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Most ships can’t dock in Venice anymore. Here’s one that can

Oct. 31, 2024
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3 min read
GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Most ships can’t dock in Venice anymore. Here’s one that can
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If sailing a luxury yacht from Venice is on your travel wish list, take note.

For the first time ever, Sea Cloud Cruises' newest and largest vessel, Sea Cloud Spirit, will launch sailings from Venice beginning in the summer of 2025.

While many cruise lines claim itineraries departing from Venice, few cruise ships can actually sail from the city's historic center. Venice began restricting large ships in 2021 to protect the fragile local environment and temper overtourism. Larger vessels have since been diverted to cruise ports outside of Venice, such as Ravenna, Trieste and Marghera (the latter is a different borough of the larger city of Venice). Only ships under 590 feet long and measuring less than 25,000 tons are permitted to dock within the historic center.

Luckily for luxury lovers, the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit falls within those parameters. The ship will berth at San Basilio Terminal, in the city's historic area, providing cruisers easy access to the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and other Venice landmarks. (Other cruise lines still permitted to sail from San Basilio Terminal include Windstar Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises and SeaDream Yacht Club.)

A full-rigged, three-masted sailing yacht, Sea Cloud Spirit is driven by 28 huge sails unfurled by hand by a team of deckhands. Two diesel-electric engines power the vessel when it's not sailing. While Sea Cloud Spirit is modeled on classic sailing ships of old, it features all the modern conveniences you would expect on a new cruise vessel — elegant cabins, upscale dining and modern amenities such as a spa and a fitness center with a sea view.

Sea Cloud Spirit will sail four round-trip, nine-night voyages, including an overnight in the City of Canals. These “Enchanting Croatian Coast” itineraries feature ports of call in Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar, Vis and Rovinj in Croatia, as well as two days under full sail in the Adriatic Sea.

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Related: 8 best Italy cruises for a Mediterranean vacation

The 2025 nine-night sailings depart July 24, Aug. 2, Aug. 11 and Aug. 20. Passengers on the Aug. 2 sailing will enjoy a special cabaret-inspired theme while on board. Called the “Cabaret Cultivated Journey,” the cruise will feature exclusive performances from notable cabaret, concert and recording artist Travis Moser.

Rates for Enchanting Croatian Coast sailings start from $8,545 per person (based on double occupancy). Beyond accommodations, gratuities and all meals, fares include a complimentary stocked in-room minibar (sodas, wines and other alcoholic beverages), free access to the ship's thermal spa and 1 gigabyte of Starlink Internet (per passenger). Some shore excursions are also included in the fare.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.