Happy Birthday, SeaDream

“It’s yachting, not cruising”

It seems like only yesterday when we learned about their founder’s vision of a new luxury, sea-going concept in travel, but SeaDream Yacht Club and their boutique, twin mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, are celebrating their 10th year in business this month.

While the company’s history isn’t long, it’s quite interesting. Since its inception, SeaDream has been providing unique, intimate yachting holidays with an emphasis on highly personalized service. When the company was founded they brought a refreshing change to the world of ultra-luxury holidays at sea, with the intention of being completely different from any and every other cruise product. As Bob Lepisto, President of SeaDream shares, “We started out 10 years ago right after the September 11th attack. Travel came to a halt but our team’s energy and dedication wouldn’t be deterred. We are all very proud of our accomplishment and grateful to our guests, devoted employees, and travel agent partners who collectively drive our success.”

SeaDream Yacht Club was founded by Norwegian entrepreneur, Atle Brynestad, who is the company's Owner and Chairman and certainly no stranger to luxury cruise travel. Brynestad founded Seabourn Cruise Line in 1987 and was its Chairman for ten years as well as CEO during the initial years. In 1999, two Cunard ships named Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II (that originally sailed as Sea Goddess Cruises) were transferred into the Seabourn Cruise Line fleet and renamed Seabourn Goddess I and Seabourn Goddess II. Those twin vessels were purchased from Carnival (Seabourn Cruise Line’s parent company) in 2001 by Brynestad. He then named them SeaDream I and SeaDream II and put them through an extensive dry dock and refit. They emerged set to fulfill their “It’s yachting, not cruising” mandate. Yachting describes the lifestyle aboard both chic and stylish mega-yachts, which accommodate only 112 guests each. Elegant informality, exceptional service provided by a crew of 95, inclusive open bar and gratuities, ocean-view accommodations, a luxury spa, and world class cuisine are what guests have come to expect on board. As a testament to the line's success, those expectations are often exceeded.

On a personal note, when the Cruise Diva team sailed aboard SeaDream I we were taking a break at The Top of the Yacht Bar and Mel said, “The bar has a blender and there is ice cream in the buffet, I wonder if the bartender can make a chocolate milkshake.” Yes, he could, and he did. Without being asked, the bartender who overheard Mel whipped one up and presented it to him. Wishes, as well as dreams can come true.

This month SeaDream will be celebrating onboard with 10th anniversary themed parties and decadent dessert extravaganzas well as a few other surprises, which they haven’t revealed. But then if they did, they wouldn’t be surprises.

Find out more by visiting SeaDream Yacht Club online.

Photo: Courtesy of SeaDream Yacht Club