Sea Cloud Cruises is the world’s only luxury cruise line operating a fleet of true windjammers — three tall ships whose sails are still set entirely by hand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany, and sailing for more than 40 years, the line carries just 64 to 136 guests per ship on small ship luxury cruises through the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Northern Europe.
Where conventional luxury cruise lines follow fixed routes to major ports, Sea Cloud’s shallow-draft tall ships anchor in small harbors and hidden coves that ships carrying thousands of passengers cannot reach. The result is a sailing cruise built around wind, heritage, and destinations — not casinos and crowds.
On every Sea Cloud voyage, the crew climbs the rigging and works the lines the traditional way — no push-button automation. On Sea Cloud Spirit, hoisting all 28 sails takes the crew just under an hour, and watching the canvas fill from the open deck is the signature moment of any tall ship cruise. Diesel-electric engines serve only as backup when the wind won’t cooperate.
The three-ship fleet carries 64, 94, and 136 guests respectively, with near one-to-one crew-to-guest ratios. That scale means open-seating dining, no lines, no announcements, and a captain and crew who know every guest by name — the intimacy of a private yacht charter with the service depth of a five-star luxury cruise.
The flagship Sea Cloud was built in 1931 at the Krupp shipyard in Kiel, Germany, for Wall Street financier E.F. Hutton and cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post — then the largest private sailing yacht in the world. Guests today still book Post’s original owner’s cabins, complete with marble fireplaces and gilded fittings. No other cruise line offers a night’s sleep in a genuine piece of maritime history.
Wind is the fleet’s primary propulsion. Combined with small guest numbers, low-impact port calls, and modern diesel-electric backup systems that meet current emissions standards, Sea Cloud Cruises is one of the most environmentally responsible ways to cruise — sustainability built into the ship, not bolted on as a program.
| Ship | Built | Guests | Rig | Signature Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Cloud | 1931 | 64 | Four-masted barque | Original 1930s owner’s cabins with marble fireplaces |
| Sea Cloud II | 2001 | 94 | Three-masted barque | Classic craftsmanship, lounge, library, gym, and spa across four decks |
| Sea Cloud Spirit | 2021 | 136 | Full-rigged three-master | 25 balcony cabins, elevator, sun-deck fitness area, full spa |
The most storied sailing ship afloat. Built as the private yacht Hussar for Marjorie Merriweather Post and E.F. Hutton, she later served as a U.S. weather ship in World War II before her restoration as a luxury tall ship. With only 64 guests, a voyage aboard Sea Cloud is the most intimate and historic sailing cruise experience available anywhere.
A three-masted barque launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II carries a maximum of 94 guests across four decks with a lounge, library, gym, and spa. Her two Owner’s Suites feature panoramic windows, four-poster beds, fireplaces, and marble baths — the original Sea Cloud’s opulence, rebuilt to modern standards.
The largest and most contemporary ship in the fleet: 138 meters, three masts carrying 28 hand-set sails with roughly 4,100 square meters of canvas. Her 69 outside cabins include 25 with private balconies — rare on any sailing ship — plus an elevator connecting all five decks, a wellness area with Finnish sauna and steam bath, and a sun-deck fitness studio with sea views.
Most voyages run 5 to 14 nights, timed for Mediterranean summers and Caribbean winters.
Dining: One open-seating restaurant per ship, menus built around regional ingredients from each port, paired wines included, and al fresco meals on deck when weather allows.
Enrichment: Guest lecturers on maritime history and local culture, plus small-group shore excursions designed for ports that see few tourists.
Atmosphere: No casinos, no production shows, no formal nights required. Days are structured around sailing, swimming stops, and time ashore — the rhythm of a private yacht, not a cruise ship schedule.
Riverside Luxury Cruises is an all-suite, five-star river cruise line — every cabin is a fully appointed private suite with panoramic views, king-size bed, and butler service. Built on the former Crystal river fleet, it pairs some of the largest suites on Europe’s rivers with award-winning regional dining and Riverside Choice excursions.
Riverside sails five European rivers: the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, and Rhône (with the Saône), covering Germany, Austria, Central Europe, and Provence. It does not sail the Seine or Bordeaux — for those routes, Tasteful Voyages arranges voyages with other leading luxury river cruise lines.
Yes. The all-suite design, butler service, regional wine and cuisine, and romantic routes make Riverside a top choice for couples. The Rhône through Provence and the Danube’s imperial cities — Vienna, Budapest, and the Wachau Valley — are the most popular itineraries for honeymoons and milestone anniversaries.
Riverside fares include all-suite accommodation with panoramic river views, gourmet dining in every onboard venue, regional wines and premium beverages, unlimited expert-guided shore excursions, bicycles for independent exploration, prepaid gratuities, and transfers. Joan Qualls at Tasteful Voyages provides a full inclusions breakdown for any specific sailing.
AmaWaterways leads on innovation with twin-balcony staterooms and the AmaMagna; Uniworld is known for boutique-hotel interiors. Riverside stands apart with an all-suite fleet, butler service, Cruise Critic’s Best Dining recognition, and a consistent boutique-hotel feel — the strongest fit for travelers who prioritize suites and personal service.
Peak season runs April through October: spring for blooms and thinner crowds, summer for long daylight, and autumn for harvest color and wine festivals on the Rhine, Moselle, and Rhône. Christmas Market cruises in November–December sell out fastest, and the best suites book 12–18 months ahead.
Book through Joan Qualls at Tasteful Voyages, a Virtuoso luxury travel advisor specializing in river cruises for US travelers. Booking costs nothing extra and includes suite, route, and season matching plus support through disembarkation. Reach her at [email protected], 760-815-7400, or via the Tasteful Voyages contact page.