Sea Cloud Cruises Sails Into The U.S. Market

Sea Cloud Cruises Sails Into the U.S. Market

By Anne Kalosh

Sea Cloud Cruises, which operates three majestic and authentic windjammers that are hand-sailed, opened a U.S. office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This means the Hamburg, Germany-based company is reaching out to travelers in the Americas who would like to try an experience that regular QuirkyCruise contributor Peter Knego, journalist, ship historian, preservationist, collector and ardent fan, described to me as a “gilded, floating time machine.”

Timeless Elegance

Extolling the 1931-built Hussar, renamed Sea Cloud, Peter said: “From the top of her billowing sails to the bottom of her beautifully sculpted keel, she oozes equal portions maritime lore and timeless elegance. Her story, from lofty beginnings as the [Marjorie Merriweather] Post family’s globetrotting yacht to her World War II duties, then service as the Dominican dictator’s retreat, all to be followed by sad years of decay and then a miraculous rebirth into an elegant cruise ship, reads like overwrought fiction and yet it is all true and then some.”

The company’s elegant namesake vessel, built in 1931, has a colorful history. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

He continued: “In addition to this rich history, what makes the Sea Cloud and her newer sisters such a magnificent cruising experience is their intimate size, unique off-the-beaten-track itineraries, the devoted crew and the glorious food.”

Sea Cloud carries 64 passengers, while the 2001-built Sea Cloud II has capacity for 94 and Sea Cloud Spirit, introduced in 2021, is “largest,” at 136 passengers.

Sea Cloud Cruises' 94-passenger Sea Cloud II

The 94-passenger Sea Cloud II was built in 2001. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

More U.S. Sales Support for Sea Cloud Cruises

Americans have always been able to book Sea Cloud, through such charter partners as Lindblad Expeditions and Kalos Golf, or through their travel advisor or directly with the company’s English-speaking German call center.

But now, via the U.S. office with its dedicated leadership, Americans will be hearing more about the brand, and travel advisors will get more education and support.

Heading the new Fort Lauderdale office are Mirell Reyes as president and Kevin Smith as vice president of sales. Reyes, formerly president of Star Clippers Americas, and Smith, most recently VP sales at American Queen Voyages, with experience from AmaWaterways and Silversea Cruises, are jumping in to raise Sea Cloud’s profile and sales via travel advisors, consortia and new charter partnerships.

“Mirell’s and Kevin’s vast cruise knowledge and background in the luxury high-end market combined with their strong industry relationships will play a major role in growing the Americas,” Sea Cloud Cruises U.S. CEO Daniel Schaefer said.

Sea Cloud Cruises’ Americas leaders are, from left, CEO Daniel Schaefer and newly appointed President Mirell Reyes and VP Sales Kevin Smith. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

Experiencing Sea Cloud Spirit

The new executives just returned from sampling Sea Cloud Spirit in Europe, flush with enthusiasm.

“With 44,000 square feet of sails, it takes your breath away,” Reyes said.

“There’s something so romantic about sailing,” Smith added. “When we shut the engines off and everyone’s on deck, and the wind hits the sails and the vessel lists to the right or to the left, it is a magical moment. You can see the guests fall in love with it.”

Smith was wowed even before sail-away when he arrived at his spacious cabin with its natural light, Jacuzzi tub and welcome bottle of Champagne, which all passengers receive.

“When the guests come on board, you hear nothing but the Champagne [corks] popping from the verandas,” he said. (Sounds great to us!)

Accommodations

Unusual for a sailing ship, 25 of the 69 outside cabins have balconies, including the three owner’s suites. And top deck accommodations have panoramic windows that open to the fresh air. Two cabins are designated for solo travelers.

“There is so much natural light, even in the spa, which is huge,” Reyes said. Elevators connect the decks, another rarity on a sailing yacht.

The outdoor lounge and bistro aft on Lido Deck form the heart of the vessel, a gathering place with a bar where lunch is served and, on Reyes and Smith’s cruise, where an oyster and wine pairing was held during the call at the North Sea resort of Sylt.

Sophisticated Yet Casual

“It’s an absolutely fabulous area,” Smith said. He described Sea Cloud as a “sophisticated product in a casual sailing experience, a blend of both worlds. It’s not a Silversea but a Silversea client can be comfortable here.”

A Sea Cloud Spirit Category C cabin with panoramic windows that open. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

The line has a music partnership with Steinway, and some sailings feature Champagne and Michelin-star chefs the German chef Tristan Brandt of the 18-seat Tambourine Room, one of Miami’s hottest restaurants.

Bilingual Cruises, International Crew

Germans comprise the biggest market for this bilingual (German and English) experience. Reyes, from Bremen, Germany, but living stateside for 17 years, said the Germans who travel with Sea Cloud Cruises are welcoming and curious about Americans.

Everyone bonds over their shared love for sailing.

The vessels are served by international crew. Sea Cloud captains, for example, hail from Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, Montenegro, the U.S. and Canada. (And the Canadian captain is a woman, Kathryn Whittaker.)

“Unique and Special” Itineraries

Itineraries are varied and non-repeating, and range from three nights to 16 nights.

“The beauty of this is going into those tiny, little ports in Europe and the Caribbean. Every itinerary is unique and special,” Reyes said, adding she’s not easy to impress after working in the cruise industry for 23 years. “I think I know every port out there. This is different.”

Destinations like Italy, Croatia and the Greek Isles are top destinations for North Americans. “We go there, but in a different way,” Reyes said, pointing to gems like the tiny Greek island where “Mamma Mia!” was filmed and visitors tour in horse-drawn carriages.

Classic itineraries like Barcelona-Nice tie in with the America’s Cup. Other sailings feature the Saint-Tropez Regatta or Grand Prix in Monaco. Six- and seven-night itineraries in Europe can be combined without repeating ports. Longer Caribbean sailings “dive in a little deeper.”

Under the rigging — Sea Cloud Spirit’s Sun Deck. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

Sea Cloud Cruises Offers All-inclusive Pricing

How much does it all cost? Stay tuned.

Sea Cloud Cruises will soon roll out 2024 all-inclusive pricing for the North American market, bundling in port charges, taxes, tips and all beverages, but not shore excursions because Smith said it’s better to give people the choice of touring as a group or individually.

Plus, in select destinations, special experiences are included, such as after-hours museum visits or beach barbecues.

QuirkyCruise will share more pricing and itinerary details when they become available.

Travel Advisor Support

With its new U.S. office, Sea Cloud Cruises is not marketing to consumers directly but instead is investing in travel advisors to tout the line to their clients.

Smith, whose father Bill Smith held leadership roles at top luxury brands like Silversea, Crystal and the luxury travel consortium Virtuoso and is beloved by travel advisors, said they are paramount.

To help them understand “this is truly different from anything out there,” Sea Cloud will be inviting travel advisors to sail at reduced rates on a special familiarization trip aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit, March 3, 2024, a round-trip Miami cruise to the Bahamas’ Family Islands and Key West.

Sea Cloud Spirit’s aft Lido deck is the heart of the ship. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises

Sailing, Luxury, History, Sustainability

Smith was drawn to Sea Cloud by “the sailing, the luxury, the history, the sustainability. When you shut off those engines and go under sail, you can’t be any greener.”

He added: “We have an opportunity to deliver an immersive experience unlike anybody else.”

In a message that rings true for QuirkyCruise, Smith said: “Everybody’s got this idea that bigger is better, and that’s really not the case. It’s getting down to a smaller passenger count where you can deliver an impeccable product … The way the crew delivers this product is unparalleled.

“It’s a higher level of service. This is world class.”