SAIL CRUISING
become the person in charge of the ship’s smooth operation, from “making certain meals are perfect, to ensuring all the light bulbs work.” The creation of those perfect meals – which I came to appreciate as the equal of any acclaimed on-shore restaurant – would be the responsibility of Chef de Cuisine Maik Albrecht from Germany. The clang of a bell announced dinner, served that night in the dining room. Evening meals alternate between formally-served set menus in the elegant wood-panelled dining room – in the centre of the vessel with double doors opening to the promenade deck – and informal lavish buffets on the canopied Lido deck. Breakfast is always buffet style in the dining room, with a light continental repast set out on deck for early risers. Should one feel the pangs of hunger between meals, a four o’clock tea includes such treats as freshly baked waffles with ice cream. Complimen- tary wine flows freely at both lunch and dinner; any other alcoholic beverages go on the guest’s bill.
route was not the primary reason they were there. Sea Cloud, itself was the destination. And rightfully so. No port-of-call can equal the heart-stopping fascination of watching 18 agile and fearless crew members – several female – scamper about the rigging of the four masts, the web of lines stretching skyward as high as a 20-storey building. With everything done by hand, when Sea Cloud’s 30 sails catch the wind, it is a travel experience to be treasured.
A
On our first day, we sailed with the wind save for time out to weigh anchor so those who wished might descend the gangway to swim in the crystal-clear Mediterranean without a speck of land in sight. On days following, we were under sail every afternoon. Limited time was spent in port, with permission
given to step ashore around 8.30am and all aboard at 12:30pm. While many opted for the offered excursions – not included in the fare and most ne- cessitating a fairly long bus trip – I chose to explore the ports on my own. With no organised activities, spa, fitness center or entertainment (other than that provided by the
SEA CLOUD FAMILY
Sea Cloud: Classic wooden yacht, built in 1931 for New York cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post Sea Cloud II: Constructed 2001 as a
larger, hands-on sailing contemporary version of the original. Sea Cloud Hussar: Under construction for 2011, will be largest of the sailing fleet (136 passengers). River Cloud II: Classic riverboat following the passages of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers and into the Black Sea.
s I met my fellow passengers, it became obvious that, for most – with many stepping aboard as oft-repeated guests – the ship’s
Winter 2010 / 2011 I WORLD OF CRUISING
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