Sea Cloud Spirit: Windjammer Sailing Across the Mediterranean | OffTheGrid Travel
Twenty-nine sails, three masts, and no engine noise to speak of
Ask most people to picture a cruise and they will describe something considerably larger, louder and less interesting than Sea Cloud Spirit. There are no engines dominating the horizon here, only three masts and a course set as much by the wind as by the itinerary. For travellers who want the Mediterranean at the pace it was meant to be seen, this is where to start looking.
Why windjammer sailing is having a quiet renaissance
Windjammer sailing takes its name from the traditional square-rigged ships built to carry cargo under wind power alone. SEA CLOUD Cruises has built its entire philosophy around that heritage for more than 40 years, long before slow travel became a phrase anyone needed. Where a typical Mediterranean cruise ship carries several thousand guests, Sea Cloud Spirit tops out at 136, which changes everything from the pace of a port call to the number of times the crew learns your name.
A fleet first, with sea views from every stateroom aboard.
A dedicated wellness area built into the ship's newest design.
A strong advocate for slow, considered travel, built into every itinerary we plan.
A close, collaborative relationship with Sea Cloud, not a transactional booking.
Inside Sea Cloud Spirit: comfort built into a 90-year design language
Launched in 2021, Sea Cloud Spirit is the newest ship in the fleet, and the easiest entry point for anyone sailing under canvas for the first time. She keeps the traditional windjammer profile of her predecessors but adds cabins with private balconies, a wellness area with sauna and fitness room, a Panorama Lounge and open-air bar, and a retractable marina platform for swimming directly from the stern. The sun deck is spacious enough that, even at full capacity, there is always a shaded corner to disappear into.
The Panorama Lounge, open from sunset for cocktails as the sails come down
Windjammer sailing isn't cruising with the volume turned down. It's an entirely different journey, set by wind rather than schedule.
A week under sail: a sample Mediterranean route
Sea Cloud Spirit sails worldwide throughout the year, and the Mediterranean season typically threads together the Cote d'Azur, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. A sample nine-night route below shows the shape of a typical voyage; speak to us for the current season's exact dates and availability.
Embarkation, with an evening departure past the harbour's superyacht row.
Selected sailings coincide with Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, one of the Mediterranean's great classic yacht regattas.
Rugged coastline and quiet anchorages well away from the mainland's crowds.
Turquoise coves along the island's less-travelled eastern shore.
Disembarkation beneath Mount Etna, with time to explore the old town before flying home.
Left: a balcony cabin, a fleet first · Right: Onboard canapés
Sustainability at sea: how Sea Cloud sails lighter
A ship that moves under sail for much of its voyage starts from a different position to the rest of the cruise industry, and SEA CLOUD has built on that with a wider set of low-impact commitments across the fleet.
As part of our Roam collection, Sea Cloud Spirit pairs naturally with our other sail-powered voyage aboard Sea Cloud II in the Caribbean, and every itinerary we arrange is built through a direct, collaborative relationship with SEA CLOUD Cruises, in the same way we work with barefoot luxury partners like Teranka in Formentera.
Frequently asked questions
What is windjammer sailing?
Windjammer sailing refers to voyages aboard traditional square-rigged ships that use wind power for propulsion rather than relying solely on engines, offering a slower, quieter alternative to conventional cruising.
How many guests does Sea Cloud Spirit carry?
Sea Cloud Spirit carries a maximum of 136 guests, the largest capacity in the SEA CLOUD fleet, while still remaining a genuinely small ship by cruise industry standards.
Is Sea Cloud Cruises a sustainable way to travel?
Yes. SEA CLOUD Cruises has followed a policy of gentle, low-impact tourism for more than 40 years, combining wind-powered sailing with low-emission engines, zero single-use plastics onboard and close relationships with local suppliers in each port.
What's included in a Sea Cloud Spirit voyage?
Rates include gratuities, port fees, welcome champagne, all meals including a nightly four-course menu and a five-course gala dinner, welcome and farewell cocktails, and all coffee, tea and soft drinks onboard.
OffTheGrid Travel curates bespoke luxury holidays across our Roam, Restore and Renew collections. As an ISEP Associate Member, we build every itinerary, including voyages aboard Sea Cloud Spirit, around genuine, considered discovery.
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