NEW YORK -- Sea Cloud Cruises has a pair of vessels under
construction for delivery in 2000.
The line already operates the four-masted sailing yacht Sea
Cloud, originally completed in 1931, and the 1996-built River
Cloud, designed for European river cruising.
Sea Cloud II, being built in Bilbao, Spain, is designed to
maintain the ambience of the Sea Cloud while offering more uniform
accommodations and enclosed public spaces.
The original Sea Cloud, designed as a private yacht for Marjorie
Meriweather Post, was converted for cruising.
In order to maintain the integrity of the public spaces but
cater to a much higher passenger capacity, dinner is served using
both the original restaurant and the adjacent lounge.
On the Sea Cloud II, there is a dedicated dining room located
aft on the Promenade Deck, and there is a dedicated lounge and
separate library on the Lido Deck above.
The new vessel will have 48 outside cabins, accommodating 96
passengers. The original Sea Cloud has 34 cabins and accommodates
69. Both ships have 60-member crews.
The new sailing yacht is 384 feet, 24 feet longer than the Sea
Cloud, and it sails two knots faster under engine power.
Following a shakedown period in summer 2000, the Sea Cloud II
will be positioned in the Caribbean, and much of the inaugural
season is already under charter.
The River Cloud II is being custom-built for cruising on
northern Italy's River Po. It is due for delivery in May 2000.
In order to negotiate a waterway in the Venetian Lagoon, River
Cloud II is slightly shorter in length than running mate River
Cloud, which is now cruising on the Danube, Main, Rhine and Mosel
rivers.
River Cloud II will offer 44 outside cabins measuring 130 or 160
square feet. Cabins are grouped in three categories for 88
passengers. The vessel will have a crew of about 35.
Cabin amenities will include direct-dial phone, television with
video player, radio and music channels, minibar, refrigerator,
safe, bathrobes and hair dryer.
The new seven-night River Po itinerary will cruise between
Venice and Cremona through a mainly rural landscape. It will leave
from Venice, where passengers will stay aboard for two nights
before sailing upriver to the cities of Ravenna, Padua, Ferrara and
Verona and the home of Giuseppe Verdi, Places Verdiani.
Following a stop at the historical dairy of Parmigiano-Reggiano
Cheese, the cruise will end with an overnight on board at Cremona
and a private Stradivarius recital at the Violin Museum in
Boretto.
The first season is under charter to operators such as
Abercrombie & Kent, Cruising in Paradise and Elegant Tours.
Sea Cloud Cruises
Phone: (888) 732-2568 or (201) 227-9404
Web site: www.seacloud. com