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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
