée, but nothing else – nothing else is needed since the thrill of sailing is the entertainment. Dinner and after-dinner conversation with fellow passengers really becomes the main evening activity. So, if you are feeling anti-social and don’t want to talk to your fellow passengers, take a good book or two.

Spa/Fitness. There is a health/fitness area, with a small gymnasium, and sauna. Massage and facials are available.