Extravigator - Cruises + Boating

Sea Cloud

hotelier — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:45:06 -0500

After reading the above descriptions of sailing on the Sea Cloud I decided to do some research about the history of the ship and found the following entry on Wikipedia.com that is really fascinating:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Sea_Cloud_(WPG-284)

In his initial post {above} Don Pablo said that "To sail on the Sea Cloud is to catapult yourself back in time to an era of old-fashioned elegance and luxury that only can be captured on a sailing ship, out on the open sea..." After reading about the background of the ship on Wikipedia, I can certainly see why!

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:46:47 -0500

For any of you who have ever sailed on the Sea Cloud, the Sea Cloud II or the River Cloud II, and have taken photographs of one or more of the ships, the Sea Cloud's management is sponsoring a photo contest, with the grand prize being a one-week Caribbean cruise for two, as well as other prizes:

http://photos.seacloud.com/index.php?id=23&L=1

All entries must be submitted by December 31, 2010.

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:22:48 -0400

According to the Sea Cloud website, the maiden voyage for the Sea Cloud Hussar has now been moved back to some time in 2011. However, when it eventually does make its debut, it looks like it'll be a fantastic sailing experience:

http://www.seacloud.com/en/the-ships/sea-cloud-hussar.html

Sea Cloud

wespj — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:44:50 -0500

Thanks for sharing all these photos. Looking incredible.

Sea Cloud

ddphipps — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:35:40 -0500

I was on the Sea Cloud II back in 2001 and am still raving about it! I hope to go on another Sea Cloud trip in my lifetime...truly a magical experience! The Sea Cloud Hussar looks incredible.

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:40:02 -0500

Let me try to answer your questions about the smaller cabins and whether or not we would still sail on the Sea Cloud for a week, if we couldn't book one of the owner's cabins. First of all, let me point out that we have sailed on the Sea Cloud II only once and, when we did, we did not stay in an "owner's cabin." We would do it again. (Actually, I don't even know if the Sea Cloud II has so-called "owner's cabins.") Turning to when we sailed on the Sea Cloud itself, we have done this on a number of different occasions and have always occupied Cabin # 1 (Marjorie Merriweather Post's cabin). Besides Cabin # 2 (E.F. Hutton's cabin) there are also six (6) other cabins that I believe were specifically designed to accommodate the couple's personal guests on the lengthy excursions that they would take. We've seen these six other cabins and, if we couldn't get Cabin #1 or Cabin #2, yes, we would stay in any of those other six cabins. However, we would not consider sailing on the Sea Cloud in any of the smaller cabins.

Sea Cloud

cibo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:06:16 -0500

Thanks DonPablo, I figured as much. Cabin decor and quality is a pretty important factor for some. Did you happen to see some of the smaller cabins? Perhaps another way to phrase the question is... would you still sail on the Sea Cloud for a week if you couldn't book one of the Owner's cabins?

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:26:23 -0500

Cibo and Trabzon - believe it or not, I agree with both of you. First of all, I never criticized Disney cruises. (I've never been on one and probably never will, so I'm not going to comment on something I've never experienced.) Next, as Trabzon says, you really can't compare the two cruise lines - I believe they are addressing two completely different markets. Also, clearly, it is quite possible that some of the less expensive cabins on the Sea Cloud are not as spacious or as comfortable as some of the more expensive cabins that one would find on a Disney cruise. But, that's just one of the many categories that make up the overall rating system that Condé Nast's Gold List uses. At the end of the day, if you combine the results for all the categories, there is no doubt that Sea Cloud Cruises sits alone at the top of Condé Nast's 2010 Gold List.

Sea Cloud

Trabzon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:44:14 -0500

Well, first I wouldn't knock the Disney Cruises, believe it or not, Disney offers some very luxurious accommodations.

Second, some of the Sea Cloud's lesser cabins look like they pale in comparison with the Owner's cabins.

But truthfully, you can't compare the two cruise lines. They are completely different experiences aimed at completely different demographics.

Sea Cloud

cibo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:14:01 -0500

That still doesn't quite explain why the Sea Cloud's cabins scored a poor 83.5 compared to Disney's 89.9 (hardly a contest!). Clearly the "owner's cabins" on the Sea Cloud are beyond luxurious. But, it sounds like 90% of the passengers on board don't get to enjoy such palatial accommodations.

So, tell us what are the other 32 cabins are like?

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:09:08 -0500

Sea Cloud Cruises amassed the top rating of 94.2 on Condé Nast's Gold List for 2010, while Disney Cruise Lines came in far behind at 87.9 - hardly a contest. Also, if one is seeking luxury accommodations (which is the focus of this particular website) one would be staying in one of the owner's cabins when traveling with Sea Cloud Cruises, and I don't believe that any other cruise line offers cabins as luxurious as found on the Sea Cloud, as shown in the photos found above in this discussion thread.

Sea Cloud

cibo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:57:53 -0500

Topping the Condé Nast Gold List is surely an impressive feat.

Though, I found it amusing that Disney Cruise Lines handily beat the Sea Cloud in the Cabins ratings by more than 5 points!

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:20:57 -0500

Condé Nast Traveler just released it's "GOLD LIST" for 2010 and rated Sea Cloud Cruises as the top-ranking cruise line in the world for this year:

http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/goldlist/2010/category/cruiselines

In doing so, they stated that "The "fabulous" top-scoring cruise line on this year's Gold List comprises vessels with wood paneling and gold railings, creating the ambiance and decor of a private club — one that plies the waters of Europe, North Africa, and the Caribbean. One transatlantic crossing sails from the Canary Islands to Barbados in 17 days. Owner's Suites are outfitted with Louis XIV-style king-size beds and antique furnishings. On excursions such as food tastings and demonstrations by chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants mean "no herding, and the local guides are first-rate and knowledgeable." The Sea Cloud Hussar, the newest "full-rigged three-mast ship," is expected to set sail in summer 2010."

European Barge Trips

DavidO — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:31:38 -0400

I really enjoyed our trip on L'Impressioniste. While the cabins are not large, you spend your time in the living room on the upper deck. There were only 12 guests, and the food was absolutely fabulous.

European Barge Trips

DonPablo — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:58:08 -0400

I'm sorry, but no. I guess we were having such a good time that we didn't take that many pictures while we were on board. In reviewing all the photographs that we have from the three different barge trips that we took, it seems that almost all of them were taken when we were off the barge. But, I can tell you that, in each case, our accommodations were significantly smaller than when we sailed on the Sea Cloud:

http://extravigator.com/discussion/264/sea-cloud/ :-)

European Barge Trips

loml95 — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:07:00 -0400

thanks, donpablo.
any pictures of your rooms?

European Barge Trips

DonPablo — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:32:09 -0400

Further to the write-up I posted on Extravigator.com in June of 2008 about traveling by luxury barge down the French canal system, here are a few photos of our barge trips with French Country Waterways.

Sea Cloud

The Rover — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:39:28 -0400

While the Sea Cloud is clearly in a class by itself, its owners are in the process of constructing what will probably be the most luxurious sailing ship that ever sailed the seven seas! To be named the "SEA CLOUD HUSSAR," it will be the largest and most modern, full-rigged, three mast passenger ship ever built. The ship is scheduled to make its maiden voyage sometime in the spring of 2010:

http://www.seacloud.com/en/the-ships/sea-cloud-hussar.html

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:47:38 -0400

Just as a follow-up to my posts about the Sea Cloud, Extravigator's readers might be interested in reading what Ben Lyons wrote about the ship in "Road and Travel":

http://www.roadandtravel.com/cruiselines/2005/seacloud.htm

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:08:51 -0500

Here are some more photographs from when we sailed on the Sea Cloud.....

Sea Cloud

etherscreen — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:44:26 -0500

Wow! Thanks so much for the posting. The boat looks absolutely amazing!

Sea Cloud

Nanoose — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:08:22 -0500

Thanks DonP for the photos. I loved the zooms of the faucets. These interior shots look like the White House.

Sea Cloud

The Rover — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:43:00 -0500

I've sailed on the Sea Cloud II, which is a more modern ship that is owned by the same company. It was quite an enjoyable experience. I think that the ratio of passengers to crew members on the Sea Cloud II is about the same as with the original Sea Cloud.

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:19:27 -0500

In describing the Sea Cloud, I should also mention that the ship is relatively small. There are only 34 cabins. So, since the crew numbers about 60 strong, very frequently, the members of the ship's crew outnumber the number of its passenger/guests!

Sea Cloud

sweetieno2 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:56:54 -0500

beautiful.
thank you for sharing these.

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:46:09 -0500

Here are some photos of the Sea Cloud under sail, as taken from the deck.

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:39:35 -0500

The rest of the ship is just as elegant. The dining room walls are mahogany and are adorned with old, classical paintings. Antique furniture can be found everywhere.

Dinner and breakfast are served in the dining room, and a bountiful buffet lunch is usually set out on deck, where you can eat with the wind at your back and the sails billowing above you. Needless to say, the food is delicious and varied. The wines are excellent and the service impeccable.

Rumor has it that the Sea Cloud will be retired from service in a few years. So, if you're thinking of experiencing the thrill of traveling on the ship, you had better do so soon, before this beautiful sailing vessel from days gone by is just a blissful memory.....

Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:39:23 -0500

A spacious, private bathroom is directly connected to the main room, with its own bath and shower and a sink with hand-made faucets made of gold. The bathroom itself is actually larger than the size of many of the other cabins on the ship.

Butler service is there at the touch of a button, and complimentary champagne, drinks, chocolates and pastries are provided on a continuing basis. The staff is friendly, charming and efficient. Words cannot fully describe the experience. It seems that you're sailing in the nineteenth century, not the twenty-first!

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Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:31:41 -0500

Donna Elena and I had sailed on the Sea Cloud before and we had arranged to stay in Cabin Number 1, which was one of the two original "owner's cabins." (Cabin Number 1 was Marjorie Merriweather Post's cabin, while Cabin Number 2 was E.F. Hutton's cabin.) So, when we decided to sail on the Sea Cloud once more (this time to a completely different set of destinations) we made sure that we would again be staying in Cabin Number 1.

One cannot believe how incredibly luxurious an experience staying in Marjorie Merriweather Post's cabin and sailing on the Sea Cloud can be. The recently-restored cabin is larger than most Presidential Suites that would typically be found in a five-star hotel. It has a king size bed, gold and crystal chandeliers and lights, a separate dressing area, huge closets (one of them a walk-in closet), beautiful antique furniture and even a large fireplace.

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Sea Cloud

DonPablo — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:53:54 -0500

One of, in not the, most luxurious sailing vessels in the entire world is the "Sea Cloud." A four-masted barque, the Sea Cloud was commissioned by the legendary Wall Street financier E.F. Hutton as an engagement gift for his bride-to-be, Marjorie Merriweather Post, designed by the acclaimed American yachting firm of Gibbs & Cox and built in Kiel, Germany in 1931. The ship was originally named the "Hussar" and, after going through enough international adventures and changes of owners to make a Hollywood movie, it now sails under the "Sea Cloud" name.

To sail on the Sea Cloud is to catapult yourself back in time to an era of old-fashioned elegance and luxury that only can be captured on a sailing ship, out on the open sea, far from land and far from the high-technology world we live in today. Donna Elena and I were lucky enough to take such a magical journey on the Sea Cloud in September, 2008, embarking from a small town near Rome and, then, sailing to Corsica, Sardinia and Elba, and eventually finishing our trip in Genoa.

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