SeaDream Yacht Club: The Ultimate Guide

Overview

SeaDream Yacht Club has two boats, SeaDream I and II, both of which are identical mega-yachts that have 56 guest cabins and can accommodate 112 guests crewed by 95 staff members. The boats spend May–October in Europe and Mediterranean destinations and November–April in the Caribbean. Of the four different voyages I’ve taken with SeaDream, I’ve experienced both boats, as well as itineraries in the Med and Caribbean, and the amenities, impeccable service, quality of ports and land adventures have been consistent throughout. The vibe is very classic luxury nautical yacht — both boats underwent complete refreshes during 2020 but stayed true to the original design feel.

Cabins

All cabins are spread across three decks and all have sea-facing windows that come in four configurations: staterooms and three variously sized suites. All staterooms are identical in size and include a sleeping area, living space and a bathroom with showers. The only difference is in the staterooms on deck two — these have portal windows versus full-size windows on the upper floors (I prefer the larger windows). The suite options allow for larger sitting room space and larger bathrooms that include bathtubs. As compared to many chartered options and more standard cruise ship cabins, the staterooms are quite big. The only option these cabins do not have are private balconies.

• Top of the Yacht Bar: The best views and social hub of the ship center around the Top of the Yacht bar on deck six. The bartenders mix up creative cocktails and a scaled-down all-day menu provides additional dining options.

• Balinese Dream beds: Wrapping around deck six are the signature SeaDream Balinese beds. During the day, these loungers with private nooks are a great place to relax, taking in the views and a good book, but at night these can be reserved for a unique glamping-style slumber beneath the stars.

• Pool, Marina and Waterslide: I always like to reserve one day to stay on the ship and take advantage of the pool and marina activities. The pool is on deck three with sun loungers lining the railings, and when the water conditions are right, the crew will open up the marina down below the pool deck, which offers an opportunity to swim off the back of the yacht’s platform or use one of the many motorized and non-motorized water sports. A newer water amenity added in recent years is a giant inflatable waterslide that will launch you off the ship into the sea below. I can personally attest to the speed and need to secure your bottoms!

• Spa: For ultimate relaxation, head to the SeaDream Spa to experience the only Thai-certified spa at sea. These Thai-certified therapists work miracles on achy muscles, but my personal favorite service is their facial.

• Piano Bar & Casino: Enjoy a nightcap around the Piano Bar or try your luck in the casino, both located on deck four, attached to the Library.

• Movies under the stars: Get cozy in deck chairs around the pool and enjoy the ultimate under-the-stars cinema experience from the back of the boat.

• On shore: Whether docked in port or arriving by tender boat, the fantastic advantage of being on a small boat is that you can go ashore on your own schedule and there is rarely much of a wait. After your day exploring, you’ll feel spoiled when the SeaDream crew welcomes you under a private tented area with refreshments while your tender is called to bring you back aboard.

• SeaDream's signature Yachting Land Adventures: Small group tours where you’ll have the opportunity to engage with local experts to explore the native land and culture. Whether truffle-hunting in Italy, taking a cooking class in a French chateau or snorkeling at a protected turtle preserve in the Caribbean, these tours give you access to exclusive experiences to enrich your voyage. Additionally, crew members will also lead guests on more casual excursions like shopping the local markets with the chef or joining the captain on a hike.

I’m not much for all-inclusive cuisine, but SeaDream is one of my few exceptions. The quality and service are five-star and there is no better ambiance (IMHO) than dining al fresco admiring the sea, coastline and luxury yachts dotting the harbor alongside you.

Breakfast and lunch are served on the decks of the Topside Restaurant. Dinner is served in the dining salon and, depending on the water conditions, the Topside may also be open. Dinner is a multi-course treat complete with wine pairings for the evening specialties. I appreciate that each menu includes options for lighter, health-conscious fare without compromising on quality or taste. Throughout your voyage, you’ll get to know the chef and sommelier and both are always eager to offer suggestions and customizations based on your personal preferences. On my last sailing, we mentioned to a server a particular Croatian dish we loved. As that was his home country, the next day, the chef came to find us and offered to make us his version of the dish for lunch the next day.

My first SeaDream sailing was a babymoon trip around the Greek Islands and Turkish coast. We departed out of Alexandria, Egypt, and I’ll never forget sailing out of the Port of Alexandria set against a hazy red sunset sipping a mocktail and enjoying a Thai shoulder massage. That journey was very special but so have been the subsequent three Caribbean sailings as well. On all the standard itinerary voyages I’ve taken, there’s always been magic worked into the destinations, from a private evening concert in the Roman ruins of Ephesus to exploring St. Barths' hidden gems on ATVs or a caviar splash beach party on Jost Van Dyke island.

In addition to the standard voyages around the Caribbean and Mediterranean, SeaDream also has a limited amount of special itineraries every season, including wine voyages, fjord voyages and European canal crossings. And, for those who know which dates to look for, they regularly align itineraries with glitzy events like Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix and New Year's Eve in St. Barths. Be warned: these voyages are typically offered to returning SeaDream club members before being published to the public, so working with a travel advisor can be especially helpful if trying to book one of these special sailings.