Sea Dream I was sleek and turned heads as she docked alongside the port in Monte Carlo. The black TVR was likewise drawing up with my sister-in-law Sue, meeting me for our late season sail to Barcelona.

After a glass of Charles Lafitte, Jeannette led us to our stateroom where we savoured the personal touches. Awaiting us was pre-printed stationery, customised pyjamas neatly bundled with Sea Dream ribbon and Bulgari amenities. As an interior designer, I appreciated the various lighting moods, the assorted throw cushions, the numerous hangers in the wardrobe and the ample drawers.

The cruise was luxurious in style and pace with time to explore ports during the day and into the evening. We walked around old Monte Carlo with its fairy-tale buildings and beautiful gardens. We shopped, sipped chocolat chaud and people-watched at a pavement café in Cannes: photographers and models off to a shoot; locals going about their business; and celebrities in huge shades, heels and handbags. We loved St Tropez with its marina atmosphere and delightful architecture. Employing our excellent French, we chatted with Boules players in the charming Place des Lices but, strangely, were not asked to participate. We soaked up the hustle and bustle of Las Ramblas in Barcelona with its length of stalls that led from the cruise terminal to the cobbled shopping streets. Sea Dream did not offer a formal afternoon tea so we rested each day with room service and a selected DVD in our stateroom.

A pleasure on this almost private yacht carrying just 100 passengers was getting to know the crew and realising that there is not always as much as six degrees of separation. Om Thapa, the Chief Security Officer, is an ex-Ghurkha whose commanding officer turned out to be a friend of mine so back home in Hong Kong, Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Collett was surprised to see my photo with Om. Gary maintained his enthusiasm on the piano each evening no matter the standard of the singers around him. Suave Bartender Xavier was attentive with his cocktail making skills and impromptu maps of France drawn on napkins to show the location of his home town. Ralf in the Top of the Yacht Bar faced the chill to serve nightcaps in the open air where guests that were not dancing wrapped themselves in cosy Sea Dream blankets.

As the waiters got to know us, we were kept amply supplied with my favourite petit fours and chocolate dipped strawberries both after dinner and in our stateroom each night. We suspected that Chef had rather over-ordered as each day’s menu included something soft and pink: Strawberry Flip soup; Strawberry Sorbet; Strawberry Nicoise – no tuna in that salad!

The food was fabulous with choices to suit every palate. Chef Sudesh excelled himself with a signature dinner from his homeland. “One of the best Indian meals I have ever eaten” complimented Sue when we met Chef the next morning in the old market of St Tropez at a tasting of local produce that extended to Rosé wines, cheeses, breads and dips.

It was November, so we chose not to sample the pool, Jacuzzi nor water sports directly from the back of the yacht which would be fun in the summer Mediterranean or winter Caribbean. As sisters-in-law, we are close, but Sue and I decided not to sleep under the stars on a Bali beds that the crew will make suitably romantic. Should I ever Sea Dream with my husband, I love the idea of snuggling under a duvet, faking understanding of the constellations as we enjoy champagne with those chocolate dipped strawberries.