SeaTravel HAM Kreuzfahrten GmbH

SeaTravel HAM Kreuzfahrten GmbH is a Hamburg-based tour operator that has marketed smaller, distinctive cruise ships since 1998. Its partners include Star Clippers, Variety Cruises, SeaDream and Ponant. The focus is on sailing voyages, yacht cruises and expeditions aboard smaller ships.

Sailing ships, yachts and expedition vessels

The three Star Clippers ships illustrate the differences between the tall ships: the Royal Clipper is a full-rigged, five-masted ship. The Star Clipper and the Star Flyer are four-masted sister ships; both are marketed by SeaTravel as sailing cruise ships. Variety Cruises’ offerings range from the three-masted motor sailer Galileo, which carries up to 49 guests, to the motor yacht Callisto, with a capacity of 34. SeaDream adds twin megayachts to the portfolio, while Ponant contributes expedition ships.

SeaTravel also cites the size of smaller ships as a reason for its selection: according to the company, they can call at many small ports and bays that large cruise ships cannot reach. The sailing cruise catalogue describes the Star Clippers ships’ seasonal pattern: summer voyages in the Mediterranean, winter trips in the Caribbean, and transatlantic crossings in spring and autumn. According to SeaTravel, routes are planned around prevailing winds; when the winds are insufficient, low-sulphur marine diesel is used instead of heavy fuel oil.

Beginnings with the MS Primadonna

In its early years, SeaTravel primarily marketed the MS Primadonna as a cultural cruise ship on the Danube. The company then developed its offering to focus on distinctive journeys aboard small ships. Star Clippers is one of its long-standing business partners. The management describes personal advice and long-term cooperation with providers as part of the company’s profile as a tour operator.

In 2019, SeaTravel launched Green Ocean Cruises as its own label for smaller ships whose operators commit to particularly sustainable operations and to not using heavy fuel oil. SeaTravel has been registered as a trade mark since 2016, and Green Ocean Cruises since 2019.

Advice and trip planning

Guests have the same contact person throughout their trip. Trip planning can include pre- and post-cruise programmes, such as flights, hotel stays and transfers. The image catalogue explains that the company combines these elements into a complete trip tailored to travellers’ wishes and to the cruise in question.

One example of an escorted group trip is the voyage listed for September 2027 to the Voiles de Saint-Tropez sailing regatta. The programme combines a seven-night cruise aboard the Star Clipper from Rome with two hotel nights in the city. The trip ends in Nice, with stops including Portoferraio, Portofino, Calvi, Menton and Saint-Tropez. SeaTravel names its managing director, Siegrid Grammerstorf, as the group escort.