Having only ever cruised on larger ships it was with much anticipation that my husband and I boarded Seadream II in Nice on a seven night voyage for our honeymoon, the attraction being the informal relaxed atmosphere.

After a speedy check-in quayside it can’t have been more than a couple of minutes before we were on board and being welcomed with a cool glass of champagne then shown to our cabin where more champagne on ice lay waiting – so far so good!

Accomodating only 55 couples with 94 crew members we were thoroughly spoilt, drinks and gratuities are included so there is no signing tabs – therefore how did the staff know my name??? To be greeted personally wherever I was on the ship by staff I hadn’t met was a very special touch (of course this applied to all guests and the ship hadn’t been pre-advised that a special guest would be sailing with them but this is how it made you feel). Dress code onboard is resort wear during the day and casually elegant in the evening so you can leave you formal attire at home.

Unfortunately owing to bad weather our itinerary was changed and we had to miss a couple of ports we had been looking forward to. Seadream couldn’t control the weather but they constantly work at keeping their guests happy and for those who didn’t wish to venture out, a latest movie and popcorn were provided in the main salon. Sailing into Portofino, a quaint and colourful port, (you must try a bellini) was a memorable experience with a guide onboard talking us through the sights along the way. Next port was St.Tropez where we admired the Yachts from one of the many terrace cafes and indulged in a spot of shopping. We went ashore with the chef in a group in Cannes to a market sampling wonderful cheeses which were served that evening in the dining salon.

If it’s just a rest you’re after then consider the Balinese Dreambeds a special treat – raised above the sightline of the yacht’s railings to provide unobstructed views these double sunbeds are great for reading a book or just lazing in the sun. My husband even had his breakfast brought to him on one! As I returned to my sun lounger one day my husband said that one of the barmen had been around cleaning glasses which I thought was odd, and said “can’t we have a fresh one”. As I sat down he spotted me and came over, took my sunglasses! and cleaned them with a magic solution – they were so clear! and so unexpected.

Dining al fresco is a popular attraction in the topside restaurant with small alcoves for those wishing to dine privately. Dinner is open seating in the dining salon with tables catered for 2,4,6,8,10, we dined with our new friends a couple of nights but being “honeymooners” wished to dine alone – there were rather a lot of couples dining alone so we waited some evenings in the main salon until a table was ready. As we are so relaxed and laid back we were often the last to go to dinner. Dining was a very elegant yet relaxed affair with a new menu each day offering a generous and sumptuous selection. Sommeliers pour a selection of complimentary wines with lunch and dinner. Fresh sandwiches were available by the pool and topside bar each day and different delights such as strawberries & cream, fruit boats and the like – I must warn you the barmen are psychic, a plate of strawberries and cream were delivered to me on my lounger with a knowing smile!

For a small ship the evenings still had a choice of entertainment from live concerts screened in the main salon, Emilio on the keys in the piano bar to music and cocktails in the topside bar or for those of you with a gambling streak a small casino. I was so impressed when I requested Emilio (who incidentally drives the speed boat when watersports are permitted!) to play a Ray Charles number that he didn’t have. The very next evening he played it for me and had handwritten the lyrics which he insisted I sing with him – my husband was none too impressed by the title “hit the road Jack”!

Although attentive the staff of Seadream are unobtrusive and appear just when you need them. It was the little touches that made my Seadream experience very unique and it’s not surprising that they have won the top service award in Travel and Leisure magazine for the past three years.