Earlier this month, I was lucky to be invited aboard SeaDream I for a Caribbean voyage visiting St Lucia, Martinique, Grenada, and St Vincent & The Grenadines. The sailing was my first SeaDream Yacht Club experience, so I looked forward to seeing why the Norwegian operator has cultivated such a devoted following.
A view of the pool on SeaDream I.
No balcony? No problem.
From speaking to potential first-time SeaDream clients, I know the lack of balcony accommodation can deter some. However, you’ll quickly discover that this enhances your time onboard. Many guests will congregate on the decks, making your time on a SeaDream yacht an extremely sociable experience. There’s always an opportunity to talk to someone or catch up on the day’s events – you’re bound to make new friends!
The accommodation itself is lovely. Last year, SeaDream I and SeaDream II underwent a refurbishment period, much of which focused on updating the staterooms and suites. As a result, the rooms are freshly decorated and boast beautiful marble bathrooms complete with walk-in showers.
Dining, SeaDream-style
SeaDream’s seasonal deployments (the Mediterranean in summer, the Caribbean in winter) mean that dining is often on the outside deck, which can be quite something, especially when tendered close to a pretty port with sparkling harbour lights and rolling hills. But, of course, the weather can’t always be guaranteed, so when the ship is sailing or the conditions take a turn, guests will dine in The Salon during the evening.
Breakfast on SeaDream I.
Everyone dines together, and there are four options to choose from: Chef Alistair’s menu (changes daily), the Daily Menu (changes daily), the Vegan Menu (raw food – changes daily), and Always Available (doesn’t change).In addition, there’s a Dessert Extravaganza hosted on outside deck 6 at least one evening per cruise, where you can choose from a selection of delicious desserts. Lunch and breakfast are always served outside, with options including international staples and several chef’s specials.
One of many delicious desserts.
After dinner, most guests head to the Top of the Yacht Bar, which provides occasional evening entertainment and a fabulous menu of expertly-prepared cocktails. Alternatively, there’s also the Piano Bar and a small casino downstairs.
Without a doubt, my favourite day of the cruise was when SeaDream rented a beach in Mayreau. Everyone, including the staff, headed to the shore, and we had champagne, caviar and a beach barbeque, all while serenaded by the sounds of a local steel band – the waiter even ventured into the sea to top up our drinks! It’s the kind of experience many operators would struggle to match, but it’s a frequent event on a SeaDream cruise.
Activities
Life aboard a SeaDream yacht is relaxed and informal. There’s little by way of organised activities, but the main draw is the retractable watersports marina platform. It was available most days during the cruise, and you could water-ski, jetski, Hobie Cat sail or use the platform as a launch pad for swimming. There’s also an inflatable waterslide from the pool deck to the sea, the first of its kind.
The SeaDream slide – the first of its kind!
Both yachts boast excellent wellness facilities, with the SeaDream Spa & Salon available for treatments throughout the cruise. There’s also a Fitness Centre equipped with everything you’ll need to keep trim during your time away, with instructor-led Yoga and Tai Chi sessions available each morning for those who wish to participate.
In the evening, SeaDream allows guests to watch a movie under the stars on the pool deck. Sitting in a reclining chair, you’ll be served fresh popcorn and drink and given pillows and blankets – I can hardly think of a better way to watch a film!
Another exclusive from SeaDream is that they can make up your bed outside on the deck, so you can sleep under the stars and watch the sunrise! Of course, a bottle of champagne awaits, and you can always wear your personalised SeaDream pyjamas.
Personalised water bottles were a lovely touch!
Recommended for:
SeaDream is ideally suited to those young (40 plus) and those young at heart, as well as families and groups who want to enjoy a cruise where socialising with like-minded people is at the forefront of the experience. The atmosphere onboard is exceptionally welcoming and friendly; I got the impression that SeaDream’s guests are unconcerned with the size of your house or how much you earn – they’re just people who genuinely love everything the yachts have to offer.
It’s also worth mentioning that most ports are only accessible by tender, so even though there is an elevator on both yachts, those with less mobility may struggle to get down the stairs.
Final Thoughts
Having worked in the cruise industry for many years, I’ve been fortunate to sail aboard an array of ships, including a few of those classed as the world’s best. SeaDream might not be as slick as some of those operators, but its personality far exceeds anything I have experienced before. The staff (95 crew members) are truly amazing; their enthusiasm and passion are infectious – before you know it, you’ll know where they come from, how many children they have, and even their cat’s name!
Private beach barbeque – the staff on SeaDream are fantastic.
And then there’s the size. In the past few years, the trend has been stretching smaller ships to provide more capacity and facilities. However, as a family-run operation and not answerable to a big corporation, SeaDream can remain resistant to change, so its twin yachts will unlikely exceed a maximum of 112 guests. If you’re looking for a private yacht-style experience, it’s hard to think of anything that could compare.
My week in the Caribbean with SeaDream is the best holiday experience I have ever had on any ship. It is indeed ‘Yachting, Not Cruising”.
If you’d like to speak to me about SeaDream Yacht Club, call me on 0800 008 6684 or email me at Lynne@cruiseline.co.uk. To view our latest special offers, please look at our SeaDream cruise deals.
