The biggest and one of the most luxurious ships ever built could be gracing the warm winter waters of Dubai from the beginning of 2010, after negotiations were held at the International Travel Bourse (ITB) in Berlin yesterday.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Sea Cloud Cruises are in the final stages of negotiation for the Sea Cloud Hussar, still under construction, to make its debut, and become a regular winter cruise operator, in Dubai from January 2010.
Inspired by the sail ships of old, the Sea Cloud Hussar is being built in Spain by German designers and when completed in 2009, the three-mast full ship will be the biggest sailing ship built, according to Sea Cloud Cruises President Konstantin Bissias.
Sea Cloud Cruises, which includes Sea Cloud, a 75-year-old renovated sailing ship, and the Sea Cloud 2, targets high-end discerning clientele interested in luxury and culture who will pay an average of 850 euro per person per night for a one-week tour, or nearly 6,000 euro.
"The decision to go to Dubai was made for the following reasons," Bissias elaborated. "One — it was quite reachable in the time frame — geographically."
Sea Cloud Cruises usually operates a summer season in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.
"Also, the sailing conditions are suitable and support it," he continued. "There are good air connections from Europe. And there is good infrastructure for five-star clientele."
Bissias said the company's "very, very demanding clientele" were traditionally split evenly between the American and European visitors.
He, however, predicted this might change in favour of more Europeans and the company was interested to see the potential for GCC and Middle East clients.
Two tour programmes, each of one week in different sections of the Gulf, were to be offered over a three-and-a-half-month frame from January, although tour partners and details were yet to be finalised.
"They will be a combination of nature, leisure and culture," Bissias said.
With previous partners, including the National Trust, Bissias said, "This is a cultural thing on a very high level."
The ship itself, which will evoke a sense of nostalgia, is fitted out with top-of-the-line modern facilities and technology.
"It's an absolute landmark," Bissias laughed. "Although it's not a landmark obviously."
Factbox
Sea Cloud Hussar
Length: 445.23 feet
Beam max: 56.43 feet
Draft: 18.54 feet
Height of main mast above deck: 157.50 feet
Height of main mast above waterline: 190 feet
Number of sails: 27
Speed max: 14 knots
Passengers max: 136
Crew max: 90
Delivery: Autumn 2009
First season: from January 2010 touring from Dubai
Source
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Sea Cloud Cruises are in the final stages of negotiation for the Sea Cloud Hussar, still under construction, to make its debut, and become a regular winter cruise operator, in Dubai from January 2010.
Inspired by the sail ships of old, the Sea Cloud Hussar is being built in Spain by German designers and when completed in 2009, the three-mast full ship will be the biggest sailing ship built, according to Sea Cloud Cruises President Konstantin Bissias.
Sea Cloud Cruises, which includes Sea Cloud, a 75-year-old renovated sailing ship, and the Sea Cloud 2, targets high-end discerning clientele interested in luxury and culture who will pay an average of 850 euro per person per night for a one-week tour, or nearly 6,000 euro.
"The decision to go to Dubai was made for the following reasons," Bissias elaborated. "One — it was quite reachable in the time frame — geographically."
Sea Cloud Cruises usually operates a summer season in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.
"Also, the sailing conditions are suitable and support it," he continued. "There are good air connections from Europe. And there is good infrastructure for five-star clientele."
Bissias said the company's "very, very demanding clientele" were traditionally split evenly between the American and European visitors.
He, however, predicted this might change in favour of more Europeans and the company was interested to see the potential for GCC and Middle East clients.
Two tour programmes, each of one week in different sections of the Gulf, were to be offered over a three-and-a-half-month frame from January, although tour partners and details were yet to be finalised.
"They will be a combination of nature, leisure and culture," Bissias said.
With previous partners, including the National Trust, Bissias said, "This is a cultural thing on a very high level."
The ship itself, which will evoke a sense of nostalgia, is fitted out with top-of-the-line modern facilities and technology.
"It's an absolute landmark," Bissias laughed. "Although it's not a landmark obviously."
Factbox
Sea Cloud Hussar
Length: 445.23 feet
Beam max: 56.43 feet
Draft: 18.54 feet
Height of main mast above deck: 157.50 feet
Height of main mast above waterline: 190 feet
Number of sails: 27
Speed max: 14 knots
Passengers max: 136
Crew max: 90
Delivery: Autumn 2009
First season: from January 2010 touring from Dubai
Source
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