Confident Grand Dame, sporty style icon and generous hostess – the SEA CLOUD is a living legend. Built 90 years ago as a private luxury yacht, she combines extravagant charm and authentic windjammer feeling. LEGENDARY, UNIQUE AND VERY PRIVATE.
Golden swan-shaped water taps, magnificent marble fireplaces, French antiques – as heiress to a fortune worth millions, Marjorie Merriweather Post was able to give free rein to her imagination when building her private yacht, which was launched in Kiel in 1931. Even today, every detail on the SEA CLOUD radiates the glamour of a bygone era. Her elegance seems timeless, as she has retained her unconventional charm.
- Size boutique
- Style Luxury
- Type ocean
- Year of launch 1933
- Year of last refit 2011
- Gross tonnage 2532t
- Length 110.0m
- Width 15.0m
- Speed 10kts
- Decks 3
- Language German & English
- Currency US Dollar ($)
- No. of passengers 64
- No. of crew 60
- No. of cabins 30
- -wheelchair access 0
Step aboard Sea Cloud and be transported to the intoxicating golden age of sailing aboard a vessel as elegant and lively today as when heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her tycoon husband E.F. Hutton launched her in the 1930’s. The Huttons created one of the largest, most opulent private sailing yachts ever built. It’s rumored that Marjorie Merriweather Post never asked the price of a single item while designing and outfitting the ship—and today the charm of their era radiates across time.
All gratuities ashore are included in the expedition cost. Gratuities to crew aboard ship are at the guests' discretion. As a special feature, gratuities to crew aboard ship are included as well.
The 32 cabins could hardly be more different: depending on your personal taste, you can live a little more luxuriously in one of the eight original cabins or a little more modern in the comfortable outer cabins.
All the cabins on board the SEA CLOUD have their own, unique charm. If you want a stylishly elegant, cosy and modern cabin, then your best option would be one of the 18 outer cabins on the lido or promenade decks; these modern cabins have been seamlessly integrated into the ship. Perhaps the most maritime cabins are the four former officers' cabins, which have been carefully restored. These cabins feature a pair of bunks and a door which leads straight out onto the covered section of the promenade deck. On the main deck you will find the remarkable original cabins. Among these are the two famous suites which were once occupied by the ship's owners.
No matter which cabin you choose, the cabin service will provide everything you need. Your pretty maritime home is tidied twice a day, the fruit bowl is refilled, and the daily programme is left out for you to read (not to mention all the extra little touches...).
Luxury Owner's Cabin (Cat. A)
Cabin 1 - Probably the most legendary ship's cabin ever. Marjorie has furnished the luxury suite herself. Whenever she traveled with the SEA CLOUD, these rooms were her home. Fireplace and bathroom in white Carrara marble, gold-plated swan necks as fittings, valuable Louis Philippe chairs, a large bed of varnish in old white decorated with gold, elaborate ceiling ornaments and a room-high dressing mirror: the furnishings she selected with exquisite taste reflect the successful American entrepreneur’s desire to spend time on her private yacht in a luxurious ambience.
Cabin 2 - In addition to her exquisite taste, Marjorie’s attention to detail is evident in the interior of the owner’s cabins. This is also reflected in the suite of her first husband Edward Hutton, who gave her the unique SEA CLOUD as a gift. The maple wood panelling gives the cabin a feeling of warmth and solidity; the light coffered ceiling gives the room a certain lightness. Special highlight: Edward Hutton’s beautiful “Bureau Bookcase” secretary with mirrored glass.
No. 1 & 2
De Luxe Original Cabin (Cat. B)
Cabin 3 - The original guestrooms reflected the generous hospitality of the Huttons. Each of these cabins was individually designed with carefully selected furniture and precious materials. The original colonial-style cabin no. 3 with its comfort is a testimony to this tradition. Famous personalities from the nobility, business and show business have already bedded their heads in this and the other spacious original cabins.
Cabin 4 - During the construction period of the SEA CLOUD in Kiel and later, when Marjorie already lived on board, she collected precious antiques all over the world. The original cabin No. 4 is one of the many examples of how skillfully she integrated the valuable pieces into the interior of her private yacht.
Cabin 5 - Marjorie’s declared goal was to make her family and her guests feel at home every minute on board the SEA CLOUD. Accordingly, she has designed the rooms like this de luxe original cabin to be spacious and comfortable. Spacious antique mahogany chests of drawers, marble in the bathroom and by the fireplace and antique unique pieces spread a cosy elegance.
Cabin 6 - Every vacation on the SEA CLOUD is also a journey through time. As in all original cabins, in this de luxe cabin you will feel transported back to the time of the elegant world customer of the 1930s. The selected antique mahogany furniture is small and delicate. Thanks to the color selection of the fabrics, the room has an extremely warm, sunny and light atmosphere.
Cabin 7 - As the first owner, Marjorie also furnished the SEA CLOUD with so much love for detail because she wanted to offer her daughter Dina Merrill a wonderful and safe home on board. This is especially noticeable in cabin no. 7: here Dina spent a large part of her childhood. The furniture made of fine maple has mahogany inlays. The unusual floor plan with the sloping fireplace makes the cabin appear even larger.
Cabin 8 - The original guestrooms reflected the generous hospitality of the Huttons and still contain the soul of the SEA CLOUD. Cabin no. 8 is a fine example for the character of the exclusive private yacht as which the ship was designed from the very beginning.
- No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
De Luxe Original Cabin (Cat. C)
Cabins 9 and 10 are located in the original area on the main deck. Both rooms were redesigned into large De-Luxe outside cabins. The design is based on historical models with a modern accentuation and is kept in warm fabrics and wood tones. Both cabins are located at the end of the original area and are connected to the promenade deck by a separate staircase.
Double-Bed Cabins (Cat. 1)
Like all the cabins on the captain’s and lidodeck, these two rooms were only built in the late 1970’s and offer a great deal of comfort. Their outstanding feature is the panoramic windows placed over the corners, which make the overall impression bright and friendly.
- No. 30 & 31
Twin-Bed Cabins (Cat. 2)
Even though the cabins on the captain’s and lidodeck were harmoniously integrated into the SEA CLOUD only later, they naturally follow the standards set in the original area. Their tasteful interior design is a contemporary interpretation of the interior designed by Marjorie Merriweather in the 1930s. The comfortable interior corresponds with the wonderful view of the wide sea.
- No. 32-37
Twin-bed cabins (Cat. 3)
- No. 18-25
Twin-Bed Cabins (Cat. 4)
In addition to the comfort and luxury that characterize the SEA CLOUD, both cabins offer a special feature: the most charming place on the tall ship – the so-called Blue Lagoon – can be reached directly from them. The semi-circular, blue cushions that give the ship its name are the traditional place on board for relaxing sunbathing or – at night – for a dreamy view of the impressive starry sky above the ocean.
- No. 28 and 29
Upper-/Lower-Bed Cabins (Cat. 5)
- No. 14-17
Guarantee Cabins
Captain's and Lido Deck
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Bridge
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Lido Bar
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Lido Deck
- Spanker Deck
- Category 1 Cabins (Double Bed Cabins)
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Category 2 Cabins (Twin Bed Cabins)
Promenade Deck
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Purser
- Hospital
- Restaurant
- Lounge
- Category 3 Cabins (Twin-Bed Cabins)
- Category 4 Cabins (Twin-Bed Cabins)
- Category 5 Cabins (Upper-/Lower-Bed)
Main Deck
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Deluxe Category A Cabins (Luxury Owner's Cabins)
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Deluxe Category B Cabins (De Luxe Original Cabins)
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Deluxe Category C Cabins (De Luxe Outside Cabins)
As if by magic, the unique charm of the SEA CLOUD can entice many different kinds of people. Anyone on board will feel that they are in the right place, a place that fulfils their expectations, dreams and wishes. If you are looking for something special, you are sure to find it on board this sailing ship - all day, every day and everywhere on board.
Dining On Board
Sea Cloud’s dining room is panelled in warm woods and hung with original oil paintings. It is on the Promenade Deck, in Sea Cloud’s former salon, where Marjorie Merriweather Post received her guests. The chefs come from renowned, first-class restaurants, and offer fresh, contemporary cuisine inflected with regional flavours. They use fresh ingredients sourced locally, from sustainable providers whenever possible. By adding local flavours to a menu that also includes traditional favourites, the chefs aim to give you a greater sense of the cuisine and culture in the region you're exploring. An array of fresh fruits and delicious, fresh juices are key components of the breakfast buffet. Wines from well-known regions are served with lunch and dinner, and are included in the expedition price. There are fish or meat choices at every meal.
There’s no assigned seating in the dining room; in fact, many tables accommodate uneven numbers. This makes for easy mingling and the fun of sharing breakfast, lunch, or dinner with different new friends, or staff. And independent travellers can count on a welcome everywhere they turn.
Everyone quickly finds their favourite place on board: whether it’s a sundowner at the lido bar, in the comfortable deckchair, in the Blue Lagoon or with the first coffee on the bridge.
The Lounge
Selected picture books, high-quality literature, popular board games and a writing desk with a laptop can all be found in the cosy lounge on the promenade deck.
The Lido and Promenade Deck
If the weather is fine, you might like to sit on the lido deck at lunch time. The tasty snacks served at the buffet in the open air will both whet and satisfy your appetite. At certain times, our onboard pianist will provide pleasant background music to your conversations. The lido bar is a cosy place to wind down the evening. Quite befitting for any traditional sailing ship, the atmosphere can also get rather vibrant when the Crew Shanty Choir makes an appearance.
Not only is the promenade deck a quick route from one end of the ship to the other; in good weather, you will also find some very tasty refreshments there. The coffee, tea and light snacks are ideal for those who rise early, but also to provide sustenance in the afternoon between meals. Just imagine a freshly made waffle with ice cream under the white sails of a ship - that really is pure paradise!
Bridge
Excellent views of the sea and the 30 majestic sails can of course be enjoyed from the SEA CLOUD's bridge, where a range of historic nautical instruments almost conceal the modern technology. Operational circumstances permitting, the officers on the bridge will also be happy to answer questions about "their" sailing ship.
On-Board Life
On board the SEA CLOUD there are many wonderful spots where you can relax and unwind: from countless deckchairs, to elegant mahogany benches and the blue lagoon, where you can gaze up at the masts. Watching the movement of the sails and all the traditional tasks associated with a majestic sailing ship is one of the most wonderful activities on the high seas. The traditional rules of cruise travel might be thrown overboard; on board the SEA CLOUD you can travel the way you prefer. If you like, you can jog around the outer promenade deck or borrow snorkelling equipment for a trip ashore. The SEA CLOUD's onboard zodiac boats do not just take you ashore and back but are also used to tow "Fun Island", our inflatable water sled. And when conditions are calm enough, the gangway becomes a direct access point for the most beautiful swimming pool in the world: the sea.
There are no health and fitness facilities located onboard Sea Cloud. However, passengers are welcome to swim from the ship once the captain has selected and anchored the ship at a suitable location.
Swimming from Sea Cloud is more than your average jump into the sea. Like everything aboard, it is a special event unto itself. Site selection is important, as the captain looks to anchor the ship where it will provide a calm and sunny spot with a spectacular view. Down go the safety lines, to which a dozen or so floating mattresses are strung as a boundary. The gangway is lowered into the water, and the hotel manager lifeguard calls out with exuberance, “The pool is open!”
Soon, the sea is filled with smiling, laughing bobble-heads, buoyed up by the clear ocean’s salinity. This makes it easy to have the best experience of all on a Sea Cloud swim: swimming on your back or lying on a floating mattress, and looking up in awe at the towering masts and rigging above. Fellow shipmates line the rails taking photos of the swimmers, who are looking far, far beyond up into the heavens, which seem to be tickled with the tops of Sea Cloud’s four masts. Feeling of floating in the sea with the rigging reaching into the heavens stays with us forever, and is yet another exclamation point in a day in the life of Sea Cloud.
Please note: Sea Cloud does not offer any dedicated children's facilities.
Our journeys offer an ideal balance between a true sailing experience and enriching discoveries on land. Particularly in smaller destinations where large cruise ships are obliged to turn around, our sailing yachts are often able to reach the heart of the most stunning spots, where being genuinely welcomed is an unforgettable experience.
Zodiacs
Smaller ships, greater possibilities
Among the many joys of travelling smaller: a quick spin on a zodiac, enjoying the beach barbeques in secluded bays, photo safaris, pausing for a dip in the azure sea. And on selected tours, some exclusive experiences are included - a private concert, an opera house or a palace tour, a culinary visit to a special vineyard, or a front-row seat at a legendary regatta.
Watersports
Dive in and be active
Whether you want to start your swim directly from the ship or explore the colorful world on the reef - water sports are even more fun under the Caribbean sun. Equipment is available for everyone: Snorkels, fins and stand-up paddles are waiting for you. If you are in the mood for even greater action, let yourself be glided across the crystal clear waters by tubing in the Caribbean.