YACHT readers' trip: With the "Sea Cloud Spirit" to the America's Cup in Barcelona

In the thick of it instead of just being there: experience the pinnacle of international yacht racing - the spectacular Americaʼs Cup - up close from on board the "Sea Cloud Spirit". While one of the most intense regattas in the 173-year history of the event takes place around you, you can sit back, relax, watch the action and let the crew look after you with loving care.

Tim Kröger on board as an expert

Two-time circumnavigator and Americaʼs Cup participant Tim Kröger will be on board and talk about his passion for regatta sailing in exciting presentations.

Itinerary Marseille-Nice 10 October - 18 October 2024

• Thu, 10.10.2024: MarseilleEmbarkation on the "Sea Cloud Spirit" by 13:00 hrs; departure 13:30 hrs
• Fri, 11.10.2024: Palamós, to: 8:00 am, from: 6:00 pm
  (Roman World Heritage Site in Girona or Salvador Dalí: the most important surrealist artist*)
• Sat, 12.10.2024: Barcelona, on: 8:00 a.m.
  Individual shore leave. Experience this year's America's Cup up close!
• Sun, 13.10.2024: Barcelonafrom: 19:00 hrs
  Individual shore leave. Experience this year's America's Cup up close!
• Mon, 14.10.2024: Collioure, on: 13:30, from: 19:00
  (Collioure and the Fauvismu.*)
• Tue, 15.10.2024: Sète, arrival: 8:00 am, departure: 1:30 pm
  ("Venice of the Languedoc" - boat tour and oyster tasting or Montpellier and the elegant Château de Flaugergues*)
• Wed, 16.10.2024: La Ciotat, to: 8:00 am, from: 6:00 pm
  (The artists' mecca and university town of Aix-en-Provence or a boat trip through the striking fjords of the Calanques*)
• Thu 17 Oct 2024: A day under sail
• Fri 18 Oct 2024: NiceArrival: 8:00 a.m., individual or organised departure for an extra charge

(* Excursions can be booked at extra cost)

8 nights from € 6,425 per person in a guaranteed double outside cabin from/to harbour

The most important included services:

• Culinary delights with regional specialities - from buffets on the Lido deck to a 4-course menu in the evening
• Quality wines and beer for lunch and dinner
• All soft drinks
• Welcome champagne
• Water sports equipment (snorkelling equipment and stand-up paddles)
• Fitness studio with sea view
• Zodiac tours
• All gratuities on board

Booking for YACHT readers at seacloud.com

This is the "Sea Cloud Spirit"

It took twelve years to complete the 138-metre-long "Sea Cloud Spirit", whose keel was laid in 2008 at the Factoria Naval Marin shipyard in Vigo, Spain. Two years later, the shipyard went bankrupt and construction was halted. It was not until 2018 that construction resumed after Sea Cloud Cruises was able to award the contract for completion to the shipbuilders at Metalships & Docks, also based in Vigo. "Sea Cloud Spirit" was finally completed on 29 April 2021, more than a decade later than originally planned.

The ship has four decks with a wide range of facilities for passengers: Main Deck, Promenade Deck, Lido Deck and Captain's Deck and Sun Deck. The 69 guest cabins are spread over three decks. On the promenade deck, in addition to the reception and the elegant restaurant with a 270-degree view over the stern, there are 25 suites with private balconies. One deck below, on the main deck, there is an infirmary, a boutique and the wellness and spa area including a steam bath, sauna, hairdressing salon and relaxation area. A bathing platform can also be folded down on the starboard side, from which water sports activities are possible.

On the lido deck, the Hamburg planning office Partner Ship Design has installed a library at the front, from which you can enjoy a fantastic view of the forecastle. There is no better place to read a book. Behind this is the lounge, including a grand piano and bar, while an open bar with bistro completes the offer in the stern area. Snacks, coffee and drinks are served here at extremely regular intervals. The captain's and sun deck above is largely open, and the superstructure in the forward section houses the bridge, the captain's cabin and office aft and a gym for guests.

Sailing plan of the Sea Cloud Spirit

In contrast to similarly sized superyachts such as Jeff Bezos' 127 metre long three-masted gaff schooner "Koru" or the 143 metre giant "Sailing Yacht A", which set their comparably large sail areas hydraulically and at the touch of a button, every sheet, every halyard and full-rigged special features such as gethaue (square sail halyard) and gordings (square sail reefing line) are operated manually on board the "Sea Cloud Spirit". That takes time. It takes the crew between 30 and 45 minutes to hoist all 28 sails into the wind.

To ensure that everything runs smoothly on board during the complex manoeuvres, there are clear procedures and a hierarchical structure. The captain decides to sail and gives the order to set sail to his bosun, the ruler of three masts and a rigging crew of 18 sailors. He decides which sails are to be set in which wind strength. Each mast in turn has its own mast captain, who is responsible for carrying out the instructions.

Technical data of the Sea Cloud Spirit

• Length over everything: 138 m
• Width: 17,20 m
• Depth: 5,65 m
• Displacement: 4.835 t
• Sailing on the wind: 4.165 m²
• Number of sails: 28
• Height of main mast: 57,90 m
• Passengers: max. 136
• Crew: 85
• Shipyard: Factoria Naval Marin, Metalships & Docks
• Year of construction: 2021