Expect the Unexpected

By Dennise Tracey

I just returned from a very special vacation. I could say simply that I went on a cruise but that is not quite accurate. In truth, I went yachting. Yachting is very different from cruising. Yachting is open and unstructured. It's no clocks, no crowds, no lines, no stress. Sea Dream is a yacht company not a cruise line. Born from the Yachts of Seabourn, Sea Dream Yacht Club is an elegant but casual lifestyle. 

From the minute we arrived at the pier, we knew it was going to be very different than anything we had experienced before. Because the yacht's total passenger capacity is only 116 people, there were no lines to check in. We were greeted by 2 staff members sitting at the foot of the gangway, who took our cruise ticket and welcomed us to Sea Dream I. At the top of the gangway we were greeted by the yacht's Hotel Manager, Jonathan who welcomed us and handed us each a cold glass of French champagne. He escorted us into the Main Salon where a buffet of canapés and caviar was being served. When we were ready, we were escorted to our stateroom and minutes later our baggage arrived. At that point our yachting experience began and continued similarly for the next 7 days.

Sea Dream Yacht Club has thought of everything to provide for guests' total comfort such as the finest Belgian linens, private multi-jet shower massage, state of the art entertainment center, spacious staterooms, 24 hour room service, refreshment bar stocked with your choice of beverages. A Sea Dream Yacht is your private villa at sea.

Dining on the Yacht is unique. Leave your dress clothes at home and experience gourmet dining in a relaxed atmosphere either in the intimate indoor dining room or the casual outdoor dining area.

A Sea Dream vacation includes the use of water toys such as sunfish, kayaks, Zodiacs and waver runners. They also carry a supply of mountain bikes for exploring the many interesting ports of call. There are a few organized crew-led tours in some of the ports. The itineraries are slow paced for those who want to relax, enjoy and explore. While overnighting in Seville, our cruise director Richard, organized a trip to see a Flamenco Dance Show. Expect the unexpected on a Sea Dream vacation. 

If your pursuits are more of the indoor type, you might want to try a workout in the state of the art gym, relax in the sauna or steamroom or indulge yourself in the Mandara Spa. Read a good book in the cozy library or have a game of chess or backgammon. Computers are available if you just have to check your e-mail.

The vacation ended as stress-free as it began. We had a last leisurely breakfast, finished packing and was wished a good trip home by Captain Berg himself.

The Yacht fare includes all meals, snacks, cocktail parties, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar, use of all the water toys and activities with the crew, use of DVD's and CD's and all gratuities. Once you've experienced yachting , you may never want to cruise a big ship again. For more information on Sea Dream Yacht Club call us for more information.