Local businessman is new Windjammer Cruises Managing Partner

Local businessman Adam Shockey, owner of Tour St. Augustine Inc., a longtime Historic City News sponsor, has acquired co-ownership of Sail Windjammer Cruises Inc., which operates week-long Caribbean cruises year round aboard the historic SV Mandalay.

From her beautiful teak decks and mahogany fittings, to the hand-raised sails and antique brass fixtures throughout, the SV Mandalay offers one of the very few authentic experiences of old world maritime heritage sailing still available today.

“SV Mandalay sails with approximately 58 passengers and over a dozen crew members,” Shockey explained. “Itineraries include St. Martin, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, and many other off-the-beaten path destinations rich with nautical culture and traditions.”

SV Mandalay was built in 1923 by financier E.F. Hutton for his wife, Merriweather Post. In the 1930’s the 236ft vessel, originally christened “Hussar”, was sold to shipping magnate George Vettlesen who re-christened her “Vema”.

Later she was put into service by Columbia University sailing over a million miles worldwide, with evidence gathered on her voyages confirming the theory of the continental drift.

After being christened Mandalay and changing hands through private ownership and various cruise companies over the decades, this truly historic ship came to be part of Sail Windjammer in 2012 by founding partners Cindy Greenway and Sylvester Dzomeku.

Shockey says Tour St. Augustine Inc. looks forward to expanding its heritage tourism offerings to travelers who seek authentic historical travel experiences. For more information on sailing the SV Mandalay, please visit www.SailWindjammer.com.