Club Med 2

Club Med 2 is a large five-masted staysail schooner operated by Club Med as a sailing cruise ship. Launched in Le Havre, France, in 1992, it was designed to combine the atmosphere and visual identity of a traditional sailing vessel with the reliability and maneuverability of a modern cruise ship. Its propulsion system uses seven computer-controlled sails together with diesel-electric machinery: four diesel generators supply power to two electric motors. This hybrid arrangement allows the vessel to make use of wind while retaining conventional propulsion and onboard electrical capacity. The ship was developed from the concept of smaller motor-sailing yachts, including Windstar Cruises vessels such as Wind Star, Wind Spirit, and Wind Song. Like those ships, Club Med 2 emphasizes an intimate yacht-like experience rather than the scale and density associated with the largest contemporary cruise liners. The vessel was built by Société Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, the French shipyard also associated with the construction of the smaller yachts that influenced its design. Its sister ship, Club Med 1, was later sold to Windstar Cruises and renamed Wind Surf in 1998. Club Med 2 can accommodate up to 386 passengers and has a crew of approximately 214. Its relatively modest capacity enables it to visit smaller ports and anchorages that may be inaccessible to much larger cruise ships. The ship's itineraries vary by season. During the European summer it generally operates in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic seas. In winter it moves to the Caribbean, while eastbound and westbound transatlantic crossings are offered during the spring and autumn respectively. The onboard experience is built around leisurely sailing, scenic coastal access, and resort-style activities. The ship offers ballroom dancing, bridge, and music programming, and commonly sails at night before making a stop each morning. A deployable water-sports platform at the stern supports aquatic activities when the ship is anchored. These features position Club Med 2 as a specialist sailing-cruise product within the broader Club Med hospitality portfolio, combining the company's vacation-oriented service model with the distinctive experience of a mechanically assisted sailing vessel. Club Med 2 is therefore both a named vessel and a recognizable hospitality offering. Its identity rests on the integration of five-masted sailing aesthetics, computer-assisted rigging, diesel-electric backup, small-ship itineraries, and Club Med's onboard leisure programming. Publicly available reference material identifies the vessel's launch, technical configuration, capacity, operating regions, and relationship to Club Med, but does not provide sufficient information to establish a separate corporate structure, independent financial reporting, named executives, or a detailed record of marketing campaigns and controversies specific to the ship.

Club Med 2 was created as a sailing-cruise vessel for Club Med, drawing on the design approach of smaller motor-sailing yachts associated with Windstar Cruises. The ship was built in France by Société Nouvelle des Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre, the same shipyard connected with the construction of Wind Star, Wind Spirit, and Wind Song. Rather than functioning as a conventional tall ship dependent entirely on wind, Club Med 2 was engineered as a hybrid vessel. Seven computer-operated sails provide the ship with its distinctive sailing capability, while four diesel generators supply electricity to two electric motors. This arrangement combines the visual and experiential qualities of a schooner with the operational flexibility of powered cruise navigation. The vessel was launched in Le Havre in 1992. Its five-masted staysail-schooner configuration made it one of the largest sailing cruise ships of its period and gave it a clear point of distinction within the cruise market. Club Med 2 was intended to offer a more intimate alternative to large cruise liners, with a passenger capacity of up to 386 and a crew complement of approximately 214. The relatively low passenger count supports a quieter, yacht-like atmosphere and allows the ship to visit smaller ports and anchorages that cannot always accommodate large cruise ships. The ship's sister vessel, Club Med 1, followed a related concept but was subsequently sold to Windstar Cruises. In 1998, Club Med 1 was renamed Wind Surf. This transaction changed the makeup of Club Med's sailing fleet, while Club Med 2 continued to operate under the Club Med name and remained the company's principal named sailing-cruise vessel in the available reference material. Club Med 2 operates on a seasonal route pattern. European summer itineraries cover the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic seas. During the winter season, the vessel operates in the Caribbean. Transatlantic voyages are available in spring for eastbound crossings and in autumn for westbound crossings. The ship's route planning is consistent with its small-ship positioning: it can combine major cruising regions with access to coastal stops and anchorages that are less practical for the largest passenger ships. Onboard programming centers on leisure and relaxed social activity. Listed activities include ballroom dancing, bridge, and music. The ship generally sails during the night and makes a stop each morning, creating a rhythm focused on daily destination visits rather than extended periods in port. A water-sports deck can be deployed from the stern, adding an active recreational component when the vessel is anchored. Club Med 2 is best understood as a branded hospitality product embodied in a specific ship rather than as a standalone corporation. Its brand meaning comes from the combination of Club Med's vacation-service identity, the romance of a five-masted sailing vessel, computer-assisted rigging, diesel-electric propulsion, seasonal international itineraries, and intimate onboard capacity. The supplied reference material does not establish a separate founding individual, independent headquarters, public listing, financial performance, or a documented history of ship-specific scandals, campaigns, or executive appointments.

• 1998

  Sister ship transferred to Windstar Cruises

  [1]Club Med 2en.wikipedia.org

  Club Med 1 was sold to Windstar Cruises and renamed Wind Surf, distinguishing Club Med 2 as the remaining vessel associated with the Club Med sailing-ship concept.

• 1992

  Launch in Le Havre

  [1]Club Med 2en.wikipedia.org

  Club Med 2 was launched in Le Havre, France, as a five-masted motor-sailing cruise ship.

A boutique, yacht-style sailing cruise experience that combines Club Med hospitality and leisure programming with a five-masted, computer-assisted sailing vessel capable of reaching smaller anchorages.

• Cruise travel · 1992

  Club Med 2 sailing cruises

  Cruise holidays conducted aboard the five-masted Club Med 2. The offering combines a small-ship sailing environment with diesel-electric propulsion, Club Med leisure programming, seasonal itineraries, and access to smaller ports and anchorages. Activities listed for the vessel include ballroom dancing, bridge, music, and water sports supported by a stern platform deployed while anchored.

• 1998

  Sale of sister ship Club Med 1M&A

  Background

  Club Med operated two related sailing vessels, but the available reference records the subsequent sale of Club Med 1 to Windstar Cruises.

  Action taken

  Club Med 1 was sold to Windstar Cruises and renamed Wind Surf.

  Aftermath

  Club Med 2 continued as the Club Med vessel associated with the company's sailing-cruise offering.

  Source

1. 1Club Med 2en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Club Med official websiteclubmed.fr