Sea Cloud II Expert Review — Luxury Under Sail, Peter Knego’s Tall Ship Tale

Sea Cloud II Expert Review

By Peter Knego

To fully love and appreciate the splendid, three masted deluxe cruise bark Sea Cloud II, it helps to understand her origins. She exists because her namesake, the original Sea Cloud, became such a success as a deluxe cruise ship that there was ample demand to build a modern ship to emulate her elegance and style.

The original Sea Cloud (left) shadows the Sea Cloud II off Dominica during a tandem sailing of both fully rigged vessels. * Photo: Peter Knego

It all began in 1978, when a Hamburg-based consortium purchased the largely forgotten former private yacht Antarna, which had been languishing for years off Panama. Built as the Hussar V in 1931 for cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her financier husband, E.F. Hutton, the 2,492-gross ton vessel originally carried a mere eight guests in superlative luxury, enjoying a storied career that included hosting the rich and famous and serving heroically in World War II before fading into obscurity and neglect.

Antarna’s new owners rechristened the ship Sea Cloud, the name given to her in 1936 (after Post divorced the philandering Hutton), sailed her across the Atlantic and transformed her into a 64-guest luxury cruise ship to operate under the newly formed Sea Cloud Cruises banner. For years, the Sea Cloud was unrivaled as the most luxurious sail-assisted cruise ship in the world until her owners decided it was time to give her a new fleetmate.

RELATED: Peter reviews the legendary Sea Cloud and shares his videos of the ship.

Sea Cloud II Joins The Fleet

After considerable planning, the Astileros Gondan shipyard in Asturias (Northern Spain) was chosen to build the Sea Cloud II. It took no less than three years to construct and fit her out to Sea Cloud Cruises’ exacting specifications.

When she was delivered in 2001, the Sea Cloud II looked and felt like a classic, early 20th-century sail-assisted yacht but boasted the creature comforts required for a deluxe cruise ship in the early 21st century, including spacious suites and cabins, a small spa, supremely elegant public areas and a dedicated crew.

Sea Cloud II in her full glory with all sails unfurled. * Photo: Peter Knego

At 3,849 gross tons, Sea Cloud II is 50% larger than her namesake fleetmate and carries 30% more guests (94), which gives her a bit more space per guest.

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On my recent sailing, I felt very much at home on board and gleaned from fellow guests that many of them favor the II over any other ship, including her two fleetmates.

RELATED: Anne Kalosh reviews the Sea Cloud Spirit.

VIDEO: Here’s Peter’s First Impressions overview of the Sea Cloud II.

HEY: Check out Peter’s YouTube channel MidShipCinema to view a a ton of great ship videos, many small and quirky, and others, fascinating heritage vessels.

Sea Cloud II Review, From Top To Bottom

Sea Cloud II’s four guest decks begin at the top with Sun Deck, which has an open observation platform in front of the bridge and a midships terrace with a cushioned seating area called The Blue Lagoon (taking its name from the fantail area on the original Sea Cloud).

A spacious, teak-lined observation platform unfolds in front of Sea Cloud II’s bridge on Sun Deck. * Photo: Peter Knego

Named for the cushioned fantail of the original Sea Cloud, the Blue Lagoon is a favorite spot for guests to enjoy views of the sea, the towering masts and billowing sails. * Photo: Peter Knego

Like the rest of the ship, this deck is lined in gorgeous, freshly scrubbed teak, which is integrated with polished brass and metal gear and artfully stowed ropes.

The next level, Lido Deck, begins with the long fo’c’sle that is a crew area but opened up once per cruise for guests to enjoy a pose by the bowsprit. An open, teak-lined promenade with teak deck chairs encircles two deck housings here, the first of which begins with the beautiful Library.

Facing aft from the forecastle of the Sea Cloud II under a full canvas of sails. * Photo: Peter Knego

Fronted with brass-framed, arched windows that are reminiscent of early 20th-century ocean liners like the Kaiser Wilhelm II or the first Mauretania, the Library seats a mere 12 guests who have access to a selection of German books on the port side and English to starboard. Its period decor includes etched crystal chandeliers, an actual compass inset in the decking and burled wood veneers, all with gorgeous views facing forward and off to either side.

The ornately detailed Library is a portal to the romantic era of crossings and cruises. * Photo: Peter Knego

Directly aft of the Library, there is an Owners’ Suite on each side and an alleyway that leads to the main staircase, where the uppermost vestibule is crowned with a skylight that looks straight up to the mainmast.

An open terrace follows this part of Lido Deck, connecting port and starboard sides underneath the mainmast, where crew often man the winches, lines and ropes as the sails are unfurled and eventually re-furled.

The interior of the second deck housing begins with the lovely Lounge, which can accommodate all of the ship’s guests and has more of those gorgeous, brass-framed, arch-topped windows on either side. On the forward bulkhead, there is a marble fireplace (with mood lighting) that is centered underneath a painting of the Sea Cloud. Heavy, wood-framed leather seating fills the room and is set around equally hefty, marble-topped cocktail tables, all of which can be dutifully rearranged into a theater setting for the daily enrichment lectures.

Other than the lectures, which were comprised of engagingly detailed presentations about each port of call in German and English by guest lecturer Stephen Bohling and a wonderful recap of the seven lives of the storied Sea Cloud by Yvonne Lenz, the room was underused.

The Lounge evokes the splendor of an early 20th-century ocean liner. * Photo: Peter Knego

It turns out that the ship’s largely German clientele much prefer the open air Lido, especially during the balmy Caribbean cruise season. This is understandable, of course, but it would have been so nice to have one or two events in the Lounge to take advantage of its genuine Steinway piano and inviting bar, as well as the dramatic skylight in its center, all of which would have made an ideal backdrop for chit chat and cocktails.

Perhaps on the Mediterranean itineraries, the Lounge is given a more prominent role. Meanwhile, directly aft, there is a vestibule that leads out to Lido Deck and down, via the aft stair tower, to the accommodations.

The aforementioned Lido Bar follows the second deckhouse on Lido Deck. Its long teak bar is situated underneath a canopy that shelters clusters of cushioned teak seating atop more of that beautifully scrubbed teak decking.

On our 10-night cruise, the Lido was the setting for an early risers’ breakfast, an occasional gala brunch, daily lunch and most dinners. During these functions, a long table in front of the bar was set up as a buffet counter with a salad bar, cold sides, soup, desserts, coffee and ice cream for lunch and most dinners.

Lunch time in the Lido. * Photo: Peter Knego

On the open deck to starboard, for lunch and dinner, there was a grill with hot steaks, meat dishes, fish and the occasional pasta station, as well as a selection of hot side dishes.

Catering to a largely German clientele, the meat cuts, fish and shell fish are of a particularly high standard and the sea food is locally sourced.

The Sea Cloud II’s chef is dwarfed by the catch of the day. * Photo: Peter Knego

Afternoon tea is offered on the Lido’s long buffet table with coffee, teas and various fresh baked sweets and savories, accompanied with live piano music from resident musician Rufat (who would have been a treat to hear on that Steinway in the Lounge).

On a couple of the more formal nights, dinner was offered with a set full service menu with a choice of meat, vegetarian or fish entrees presented on dome-covered chargers, which were presented and lifted in unison by the wait staff in Old World tradition. Wines and beer are included with lunch and dinner, along with a choice of cocktails. And for fellow caffeine lovers, specialty coffees are also included in the fare.

The Lido was host to live music by Rufat before and after dinner and once per cruise, a Pirates’ Night, where crew and guests alike donned pirate wear and sang along to a variety of sea shanties.

Pirates’ Night in the Lido under full sail was one of many highlights of sailing on the Sea Cloud II. * Photo: Peter Knego

There were no big shows, no loquacious cruise directors and no big ship glitz. Instead, the Sea Cloud II provided a convivial setting for those who do not require casinos, myriad distractions and limbo lines.

In other words, life on board is tailored for those who love ships, sails and the sea.

Adjacent to the Lido Bar, the farthest aft portion of Lido Deck is an open space with cushioned loungers and seating on the fantail. This is the one designated smoking place on the ship, except during meal times.

The farthest aft portion of Lido Deck is an open space for relaxing and sunning. * Photo: Peter Knego

VIDEO: Peter shares a lovely sunset view from the Sea Cloud II.

The next level, Promenade Deck, houses three Category C Deluxe staterooms forward and sixteen Category B Mini-Suites, all boasting a trio of arched picture windows that look out to the covered promenade. On those promenades, there are teak life vest benches filled with snorkeling equipment that guests can use and a few chairs where one can sit and gaze out at or just listen to the gurgling sea.

The Reception Lobby is midships on Promenade Deck and farther aft on the starboard side, there is a boutique with Sea Cloud II sundries that leads to the lovely Dining Room, another underutilized space that spans the width of the ship at the stern. Like the Library and Lounge, the Dining Room has arched, brass-framed windows, and, like the Lounge, a lofty skylight in its center.

Shown in a port-facing view, the Dining Room takes its inspiration from classic German ocean liners. * Photo: Peter Knego

Warm wood tones and a sea foam green color scheme with etched crystal chandeliers and polished brass elements are a nod to the style of early 20th-century German ocean liners. And to illustrate that theme, a large oil painting on the forward bulkhead (that is partially obscured by the buffet counter) captures Hamburg harbor in the early 1930s.

Meanwhile, lining the aft bulkhead, there are four Impressionist style oil paintings that appear to be from the same era. Like all of the Sea Cloud II’s interior spaces, the Dining Room has been rendered with no expense spared and with a wonderful attention to detail.

A painting in the dining room of Hamburg harbor in the early 1930s with a classic German ocean liner (one of the three funneled “CAPs” that sailed to South America) is featured behind the buffet. * Photo: Peter Knego

Every day, a breakfast buffet was offered in the Dining Room with an assortment of cold cuts, juices, yogurt, egg dishes and baked goods, as well as an omelette station. The baked goods and fresh fruits were almost always excellent but the cereals (mainly American brands, perhaps inspired by the legacy of Emily Cadwalader Post) and yogurts were a little below this caliber of ship.

The Dining Room was only used for dinner on two of the slightly more formal nights.

One of the vegetable appetizers served at dinner in the Dining Room. * Photo: Peter Knego

As far as dress is concerned, on these nights (the second and second to last), it was all about coats for men and country club chic for women with no need for tuxes and gowns. On most nights in the Lido, men tended to wear polo shirts and khakis (no jeans) but when the heat index soared, nice shorts were not out of the question. By day, the dress code focused on being comfortable, so shorts, tees and the like were perfectly acceptable.

The lowest level, Cabin Deck, is home to more accommodations, the hospital, a small gym with cardio machines, free weights and a stretching area as well as a spa with a treatment room and sauna.

The Spa consists of a treatment room (with a menu of options available for a fee). * Photo: Peter Knego

The small gym has an elliptical, a stationary bike, a rowing machine and free weights. * Photo: Peter Knego

This is also where the swim platform is located, which on our cruise was opened up while the ship anchored off St Lucia and Virgin Gorda.

Take it from this enchanted guest, there is nothing more refreshing or exhilarating than jumping into the sea off an anchored Sea Cloud ship!

Another highlight of sailing with the Sea Cloud II is having the option to swim in the sea alongside the ship (when conditions permit), which in this photo was while anchored off St. Lucia. * Photo: Peter Knego

Ten Nights Of Caribbean Cruising on a Cloud

Our 10-night night cruise began and ended in St. Maarten, where the II home-ported for the greater part of winter and early spring. From our speeding taxi across the bay, it was delightful to spot her three masts towering over the massive cruise ships that lined the quay, knowing that an intimate and refined cruise experience awaited, versus the organized chaos of big ship cruising.

For comparison, the entire passenger and crew complement of Sea Cloud II could easily fit in just one of the tenders of her neighboring mega ships.

Upon arrival, guests are warmly welcomed at the gangway and once inside, they are presented with a glass of chilled bubbly before being shown to their stateroom or suite.

We were fortunate to have a gorgeous 231 square foot Category B Junior Suite as our home for 10 nights .

Our stunning Category B Junior Suite was straight out of one of the Grand Hotels of Europe. * Photo: Peter Knego

There is a canopy over the beds, which can be set up as a queen or two twins and the appointments could easily be those of a fine apartment in Vienna or Paris with the ornate molding, etched crystal lights, polished brass, lovely vintage oil paintings and, in the living room area, a marble fireplace with mood lighting and (not that it was ever needed) a built-in heating element.

A large flat screen TV and DVD player was housed in a tall boy with a stocked mini-bar (we had the supplied soft drinks switched out for mineral water) and an espresso machine. There was a small writing desk and Wi-Fi was available for a reasonable fee.

The Suites and Junior Suites have marble fireplaces with mood lighting and a heating element. * Photo: Peter Knego

There was also a supply of champagne flutes and drinking glasses and a lovely metal water canister bearing the ship’s image was provided that we could fill with filtered tap water from the Lido Bar and bring along on excursions  Actually, I love these bottles and use them at home, so they have gone a long way in reducing plastic waste, both during and after the cruise.

There was a walk-in closet with a full length mirror across from the bathroom in the entry way, offering up plenty of space for our clothes, and nice robes and slippers are provided for use during the cruise.

The bathroom was probably the most elegant I have ever had the pleasure of using on a cruise ship with several types of granite and marble paneling, a tub with a shower and something I have only experienced with Sea Cloud — gold plated taps and hardware.

The gorgeous bathroom featured layers of marble and gold plated taps. * Photo: Peter Knego

L’Occitaine en Provence amenities are provided, including bath salts, so I indulged with my first bath at sea on the Sea Cloud II since the final voyage of the SS Rotterdam in 1997.

VIDEO: Peter soaks it all up in the fancy tub of his suite aboard the 96-pax Sea Cloud II.

There are six suite and stateroom categories, including the two supremely elegant, 290-square foot Category A Owners’ Suites on Lido Deck. These rooms are lushly paneled and have four arched picture windows that look out onto the lido. They have a four-post king-sized bed and two lovely oils, one of which has the unique function of sliding over the flatscreen TV in “James Bond” fashion. There is a walk-in closet and the marble bathrooms have a separate tub and glass enclosed shower.

The Owners’ Suites on Sea Cloud II are the ship’s most spacious and elegant accommodations. * Photo: Peter Knego

Similar in layout to the Category B Junior Suites, minus the fireplace and a little space, three 194-square foot Category C Grand staterooms are located at the forward end of Promenade Deck. Like the Junior Suites, they have three arched brass framed windows that look out to the promenade, a nice living room area with seating next to a credenza with the TV and mini bar and a bedroom area. The closets are slightly smaller and the bathrooms have a glass-enclosed shower in lieu of the tub/shower combination.

On Cabin Deck, there are three categories of accommodations:

• The Category D Deluxe staterooms measure 226 square feet and have three portholes in lieu of picture windows and are situated amidships, which is the best location for those who tend to get motion sickness.
• On the fore and aft ends of Cabin Deck, there are slightly smaller 204 square foot Category E Deluxe staterooms that have two portholes
• And at the far forward end of Cabin Deck, the 150-square foot Category Fs are the most affordable with an upper/lower berth configuration and two portholes.

All three of these categories have marble bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers and all have the gold plated taps and hardware.

Category D Deluxe staterooms feature a sitting area underneath a pair of portholes. * Photo: Peter Knego

After a very thorough safety drill, which included mustering next to our lifeboat on Lido Deck, Sea Cloud II sailed off into a balmy Caribbean twilight. We set the pace for our cruise with a leisurely unpacking session and a nice casual buffet dinner in the Lido, retiring relatively early to catch up on some deferred sleep.

The next morning, we fueled up with fresh-made, frothy cappuccinos at the Lido Bar (much better than the ones from the nearby machine) and watched as the crew scrambled up the three masts (the mainmast soars highest at 188 feet above the Lido Deck) to untie the sails. On deck level, their fellow crew manned the winches and capstans to maneuver the lines that gradually unfurled each sail, then secured them in a dazzling and seemingly daunting process.

Deck crew scale the heights of Sea Cloud II’s three masts to unfurl the sails on an almost daily basis. * Photo: Peter Knego

As if this weren’t magnificent enough, the original Sea Cloud had joined us for a tandem sailing, gently pitching in the deep blue sea off our starboard side.

The original Sea Cloud maintained a steady course off our starboard side for the entire day at sea. * Photo: Peter Knego

That evening, we enjoyed dinner in the elegance of the Dining Room, with all the pomp and circumstance of synchronized service: fine porcelain chargers and those beautifully polished domes that kept the main courses piping hot.

After dinner, it was sheer bliss sitting on deck and gazing up at a full moon over the Caribbean Sea.

Full moon under sail. * Photo: Peter Knego

The following morning, Sea Cloud followed us into Cabrits, Dominica, where I spent most of the morning documenting our ship. At one point, I tendered ashore for a brief walk to the fortress ($5 admission) to capture both ships together from the ramparts. Back down at the pier, Sea Cloud II guests were treated to a visit to the Sea Cloud, hosted by Sea Cloud’s legendary hotel director, Simon Kwinta, who has been with the ship since the 1980s.

I’ll actually be on the Sea Cloud in July and will be providing a detailed report on the ship and a cruise from Athens to Venice via Greece and Croatia, so please stay tuned here on QuirkyCruise.com for the full story.

That afternoon, as Sea Cloud II followed the Sea Cloud out to sea, there was an announcement from the bridge. As conditions were perfect, the zodiacs would be launched and we would be able to circle both of the Sea Clouds with their sails fully unfurled. Talk about exhilarating!

After spinning around in a bouncy zodiac, my neck and fingers were even more exhausted than my overheated i-Phone, which was tasked with taking hundreds of photos and videos in that glorious, salt-spray-drenched event.

On the third day, Sea Cloud II anchored at Soufriere, St. Lucia, below the towering Pitons, which are quite possibly the Caribbean’s most dramatic vista. As we had recently taken the tour of the Volcano, Botanical Gardens and hike overlooking the Pitons (which is highly recommended), we opted for a snorkeling excursion that took us to two different spots to ogle the local fish in their briny element.

An extra bonus that afternoon came after lunch as Sea Cloud II lingered about 10 miles off the St. Lucia coast — a chance jump off the swim platform into the sea. Floating mats and styrofoam floats are provided while manned zodiacs are on standby on either side of the buoys, just in case anyone required a quick rescue, which no one did, just in case you are wondering.

We enjoyed another glorious day at sea, taking in several excellent enrichment lectures by Stephen Bohling, who provided (in separate lectures) fascinating and useful info about our various ports of call in both English and German. There would be several cappuccini savored on deck as sails went up and came down, lovely buffet meals consumed and the greatest luxury of all, time to just relax and, as the Italians would say, “far niente” or “do nothing.”

Cushioned teak seating atop scrubbed teak decking on the port promenade of Sea Cloud II.

On the fifth day, Sea Cloud II anchored off St. Barts. That morning, we tendered ashore, past some impressive mega yachts, for a snorkeling expedition among sea turtles and gorgeous coral formations, then headed back to the ship to watch from a prime location as the participants in the Bucket Regatta sailed past us on the final leg of the annual race. The sailing ship enthusiasts, including the captain, on board were especially thrilled, referring to each passing yacht by name with a few morsels of info (much like certain ocean liner and cruise ship enthusiasts are known to do).

One of the Bucket Regatta yachts sails past the bow of the anchored Sea Cloud II at St. Barts. * Photo: Peter Knego

Once the regatta had concluded, we tendered back ashore to wander the quaint streets of Caribbean’s version of St. Tropez, browsing at the overpriced but tempting shops and cafes.

The next morning, at Anguila, we tendered ashore and walked along a white sand beach to the Elvis Bar, where we took shelter under cabanas, sipped icy piña coladas and swam.

On the seventh day, as Sea Cloud II entered the shelter of Virgin Gorda’s harbor well ahead of schedule, we had a second chance to jump off the ship and swim in the sea. We then took the excursion to the Baths, a fascinating rock formation in spectacularly pristine waters. It was hot and crowded there, as one would expect on a sunny day but so worth seeing for the first time in more Caribbean cruises than I can count.

Wading under the dramatic rock formations of Virgin Gorda’s Baths. * Photo: Peter Knego

Our final port of call was Norman Island, where Sea Cloud rents out an entire beach for the exclusive use of the ship’s guests. We opted for a morning hike hosted by the lecturer Stephen Bohling, then enjoyed dipping our toes into the sand as a lavish barbecue was prepared in the pavilion behind us. This was a perfect way to soak up our last paradisiacal port of call.

Sea Cloud’s exclusive beach with a pavilion for a lavish barbecue set up at Norman Island. * Photo: Peter Knego

After one final day at sea, we had arrived back in St. Maarten, where the gangway to the real world once again beckoned.

VIDEO: Here’s Peter’s Sea Cloud II Decked! Top-to-Bottom Tour

Interested in This Cruise?

We hope you enjoyed our Sea Cloud II expert review. Fares for this 10-night sailing start at $8,565 per person.

Very special thanks to: Mike Hicks, Mike Masino, Mirell Reyes, Heidi Sarna and Kevin Smith.

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