Covid-19 Crisis Delays the Launch of Sea Cloud Spirit  

As a consequence of the Covid-19 crisis, Sea Cloud Cruises will put the new Sea Cloud Spirit into service later than planned. The 452.7 ft. (138-meters) long three-mast full-rigged ship is being built at a shipyard in Vigo, Spain, which had a work stoppage for several weeks, due to the shutdown of the country. 

Currently, operations have resumed in small groups, in strict compliance with increased hygiene and clearance regulations. However, the European subcontractors and suppliers involved in the project have not yet returned to Spain due to entry restrictions. The maiden voyage was scheduled to start on August 29^th. The new date will be published by the shipping company, as soon as the new delivery date has been given by the shipyard.

The Covid-19 crisis hit the shipyard and the shipping company a few months before the completion of the extraordinary tall ship. The masts manufactured in Poland, arrived at the shipyard, but were not installed due to the work stoppage in Spain. Below deck, the interior fittings were also being carried out, but not completed. “Until the crisis hit, the entire project was on schedule, allowing us to accept firm bookings for all voyages,” reports Daniel Schäfer, Managing Director of Sea Cloud Cruises.

The postponement of the maiden voyage, and the voyages immediately following, is unavoidable due to the construction delay caused by Covid-19. “We know how much our guests were looking forward to traveling with us, and we greatly regret the delay caused by the worldwide pandemic,” Schäfer emphasized.

Due to the postponement of the maiden voyage, Sea Cloud Cruises has developed a new and attractive offer for its’ guests, which will be bookable shortly. The Sea Cloud Spirit will not cross the Atlantic heading to the Caribbean in mid-November as originally scheduled, instead she will remain in the Canary Islands, which has wonderful weather year-round. She will remain there until April 2021. “Guests will have the option to enjoy the beautiful weather in the Canary Islands this winter on the Sea Cloud Spirit,” announces Schäfer: “Those who prefer to be closer to home, can still continue to explore the Caribbean with our other two ships.” This follows the philosophy of Sea Cloud Cruises, offering the same extraordinary experience to guests on all three ships, so that they can choose their voyages according to the desired cruising area.

For those who want to plan for the future: The 2021 main catalogue will be published this summer, and will include all voyages on the three ships. The upcoming year gives the Hamburg shipping company and its customers several reasons to celebrate: The flagship – the legendary Sea Cloud – will be 90 years old, her younger sister Sea Cloud II will turn 20 years ago, and the Sea Cloud Spirit will be sailing the world’s oceans for her first full season.

For more information visit www.seacloud.com

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Since 1979 Sea Cloud Cruises has been one of the world’s top names in cruises. The Sea Cloud and its younger sister Sea Cloud II, regularly appear with five stars each in the Berlitz Cruise Guide’s list and ranks under the best five cruise ships in the world.