SeaDream Yacht Club
It’s like having your own mega-yacht for stylish, relaxing cruises
The Ship. SeaDream II is best suited to sophisticated and well-traveled couples who are typically over 40 – in fact anyone looking for a small ship with excellent food approaching gourmet standards, and fine European-style service in surroundings that border on the elegant and refined while remaining trendy.
SeaDream II (and sister ship SeaDream I) were originally funded by about 800 investors, and operated under the Norske Cruise banner as Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II. They have a sleek profile, with deep blue hull and white superstructure, and the ambience of a private club. After they were bought by SeaDream Yacht Club in 2001, they were completely refurbished, with many changes to public rooms and outdoor areas, and several new features added to create what are contemporary, chic, and desirable, if aging, vessels.
These ships are popular for small company charters, so you may find that the date and itinerary you want will not be available (you may be asked to change to the sister ship and a different itinerary).
A ‘Top of the Yacht’ bar, crafted in warm wood, was added to both ships. So were eight special alcoves set to the port and starboard sides of the funnel, equipped with two-person sunloungers with thick pads (and two equipped for one person); however, there is quite a bit of noise from the adjacent funnel. You can sleep under the stars if you wish (cotton sleep suits are provided).
At the front part of the deck there are more sunloungers and a couple of large hammocks, as well as a golf simulator with a 30-course choice.
Inside, there is unabashed but discreet sophistication, and the public rooms have flowers everywhere. The main social gathering places are the lounge, a delightful library/living room with a selection of about 1,000 books, a piano bar (more like a karaoke bar at times), and a small casino with blackjack tables and slot machines.
SeaDream II really is like having your own private yacht, in which hospitality, anticipation, and personal recognition are art forms practiced to a high level. The staff is delightful and accommodating, and the dress code is resort (no tie) casual. Fine-quality furnishings and fabrics are used throughout, with marble and blond wood accents that make it warm.
SeaDream II is a good choice for you if you don’t like the idea of regular cruise ships, with glitzy lounges and a platoon of people running around, or dressing up – no tuxedos or gowns are allowed, and ties aren’t needed. It’s all about personal indulgence and refined, unstructured living at sea, in a casual setting akin to that on a private mega-yacht. One delightful feature of each cruise in warm-weather areas is a ‘caviar in the surf’ beach barbecue.
SeaDream I and II were the first of the mega-yacht-style ships when built, and none of the cabins has a private balcony – but anyway, yachts don’t have balconies. One not-so-positive item is the fact that the reception desk is now called the Concierge, although it is doubtful whether the staff has the kind of in-depth knowledge that is expected of a concierge. Embarkation never starts before 3pm, in case you are eager to get aboard.
Accommodation. There are four types – in six price categories (depending on location, size, and grade) – which, from the largest to the smallest, are: Owner’s Suite; Admiral Suite; Commodore Club Suite; and Yacht Club (standard) Cabin.
For the largest living space, go for the Owner’s Suite. This measures a grand 490 sq ft (46 sq m). It’s the only accommodation with a bathroom that incorporates a real full-size tub; there’s also a separate shower enclosure and lots of space for toiletries.
Added in 2008–9, the Admiral Suite is adjacent to the piano bar/library. It’s a little smaller than the Owner’s Suite, but is well laid out and extremely comfortable.
For accommodation larger than standard, choose one of the 16 Commodore Club Suites. These consist of two standard cabins with an interconnecting door, thus providing you with a healthy 380 sq ft (35 sq m) of living space. One cabin is made into a lounge and dining room, with table and up to four chairs, while the other becomes your sleeping area. The advantage is that you get two bathrooms. One disadvantage is that the soundproofing between cabins could be better.
Incorrectly called ‘suites’ in the brochure, Yacht Club Cabins are, more correctly, fully equipped mini-suites with an outside view through windows or portholes, depending on deck and price category. Each measures 195 sq ft (18 sq m) , not large by today’s cruise ship standards; however, it is large compared to cabins aboard many private motor yachts, and extremely large when compared to oceangoing racing yachts. The sleeping area has twin beds that can be put together to form a queen-size configuration; a curtain separates the sleeping and lounge areas. All cabinetry and furniture is of thick blond wood, with nicely rounded edges.
A long vanity desk in the sleeping area has a large mirror above it. There are two small drawers for cosmetic items, and a brass clock is positioned on one wall. A mirror is placed opposite the bed, which won’t please those who follow feng shui principles.
In the lounge area, a vertical cupboard unit houses a safe, refrigerator, and drinks cabinet stocked with your choice of drinks. There is also a 20-ins (51-cm) flat-screen television, CD and DVD player, and an MP3 audio player with more than 100 selections. The beds have the finest linens, including thick cotton duvets; hypoallergenic pillows are also available. There’s little room under the beds for luggage, although this can be taken away and stored. Note that the insulation between cabins is not particularly good, although this rarely presents a problem.
When the ships became SeaDream I and II, all bathrooms were totally refurbished. The cheerful decor is nicer than before, with soft colors and large marble tiles. The former tiny sit-in bathtubs were taken out and replaced by multi-jet power glassed-in shower enclosures. Bulgari toiletries are provided, as are gorgeously plush cotton SeaDream-logo bathrobes and towels. However, despite their having been completely rebuilt, the bathrooms are small, particularly for those of larger-than-average build. Also, the bathroom door opens inward, so space inside is at a premium. The toilet is located in a somewhat awkward position, and, unless you close the door, you can see yourself in the mirror facing of the closets, opposite the bathroom door.
Dining. The dining salon, called The Restaurant, is elegant and inviting, and has bird’s-eye maple wood-paneled walls and alcoves showcasing beautiful handmade glass creations. It is cozy, yet with plenty of space around each table for fine service, and the open-seating arrangement means you can dine whenever, and with whomever, you want. Course-by-course meals can also be served out on deck. Tables can be configured for two to eight. They are laid with a classic setting of a real glass base (show) plate, Porsgrund china, pristine white monogrammed table linen, and fresh flowers.
Candlelit dinners are part of the inviting setting. There’s even a box of spare spectacles for reading the menu, in case you forget your own. You get leather-bound menus, and close-to-impeccable personalized European service.
The SeaDream Yacht Club experience really is all about dining, and culinary excellence prevails, using the freshest and finest-quality ingredients possible. Fine, unhurried European service is provided. Additionally, good-quality Champagne is available whenever you want it, and so is caviar, albeit American farmed Hackleback sturgeon malossol caviar. The ice cream, which is made on board, is excellent. In addition to the regular menus, some beautifully prepared and presented ‘raw food’ menu items have been introduced, in cooperation with Florida’s Hippocrates Institute, with nothing cooked at a temperature of more than 115°F (46°C) .
SeaDream II provides extremely creative cuisine. Everything is prepared individually to order, and special orders are possible. You can also dine course by course in your suite for any meal, at any time during meal hours. The dining room isn’t open for lunch, which disappoints those who don’t want to eat outside, particularly in hot climates.
Good-quality table wines are included in the cruise fare for lunch and dinner. Wine connoisseurs, however, will appreciate the availability of an extra wine list, full of special vintages and premier crus at extra cost. If you want to do something different with a loved one, you can also arrange to dine one evening on the open (but covered) deck, overlooking the swimming pool and stern – a rather romantic setting.
The Topside Restaurant is an informal open-air eatery and has roll-down sides (in case of inclement weather), and is open for breakfast, lunch, or the occasional dinner.
Entertainment. There is no evening entertainment as such (it’s not needed), other than a duo or solo musician to provide music for listening and dancing to in the lounge. Dinner is the main event, and DVDs are available to take to your cabin.
Spa/Fitness. The holistic approach to wellbeing plays a big part in relaxation and body pampering aboard SeaDream II. There are three massage rooms, a small sauna, and steam shower enclosure. The Spa, located in a private area, is operated as a concession by Universal Maritime Services. Massage on the beach is available when the ship stages its famous beach party.
For golfers, there’s an electronic golf simulator, and choice of several golf courses to play. There is a small, retractable water sports platform at the stern. Equipment carried includes a water-ski boat, sailboat, wave runners (jet skis), kayaks, wake boards, snorkeling equipment, and two Zodiacs – all included in the price of a cruise. The sea conditions must be just right (minimal swell) for these items to be used, which, on average is once or twice during a typical seven-night cruise. Ten mountain bikes are also carried; these can be used on shore visits.