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High-tech features include a GPS dynamic positioning system to maintain a location without dropping anchor. Royal Clipper also has impressive modern niceties for a ship of its size, including three small pools and an aft marina for easy access to complimentary water sports. These three outside staterooms with porthole windows spotlight a design inspired by officers’ cabins on traditional windjammers.
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During the day, life on board centers around the indoor lounge area and dining room, as well as the outdoor areas at the Main, Upper and Sun Decks. Renovated in 2016, the Main Deck lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and carpet flooring, and beautiful soft fabrics. In place of an observation bow with direct views of the water, as many similar ships offer, Victory has a pair of viewing platforms on each side of the ship, thanks to its distinctive X-bow design.
Guaranteed double cabins (limited allotment; upon request)
The two Owners’ Suites on SEA CLOUD II follow in the maritime spirit of always keeping exclusive quarters white-glove ready for the ship’s owners. Today, these luxury spaces are reserved for guests who appreciate the elevated side of sailing with the comforts of a private yacht. Both light-filled suites are located on the lido deck and feature panoramic windows for a unique view of the sea, even from the four-poster bed. The opulence includes a fireplace, elegant cabinetry, high-end furnishings, and a spacious marble bath outfitted in our legendary golden fixtures. Christoph Mayer, an occasional sailor, has previously sailed on Sea Cloud II, while his parents have taken five or six cruises on the elegant vessels. It was his first time sailing together with them, along with his girlfriend and aunt.But Sea Cloud is the flagship; the one that started it all.
Sicily & The Amalfi Coast Star Flyer
We least enjoyed Santorini and Mykonos, one and done. But they are each the 'brand name' islands and seemingly must be visited. The crew were experienced, friendly, and safety conscience. I would like to check out the other destinations that variety cruises offer.
Billed as the world's largest full-rigged sailing ship (it's got a Guinness World Records certificate to prove it), this five-masted beauty is a throwback to another era. Built in 2000, it's modeled on the Preussen, the largest and fastest deepwater sailing ship of its day. The freight-carrier set sail in 1902, but suffered an early demise eight years later, after a collision with a steamship left it broken on the cliffs of Dover.
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The one-of-a-kind, four-masted Sea Cloud was originally commissioned as a private luxury yacht by multi-millionaire Wall Street titan E. Hutton's extravagant heiress and businesswoman wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post, oversaw the ship's interior design, outfitting it in marble, mahogany and gold-plated fixtures. I also gravitate to the off-beat itineraries small ships offer because they focus on unusual and remote places that only small vessels can access.
11 of the best transatlantic cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime sailing - The Times
11 of the best transatlantic cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime sailing.
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:48:18 GMT [source]
Star Clippers sailings are the most affordable option among the three sailing brands, in part because the onboard experience is less all-inclusive and upscale. Sea Cloud Cruises is the most all-inclusive and upscale of the three brands listed in this story, with pricing to match. Expect to pay nearly $1,000 per person per day or more for many sailings. Enjoyed the meals on board and those arranged near attractions. The chef was excellent, everything was very fresh and they were very accommodating.
Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Galileo
Whether you want calm, protected waters and short island hops or exhilarating blue water passages, the Caribbean is one of the most exciting sailing vacations you can experience. Enjoy an 8-day cruise to all the Jewels of the Cyclades. Sail round-trip from Athens, Greece, stopping at Santorini, Delos, Mykonos, the old Greece atmosphere of Folegandros, and more. Very enthusiastic, professional and combined local love of places with facts. All of the crew worked well together and seemed to gel well. Even the simple things like carrying our bags up to where the taxis met us, explaining clearly the plans, adjusting for the weather worked very well.
Featured in this Traveler Review
These platforms are cantilevered directly over the water for great views of bergy bits and potential marine life. SeaDream Yacht Club's 40-year-old ships may not be new, but they're still some of the prettiest classic luxury yachts afloat. However, they're spacious, recently refurbished, and feature wood details that evoke a classic nautical feel.
My husband and I had never been on a cruise or to Greece and wanted to experience something very different. I am also interested in history...this trip exceeded our expectations. Swan Hellenic's compact, well-laid-out SH Vega is built for expedition cruising with a PC5 ice-strengthened hull. You can also take in the scenery from the ship's shallow pool and two adjacent hot tubs. Seabourn's large expedition team leads daily complimentary excursions, such as Zodiac sightseeing tours, shore walks, hikes, snorkeling and kayak outings. Also, accomplished guest lecturers give onboard talks.
Enhance your evening with complimentary wine (mostly French), Charles Heidsieck Champagne, beer and spirits. Windstar offers both cruise-only and all-inclusive fares. You can build an a la carte vacation or pay upfront for an easy trip that includes an open bar, unlimited Wi-Fi and included crew gratuities. With rosewood furnishings, ornate wall finishings and a detailed marble fireplace, the junior suites are the epitome of luxury. Panoramic windows welcome in the sea, creating a bright, airy ambiance filled with casual elegance and upscale comfort.
Veranda Suite 318 is the most luxurious, with 301 square feet of space, an 86-square-foot balcony, three arched windows, and an L-shaped sofa that converts into a full-size fold-out bed. My luminous, spacious, 237-square-foot Junior Veranda Suite featured an exceedingly private 65-square-foot balcony with two deck chairs. One afternoon, the wind picked up, reaching around the mid- to high-20 knots, and the skies turned overcast. I watched in amazement as Katia Jarosławowna Plewińska, one of two female deck crew, fastened the lower sails. Watching the tightly choreographed deck crew scale the riggings, swaying slightly in the breeze, to hoist the sails on the fully rigged windjammer a few miles off Nice, France, I felt my stomach knot up. Share your preferences, whether it’s extending or shortening your stay, upgrading flights, or selecting specific hotels.
I'm drawn to the intimacy and instant community that develops between a small number of passengers and crew cruising together. I enjoy the serenity of small-ship cruising, with no lines to wait in or crowds to contend with on board. From September to October, Sea Cloud Spirit will sail between Malta, Italian destinations including Syracuse, Taormina, Salerno, and Amalfi; Sardinia; Corsica; and St. Tropez, France, among other Mediterranean ports. The vessel will return to Barcelona when it hosts The America’s Cup in early October 2024 and fans of yacht racing’s biggest event won’t want to miss out on the action. In November, Sea Cloud Spirit made its 16-night Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean, drawing sailing purists yearning to catch the famed trade winds and switch off.
This wasn't described on the original itinerary, so I wasn't prepared to know what to look for here. Apparently, the ship passes here in the night when the itinerary is followed the other way around the Peloponnese. Activities seemed to be shopping (never interesting for more than a few minutes) and hiking to the top of the rock. (This would probably have been fine, if I'd been prepared with hiking boots and a walking stick, but not knowing what to expect, I wasn't). Special dining events include a captain’s dinner, deckside BBQ lunch and Greek Night featuring traditional recipes like moussaka, dolma, spanakopita and souvlaki. And most cruise routes are half-board, meaning you’ll dine on your own at port for half the meals.
The small Hamburg, Germany–based company has been around for more than four decades and prides itself on its sophisticated European hospitality. Access to smaller ports and destinations that larger vessels cannot reach. A range of itineraries to choose from, including the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Full board dining including local and international cuisine.
The new high-tech expedition ships, outfitted with the latest hardware and design touches, are incredibly appealing. However, I also adore certain older small ships for their heritage and atmosphere. People often ask me which are the best small ship cruises, and that question is difficult to answer. Evenings are casual, as well -- there's no need to pack formalwear. But swimsuits, shorts and flip-flops aren't welcome in the dining room. Men are expected to wear pants (as opposed to shorts) to dinner; women wear slacks or casual dresses.
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