Spend long days of sunshine lounging on a Balinese bed with an elevated view of the sea or maybe indulge in a private outdoor couples massage. The bartender knows your name and what you like to drink; the waiter surprises you with your favorite desert. Along the French Riviera, anchor alongside the lavish yachts of jet-setters and millionaires. In the Caribbean, celebrate true yachting lifestyle with champagne and caviar while standing in crystal clear water, followed by a gourmet barbeque served on bone china on the beach. Welcome to the everyday way of life of SeaDream Yacht Club where the elite experience is yachting, not cruising.

SeaDream operates two identical luxury mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II. The ambiance is casual perfection, cloaked in style and quality. Each yacht carries a maximum of 112 guests and a staff of 95 to attend to their every desire. With almost one staff for every guest, the attention to detail is phenomenal. With spacious decks to stroll and intimate spaces to lounge, it feels like your own private yacht.

Of course, on your own private yacht, expertly planned menus with creative cuisine made from the freshest local ingredients would be prepared by an executive chef extraordinaire – and that’s exactly what you get on SeaDream. From Sunriser’s breakfast to poolside sandwiches to evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to le Menu de Degustation, the 5-star cuisine aboard SeaDream is fit for the most sophisticated tastes. But even with meals at the highest levels of quality and service, the atmosphere is all casual luxury and no ties are expected.

The yachting lifestyle also requires the proper water toys and SeaDream has them all, accessible from the onboard retractable marina! Water ski, ride the banana boat or go tubing for a splash; snorkel, swim or try the SUP (stand up paddleboard) and not make a ripple. Marina staff will assist you in taking out a glass bottom boat, Laser sailboats or jet skis (where legal to operate) right from the onboard water sports marina. SeaDream’s water toys and marina are yet another way yachting differs from larger ship cruising.

To top off the exclusive atmosphere of SeaDream, you don’t have to pay a tab for every meal, drink or activity. Yachting with SeaDream includes all gourmet meals, 24-hour room service, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar and very importantly, gratuities. You are invited to tag along with the crew on shore-side casual activities like shopping with the chef, mountain biking, hiking or kayaking with no excursion fees. Laptop computers and binoculars are available to use on board and the library has an extensive collection of books, music CDs and DVD movies. Movies are shown in the Main Salon or under the stars and a small but well-equipped fitness center is at your disposal.

So next time the Joneses brag about their latest cruise, you can oh-so-casually mention that you’ll be yachting the Costa del Sol this summer – or maybe the Greek Isles. It will depend on whether you’re in the mood for paella or moussaka. Or maybe you’ll just knock around the Virgin Islands for a while in the winter and watch the other yachts come and go while you soak up the sun. Whatever your choice, you know you’ll be splendidly spoiled and the Joneses will be jealous. After all, this is yachting, not cruising. 

To find out more about SeaDream Yacht Club itineraries, contact the cruise advisors at Covington Travel.