Cruise News - Maritime News

The third ship in the Sea Cloud Cruises‘ fleet touched water for the first time last week and is on track for debut in mid 2020.

Sea Cloud Spirit is under construction at the Metalships & Docks shipyard in Vigo, Spain. In the past week, the vessel passed her first round of sea worthiness trials.

The three-masted sailing vessel is said to be the largest three-mast passenger ship in the world, with a sail area of approximately 4,100 square meters, can accommodate up to 136 guests, and like her sister-ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II, will occupy a special niche within the expanding cruise market, offering a casual elegance sailing experience.

Sea Cloud Spirit is being fitted with two diesel-electric drives running on low-sulphur marine diesel.

“The use of heavy oil was never an option for us. We offer a sustainable experience that works in harmony with nature and the people whose countries we visit,” said CEO Daniel Schaefer.

Once completed, Sea Cloud Spirit shall present all the majesty of a tall ship, offering guests plenty of outdoor space and an exclusive wellness and spa concept, all with an elegant interior design in the style of a classic yacht.

Out of the 69 outer cabins, 25 will have private balconies and for the first time ever on a sailing ship, the Sea Cloud Spirit will also feature an elevator connecting the various decks. See ships details, Deckplan, Public Areas and Photo Gallery here...

In order to enhance the guests’ culinary experience, guests on the Sea Cloud Spirit will have the choice between fine dining in the restaurant and a casual dining experience on the lido deck. Like her sister vessels, the food concept focuses on local fresh food and wine.

“Since the tests were successful and the shipyard is running on time, the new ship’s maiden voyage is on track for August 29, 2020,” said Schaefer.

Interior construction on the new ship has begun at the Metalships & Docks shipyard in Vigo, Spain, and all work is going as planned, Sea Cloud said. Hamburg planning office Partner Ship Design is esponsible for the ship’s interior design. 

In 2008 the shipyard Factoria de Naval Marin was contracted with the construction of the "Hussar" in Vigo. The company filed for bankruptcy in the summer of 2010. Work on the sailing ship came to a standstill. And it began a year-long waiting for the largely already paid ship.

The flagship of the company Sea Cloud was built as a private yacht by the American multimillionaires Edward F. Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1931 at the Germania shipyard in Kiel.

Following a rich and varied history, the four-masted barque has been used by Sea Cloud Cruises for its luxury cruises for the last 40 years.

Celebrating her 90th birthday in 2021, Sea Cloud and its younger sister Sea Cloud II, regularly appear with five stars each in the Berlitz Cruise Guide’s list.