When you board the 110-passenger SeaDream I, you're joining a club of travelers eager for an off-the-beaten-path yet still luxurious yacht experience. SeaDream includes virtually everything in the cruise fare so passengers won't have to worry about paying for drinks or tipping. Traditional cruise extras such as candid photographers or additional fee restaurants are absent and not missed—a SeaDream cruise is anything but traditional. SeaDream offers charter service on all sailings but does not charter both ships at once, so a sailing date is always open to a booking guest.
SeaDream I is a twin sister of SeaDream II; these luxury yachts have been operated together since they floated out of the shipyard in the mid-80s as the Sea Goddess I and II. The company is owned and operated by Atle Brynestad, former owner of Royal Viking Line (which is no longer operating) and founder of Seabourn (now owned by Carnival Plc). His co-owner, Chairman and CEO Larry Pimentel, was formerly president and CEO of Classic Hawaii Vacations, and also of Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. The team purchased the two ships from Carnival, gave them an extensive overhaul and renamed them SeaDream I and II in 2002. Both ships went into drydock in 2006 and 2007 to upgrade carpeting and upholstery in public rooms and cabins, to upgrade tenders and the ship's sound system, and to replace the teak decking in the pool and Bridge areas.
SeaDream attracts a variety of guests seeking a luxurious yacht experience. Sailings consist of mostly North American couples and a few families with teenage children, and the ship has a thriving charter business with groups. Age groups vary from 35 to 75 with some couples booking back-to-back itineraries for a two-week cruise. SeaDream plans itineraries in two-week intervals to accommodate guests looking to extend their cruise. These ships are not recommended for passengers confined to wheelchairs.
The spa and optional shore excursions are the only experiences that come with additional fees. SeaDream offers a series of Yachting Land Adventures, custom-designed shore excursions for an additional fee per person, which are described in-depth by the hostess prior to arrival in port. Onboard staff can help guests arrange personal tours or offer advice on getting around, shopping, dining and some of the highlights of each port. Many passengers are well-traveled and choose to stay onboard in various ports of call and there is rarely, if ever, a wait for a tender.
SeaDream makes the most of a small ship by limiting the number of indoor public areas to allow for uncompromised deck space, and once you've had a few hours in those Bali beds, you'll be grateful they did.
The Main Lounge is the center of the indoor public rooms and is used for pre-dinner cocktails, captain's parties and a movie theater when the weather is bad. The casino is tiny and offers only two tables and a few underused slot machines. The boutique for its size has an impressive stock that includes SeaDream logo attire and a variety of perfumes. An elegant library offers a decent selection of books and movies. Public Internet access is located here as well; a fee applies. Complimentary MP3 players are also available, pre-loaded with music. A complimentary golf simulator lets passengers practice their games on over 50 championship golf courses. This widescreen system also doubles as the "movies under the stars" venue and a large-screen TV broadcasts major sporting events like the Super Bowl.
The watersports marina is popular with active passengers who want to water-ski, kayak, windsurf, or take a Jet Ski out on the open water. The platform is only available in ports where SeaDream tenders passengers ashore. Mountain bikes are available for free and guests can rent a Segway to motor around the pier. These activities are only available when the SeaDream is docked in port.
Every meal is made to order using high-quality ingredients. All meals are served in open-seating format and both the main dining Salon and the outside Topside Restaurant can accommodate every passenger onboard so no one has to wait for a table. Food is very good to excellent at all meals and service is attentive with wait staff anticipating your needs by Day 2. Wines are paired with each entree and are quite good. For those looking for more pricey selections, there is an extensive wine list available for purchase. The chef offers both vegetarian options and an Asian spa selection at each meal. A selection of cheeses, petits fours and truffles are served with coffee along with a dessert menu (order the souffle.) Breakfast and lunch are served at the Topside Restaurant. At breakfast, typical cold buffet items such as fruit, yogurt, cereal and breads are served along with cooked-to-order items from the menu. Lunch menus vary each day along with featured wine selections to accompany each entree.
Scheduled entertainment is limited to a piano bar, movie night and a tiny casino, all other pursuits are left up to the guests the most popular being after-dinner at the Top of the Yacht Bar where socializing with other guests and senior crew members are a highlight of each day. The Captain hosts two cocktail parties each week, a welcome and a farewell. Cocktail parties do not mean formal dress; every night is country club casual on SeaDream. Men wear open-collar shirts (leave the ties at home) and slacks; jackets are preferred but not required. Most women wear sundresses, skirts and sweaters, or slacks and tops (no sequins required.)
Standard cabins measure 195 sq ft and can be configured with two twin beds or one queen with two twin duvets for covers. Balconies are not available and the windows do not open. Having an original build date in the 1980s has its advantages, mostly in the cabins where real wood cabinetry abounds. This extra touch somehow makes the yacht experience more authentic as real wood like this is scarce in new builds in this same category. The modern entertainment centers hold a flat-screen TV with CD/DVD player and in-cabin Internet access. There is plenty of storage space and a minifridge is stocked with water bottles, sodas and beer. If you want a full-service bar in your cabin there is an additional fee but alcohol from any of the bars is free. Baths are small but well-appointed with glass-door marble-clad showers and complimentary Bvlgari toiletries. Soft, thick robes are provided for use to compliment the personalized set of SeaDream cotton pajamas given to each passenger. Room service is available 24 hours and wait staff will deliver to anywhere on deck as well as to your cabin; the menu is limited to salads and sandwiches, with no offerings from the restaurant menus. Caviar is available for an additional fee.
These yachts offer more than a cruise: This is a sea-faring luxury vacation up to the task of satisfying everyone from the first-time cruiser to the jet-set millionaires club. These ships outrank the competition based simply on the unique yachting experience. Travelers shopping for a romantic cruise may want to also consider Windstar Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, particularly for itineraries SeaDream has yet to cover, like Tahiti.
