Cruise line focus: SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream Yacht Club is like the luxury cruise experience of Seabourn, but aboard much smaller ships that feel more like private yachts than commercial passenger ships.

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SeaDream Yacht Club is owned by Norwegian industrialist Atle Brynestad, who is also the founder of Seabourn Cruise Line.

As such, this little cruise line feels very similar to the Seabourn experience, but aboard much smaller ships that are intended to feel like private yachts.

The fleet is made up of two identical 4,260-ton ships, each carrying 110-passengers.

SeaDream I and II were built in 1984 and 1985 but have been thoroughly refurbished to modern standards.

The ships have no private balconies, but there’s plenty of deck space and all staterooms are comfortably decorated with high-tech toys, luxurious bedding and ensuites.

The SeaDream cruise experience

SeaDream promotes it’s “yacht-like” cruise experience as “resort-casual”, so you can dress as you like while still enjoying upscale cuisine and amenities.

Because the cruise line’s two ships (SeaDream I and SeaDream II) are very small, carrying just over 100 passengers, the cruise line can give guests a great degree of freedom.

For example, in addition to the beverages, shore excursions and tips all being included in the fare, and all meals being open seating, there is also a great degree of flexibility over destinations.

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During cruises the itinerary remains flexible, so passengers can request that the ship stay longer in a particular port.

A downside to this is that SeaDream ships are often chartered in their entirety, with scheduled cruises cancelled and reimbursed, which can be a nuisance.

A great feature of SeaDream is its free-flowing champagne at all times of the day.

What many cruise passengers keep coming back to SeaDream for, however, is the crew. The service is not only world-class, but also personal to each passenger.

There are countless stories of crew going out of there way to provide passengers with a particular item or experience that was mentioned in passing. This casual, but sophisticated and unpretentious cruise experience is what passengers pay top-dollar for.

The ships’ intimate size fosters a sense of community during the voyage, so although it’s a great choice for couples, with plenty of two-person tables in the dining room, it’s also a special place for making friends.

SeaDream also welcomes on-deck dining, all you have to do is ask your waiter at breakfast.

Another experience unique to SeaDream is sleeping under the stars, either on the double Balinese loungers facing the sea, aft of the Top of the Yacht Bar, or, if you put in your request early, on the big, eight-person bed on the forward deck.

Duvets and pillows are provided. It’s first come, first served, but with only 100 passengers aboard, it’s easy to secure a spot on at least one night of the cruise.

SeaDream cruise itineraries and destinations

Most SeaDream cruises are in the seven night sweet spot, so for young couples with limited vacation time it’s great.

For retirees looking for longer voyages, SeaDream’s varying 7-night itineraries (hardly any cruises are identical) make for an attractive back-to-back option.

SeaDream cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Caribbean.

Types of passengers on a SeaDream cruise

SeaDream is most popular with couples (some cabins even have two-person showers), and they’re well-to-do, extremely affluent couples, running the full range from young to old.

SeaDream is also popular with solo travellers, but on each cruise it’s not uncommon to have one or two larger groups of friends or family cruising together. The majority of passengers are American.

Cruise ships in the SeaDream fleet:

SeaDream I

SeaDream II