Sea Cloud in full sail
Cliffs of Bonifacio
The Lido Deck on Sea Cloud
Owner's Suite No. 1 Decorated by Lady Marjorie
Dining area on board Sea Cloud
The stunning Sea Cloud in full sail
Fresh foods in Italy
Arblaster & Clarke's SeaCloud Wine Cruise
8 - 15 July 2012
Arblaster & Clarke’s Small-Ship luxury Wine Cruise on SeaCloud, Rome to Nice 2012
Just 48 participants (no, this is not a mis-type, this is a genuine small party experience) can join Arblaster & Clarke’s 2012 Wine Cruise on the incomparable Sea Cloud. Sail with us on the stunning Sea Cloud, an authentic square-rigger built in 1931. She is quite simply, the world’s most luxurious sailing ship. She was designed and built to an immaculate level of luxury for Marjorie Merriweather Post, an American heiress. At the time she was the largest private yacht ever constructed. In 1979 she was renovated to her original glory and further work was carried out recently.
Our route takes us south from Rome to Ischia and Amalfi, on to Corsica and Elba, then the chic resort of St Tropez. We’ll be enjoying the wines from the regions we are visiting over informal on board tastings hosted by the wine guide and at the gourmet dinners where we may also be joined by wine-makers. Although she can sleep 65, A&C’s cruise will be restricted to just 52 passengers. As always on an Arblaster & Clarke wine cruise, you’ll feel like a guest at a private party rather than a passenger on a mega impersonal cruise ship!
SeaCloud’s 4 huge masts support 29 sails when fully unfurled in all their billowing glory and these are fully manually operated (none of this mechanical cheating that goes on more modern versions!). The engines are used as little as possible whenever the itinerary and the wind allows.
SeaCloud has three meticulously maintained decks and public areas that include an elegant wood-panelled lounge, with chandeliers and original oil paintings. In the intimate dining room, where you all dine at one relaxed sitting, gourmet Mediterranean menus (with choices available) are served along with our selection of wines each evening.
There’s plenty of outdoor deck space including a cushioned area at the aft called the “Blue Lagoon”, a popular place to stretch out and enjoy the sunset. The open-air Lido deck and bar are the centre of the social life on board where the buffet lunches and the occasional informal dinners are served, it can also be used for pre and post dinner gatherings. Entertainment on board is kept to a minimum to allow you to enjoy the sound of the sea and chat to your fellow passengers after dinner.
Our Ports of Call…
Ischia, “The green island”
The largest and arguably most beautiful of the islands in the Gulf of Naples, Ischia is a volcanic island, whose fertile soil produces earthy red wines from unusual grape varieties such as Guarnaccia, Per’ e Palummo, S. Lunardo and fruity whites such as Biancolella, Forastera and Arilla. We have been exploring these wines since the early 1990’s.
Amalfi
The coast line is rated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its unique natural landscape, and the beautiful small town was the first of the four Maritime Republics in Italy, with its imposing Cathedral approached by a steep staircase, and protected by the ancient arsenals of the Republic. The wines of this coast are a delight and hugely exceed expectations. The steep terraced vineyards planted with local grape varieties have a great historic reputation dating back to Roman times. There are just a few wineries, little more than ‘garagistes’ here. The aromatic whites are particularly enjoyable with an almost tangerine-like flavour.
Bonifacio
At Corsica’s southernmost point, a narrow peninsula of dazzling white limestone creates a town site unlike any other.
The sheer cliffs have been hollowed out by the wind and waves whilst on the landward side a deep inlet forms a perfect
natural harbour. Climb the steps up to the “haut-ville”, a maze of narrow streets flanked by tall Genoese tenements. Being
just across the straits from Sardinia, the atmosphere is more Italian than French. Its inhabitants have their own dialect
based on Ligurian, a legacy of the days when this was practically an independent Genoese colony.
Elba
We call in at the beautiful Island of Elba, just off the Tuscan Coast. The Island is, of course, famous as being the place of Napolean’s exile and there is a museum about this which is worth a visit, as well as an attractive town to wander around. The island is the third largest of Italy after Sicily and Sardinia and is part of the National Park of the Tuscan archipelago.
St Tropez
There is no better way to arrive into the glamorous fishing village of St Tropez than on the Sea Cloud! Relax in the chic
cafes of the Vieux Port watching the world go by, or explore the Citadel and the over-grown remparts, from where you’ll
see the views made famous by the Impressionists who settled here.
Notes
Mobility
The Sea Cloud is absolutely not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. As a sailing ship, there are ropes on the decks, flights of steps, changes in deck height, and no lift or wheelchair access.
The sun deck above the bridge can only be accessed by climbing a vertical ladder, though there are other areas to catch the sun! On three days during our cruise we are at anchor so in order to get ashore you have to be able to climb up and down the ships’ steps and into tenders.
Pre and Post-trip
You may want to treat yourself to a few nights in Rome pre-tour or Nice after the cruise. We will be happy to put you in touch with our travel partners who specialise in luxury hotel bookings. They can also book your flights for you at the same time if you wish.
Early Booking
There are only 29 passenger cabins and all are in limited supply on this outstanding luxury ship and only 5 for sole occupancy so early booking is essential especially if you are travelling alone.
A&C never discount any of our holidays at the last minute to be fair to those who commit in advance. The price is valid as of June 2011 and is subject to increase due to currency or fuel or other fluctuations, so early booking is strongly advised as once you have confirmed your booking your holiday price will be guaranteed and will not increase. You will be advised at booking stage if the price has increased.
The earliest bookings would be those considered for upgrade should the superior cabins still be available at the last minute (which is unlikely!) or if one is cancelled.
8 - 15 July 2012
From £4999 per person
Tour completed..
Price Includes:
• Transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport to meet the British Airways flight BA0548 to the port at Civitevecchia.
• 7 nights in your chosen cabin (subject to availability).
• All on board meals which includes breakfasts, buffet lunches with ship’s wines, afternoon tea,
• Dinners with Arblaster & Clarke’s selection of fine wines from the regions we are sailing in,
midnight snacks.
• Crew tips.
• Wine tasting ashore in Ischia with transfers.
• Transfers and wine tasting and simple lunch in hills near Amalfi (or you can choose to stay on board for the ship’s lunch).
Tim Clarke, founding partner of Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours, as the Wine Guide accompanied by one or two members of the Arblaster & Clarke Tour Managing team.
There are no additional optional excursions other than those included as we feel that each port has enough to offer without the need to explore further afield so that at ports where excursions are not included you have free time to explore. If you would like us to arrange private guided walking tours for you of the ports, please let us know and we will provide a quote.
This means, that other than the return flight and the transfer to Nice airport, other than your on board incidentals/bar bills, there is nothing additional to pay.
Travel: Meet at Rome Fiumicino or portSole Occupancy: Very limited cabins
Deposit: £1,250.00
Room Upgrade: N/A
Arblaster & Clarke's SeaCloud Wine Cruise
The Itinerary
Sunday 8 July – Depart Civitavecchia, (the cruise port of Rome)
We set sail south from Civitavecchia (We’ll pick you up from Rome Fiumicino, from BA0548, which currently departs at 09:20 and lands at 12:40) and have our first wine tasting over dinner with wines selected by Tim Clarke and Cindy-Marie Harvery, from the hills near Rome. (You can make your own way to the ship for boarding between 16:15 & 17:00 latest).
Monday 9 July – Ischia
This morning we hope to stop for a swim, weather permitting, and then have lunch on the beautiful open air Lido-deck as we sail to the beautiful wine island of Ischia.
This afternoon there’ll be time to explore the attractive harbour town. There’ll be an included visit and tasting to one of the Ischian wineries. In the evening we’ll taste wines from producers from Campania and taste their wines over dinner.
We set sail at midnight for a short overnight sail.
Tuesday 10 July – Amalfi
On the beautiful Amalfi coast, we sail into Amalfi, mooring alongside so you can step ashore straight after breakfast. There is a wine visit to the excellent estate of Marisa Cuomo. We taste the wines out on a terrace overlooking our ship in the bay below and enjoy a lunch of local specialities. There’ll be time to explore Amalfi before we set sail.
Supper with further wines chosen by the Arblaster & Clarke team of wine experts will be served from Southern Italy.
Wednesday 11 July – At Sea
Today we enjoy the great pleasure of being on the Sea Cloud as we sail towards Corsica. With the whole day and following evening at sea you’ll be able to watch the magical spectacle of this stunning sailing ship in full sail (weather and wind permitting) and really relax!
Lunch will be on the open deck. We’ll fit in a wine tasting hosted by Tim Clarke at some stage during the day in addition to a having the Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours selection of fine Italian wines over dinner.
Thursday 12 July – Arrival Bonifacio
It’s worth being awake early this morning to watch as we come in to the narrow harbour of Bonifacio with its towering cliffs. Again, we are alongside this morning, so as soon as we’re moored up you can hop ashore to explore for a couple of hours.
Just before lunch, we are joined by a Corsican wine producer. Then early afternoon we set sail again and dine this evening with A&C’s selection of our favourite Sardinian wines.
Friday 13 July – Elba
This morning we spend ashore on the beautiful island of Elba, just off the Tuscan coast. The attractive town of Portoferraio is home to lots of tempting shops including those selling a variety of Elban wine, such as the locally produced red dessert wine, Aleatico. We set sail in the afternoon for St Tropez. This evening, with dinner, we’ll enjoy Arblaster & Clarke’s selection of fine wines from Northern Italy.
Saturday 14 July – St Tropez
Our next ‘jet-set’ base is the delightful town of St Tropez – where again it will be our ship that is the centre of attention. It’s Bastille Day so there will be lots going on in the town, and we won’t set sail until after the magnificent firework display, which will give us a superb night-time send off!
Our wine tasting over dinner will concentrate on the South of France (though it’s time to treat ourselves to some Champagne too!).
Sunday 15 July – Nice
We arrive into Nice at breakfast time. Then you can either choose to fly home today or to stay on for a few days. We recommend a superb wine estate-hotel near Lorgues or you can make your own choice from the many hotels in Nice or book with our recommended hotel experts.
Other Pricing Information
Final Balance: Final balance is due 12 weeks before departure so is due on 13/04/2012.
Insurance: We offer a comprehensive travel insurance package for UK based clients only. If you do not have travel insurance and wish to receive details of our policy we will be pleased to forward this to you. It is essential for your own peace of mind that you have travel insurance to protect you in the event of your having to cancel for unforeseen insurable reasons.
Boarding information if you arrange your own transfers: The earliest time you may board is 16:15 and latest 17.00 if you arrange your own transfers. It is a 45 minute taxi journey from Fiumicino airport or central Rome.
Not Included
Personal items/laundry/barbills/doctor’s bills. Anything not specifically mentioned as included. Flights; you may book these yourself or we will be happy to quote for full scheduled flights at the price prevailing on the web at time of booking. We do not book the low-cost carriers. Full payment for flights booked via us are due at time of booking with an administration fee and are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. Taxis from the ship in Nice to your hotel or airport are easily arranged on the spot and payable directly to the taxi.
Cabin descriptions
Owners Suite No.1 (cat A) Double 38m² Ensuite (Bath) £7999 per person
Owners Suite No.2 (cat A) Double 34m² Ensuite (Bath) £7799 per person
Deluxe Original Cabin No.3-5, 7&8 (Cat B) Double/Twin 18 – 25m² Ensuite (Bath) £6750 per person
Deluxe Original Cabin No.6 (Cat B) Double 18m² Ensuite (Shower) £6750 per person
Deluxe Original Cabin No.9&10 (Cat C) Double 18.5 – 20m² Ensuite (Cabin 9 with bath & Cabin 10 with shower) £6599 per person
Cabins No.30,31 (Cat 1) Double 13m² Ensuite (shower) £6450 per person
Cabins No.32,37 (Cat 2) Twin 13m² Ensuite (shower) £5999 per person
Cabins No.18-22 (Cat 3) Twin 12.5m² Ensuite (shower) £4999 per person
Cabins No.23-25 (Cat 3) TSO 12.5m² Ensuite (shower) £6450 per person
Cabins No.28,29 (Cat 4) TSO 10.5m² Ensuite (shower) £5999 per person
Cabin No.14 (Cat 5) TSO (Bunks) 9.5m² Ensuite (shower) £4999 per person
All bed types are fixed. TSO (Twin for Sole Occupancy).
3 of the 5 sole occupancy cabins sold out within 12 hours of launch – and as all cabins are so different, if there is a particular cabin you require, please call us with your debit card to hand to confirm it!
Please Note: There is further description on the cabins on the itinerary, please call 00 44 (0) 1730 263 111 or email us
All cabins are individually air-conditioned and all have marble bathrooms, bathrobes, hairdryer and safe.
Travel Details
The flights are NOT included on this tour in order to give you total flexibility of when you arrive, which airline you would prefer and where you would like to fly from. We are very happy to quote on the main scheduled airlines, and to book these for you (the full price of the flight will be payable along with an administration charge in order to book these and these are non-refundable and non changeable). We are, however, unable to book the low cost airlines.
Wine Notes...
Click here to read wine notes by Tim Clarke and other guest writers on the wine regions visited.
