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SeaDream's yachts emerge from a US$10 million facelift

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Following my last report back from SeaDream, somebody who had been on board in the autumn sent me a note to say they had enjoyed their cruise, but felt the ship was looking 'rather tired'.

I think we all know that these elderly old ladies are never going to have the sparkling contemporary vibe of the newest luxury ships - and of course that is part of their charm. Cosy, intimate and with a classic yachty feel, much of the SeaDream appeal lies in the varnished wood, brass, rope and teak decking. But the 'tired' feeling has been addressed with a well-earned facelift for these lovely ladies.

An investment of US$10 million includes numerous touchpoints, with each upgrade designed to align with the desires of today's luxury traveller, whilst not impacting on the classic style we know and love. A complete renovation of all staterooms, starting from the bare steel, has included all-new hardware and soft furnishings, with streamlined storage areas to provide more comfortable, functional space, state-of-the-art electrical upgrades, and new 55-inch LED TVs.

SeaDream II - Yacht Club Stateroom

Gorgeous Burmese teakwood decking throughout all outside decks mirrors a centuries-old yachting tradition of durability and luxury, whilst new Balinese Dream Beds, sun loungers, and stargazers, not to mention parasols and hammocks, are perfect to enhance the al fresco lifestyle of a SeaDream cruise. There are two new couples' Jacuzzis on Deck 6 forward which provide unobstructed 360-degree views and two new outdoor rain showers are perfect for cooling off after sunbathing.

SeaDream II's new couple's Jacuzzis

Fans of SeaDream particularly enjoy the time spent swimming and playing off the ship, and an upgraded marina platform makes this even more appealing. We think the SeaDream style is perfect for the Caribbean, with lots of opportunity to soak up the laid-back vibe of the region. We are delighted to note that our clients think the same, with an extraordinary 95% of those who travelled in January and February this year rebooking on board in eager anticipation of their next SeaDream cruise.

One of those clients reported that he had been chatting on deck to the Indian chef who then surprised him with a special curry at dinner that evening, and we have heard so many more of those 'surprise and delight' moments when individual crew members have noted particular tastes and preferences, and anticipated them: a cup of tea delivered to your sun lounger on the dot of 4pm, or a glass of Champagne as you lean against the railing on a deserted deck, watching the sun go down.

SeaDream Yacht Club - Top of the Yacht bar

Trying to identify exactly why SeaDreamers come back again and again, we consistently hear the same things. It's all about the passengers: people speak of the very sociable, unpretentious crowd on board, so you enjoy interesting conversations with a very wide range of ages and nationalities. And it's all about the crew, with service incomparably better than the five star hotels in Barbados and Saint Lucia, and attention which is not just professional but also supremely kind.

When talking about SeaDream, we often forget to mention the food, which is outstanding, particularly for a ship of this size. Smaller vessels tend to have rather limited menus, but on SeaDream the chefs somehow manage to achieve great variety and choice whilst avoiding food wastage, with beautiful presentation and delicious flavours.

Fine dining on SeaDream Yacht Club

Are you ready to inspect the SeaDream facelift? Take a look at appealing winter Caribbean itineraries through to April 2024 (with a smattering of Barbados round-trips) or choose one of the lovely Mediterranean journeys exploring the French and Italian Rivieras, the lovely Adriatic coast, the charming Greek Islands or further afield to the Holy Land.

Meet the author

Edwina Lonsdale is Managing Director and together with husband Matthew, owner of Mundy Cruising. Most recently she's cruised on Windstar and has also sailed with Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, SeaDream, Ponant, AmaWaterways and Aqua Expeditions. Her favourite destination is the Galapagos however she's also enjoyed cruises in the Mediterranean, Danube, Middle East, East Africa & Indian Ocean, Brahmaputra, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Mekong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Caribbean and the Arctic. When she’s not travelling she loves reading, food and wine.

More about Edwina

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