SeaDream yachts began sailing in 1984 beneath the Sea Goddess banner and, after a couple changes of ownership and total renovation in 2002, they have evolved into the ultimate boutique ships. A voyage on one of these sleek megayachts is all about personal choice. Passengers enjoy an unstructured holiday at sea doing what they please, making it easy to imagine the diminutive vessel really is a private yacht. The ambience is refined and elegantly casual.

Fine dining and socializing with fellow passengers and the ships' captains and officers are preferred yachting pastimes. Other than a pianist in the tiny piano bar, a small casino, and movies in the main lounge, there's no roster of activities. The late-night place to be is the Top of the Yacht Bar, where passengers gather to share the day's experiences and kick their shoes off to dance on the teak deck. The captain hosts welcome aboard and farewell cocktail receptions in the Main Salon each week. Otherwise, you're on your own to do as you please.

A well-stocked library has books and movies for those who prefer quiet pursuits in the privacy of their staterooms. In addition, MP3 jukeboxes stocked with all types of music -- enough to play for a complete sailing without repeating a selection -- are available for personal use at no charge.

The weekly picnic on a private beach is considered by many passengers as their most memorable experience ashore during a SeaDream cruise. It begins with tropical drinks served during a wet landing from Zodiacs and is followed by SeaDream's signature champagne and caviar splash served to passengers from a surfboard bar in the crystal-clear water.

SeaDream yachts are often chartered for families and other affinity groups, but the company does not charter both ships at the same time. If your chosen sailing is closed to you because of a charter, the other yacht will be available.

Food

Every meal is prepared-to-order using the freshest seafood and U.S. Prime cuts of beef. Menus include vegetarian alternatives and Asian wellness cuisine for the health-conscious. Cheeses, petits fours, and chocolate truffles are offered after dinner with coffee, and the Grand Marnier soufflé is to die for. A weekly dining event, the Chef's Menu Gustation, features an interesting medley of dishes planned by the executive chef for their variety and flavor; portions are sensibly sized, enabling diners to enjoy each course.

Weather permitting, daily breakfast, lunch, and special dinners are served alfresco in the canopied Topsider Restaurant. Wines are chosen to complement each luncheon and dinner menu from shipboard cellars that stock 3,500 bottles on each ship. Sommeliers are more than happy to discuss the attributes of each vintage and steam off the labels if you want to search for them at home. Snacks, from caviar to popcorn, are always available and delivered wherever you might be when hunger strikes, although there is a charge for caviar. Room service is always available, but now just in your suite; you can dine anywhere you wish on deck.

Fitness & Recreation

Small gyms on each ship are equipped with treadmills, elliptical machines, recumbent bikes, and free weights. A personal trainer is available for consultation, and tai chi, yoga and aerobics classes are offered on deck as requested by passengers.

The yachts' unique SeaDream Spa facilities are also on the small side, yet offer a full menu of individualized, gentle Asian pampering treatments including massages, facials, and body wraps utilizing Eastern techniques. Hair and nail services are offered in the salon. SeaDream Spa is a member of the Thai Spa Association; products utilized for spa and salon services are among the best available from around the world. Massages are also available in cabanas ashore during the private beach party. It's recommended that passengers schedule time for use of the sauna, as its size limits the number of people who can comfortably use it at once.

The water-sports marina is popular with active passengers who want to water-ski, kayak, windsurf, or take a Jet Ski for a whirl while anchored in calm waters. Mountain bikes are available for use ashore, and a Segway people-mover can be rented for a unique spin around the pier. On board, the state-of-the-art golf simulator offers play on 30 worldwide championship golf courses.

Your Shipmates

SeaDream yachts attract energetic, affluent travelers of all ages, as well as groups. Passengers tend to be couples in their mid-40s up to retirees who enjoy the unstructured informality, subdued ambience, and utterly exclusive service.

These ships are not recommended for passengers confined to wheelchairs. Although there's one stateroom considered accessible, public facilities have thresholds and the elevator doesn't reach the uppermost deck. Tide conditions can cause the gangway to be steep when docked, and negotiating shore tenders would be impossible.

Dress Code

Leave the formal duds at home -- every night is yacht casual on SeaDream. Men wear open-collar shirts and slacks; sport coats are preferred but not required. A tie is never necessary. For women, sundresses, dressy casual skirts and sweaters, or pants and tops are the norm.

Junior Cruisers

SeaDream yachts are adult-oriented. High chairs and booster seats are available for the youngsters occasionally on board, but no children's facilities or organized activities are available. Parents are responsible for the behavior and entertainment of their children.

Service

Personal service and attention to detail are amazing; everyone will greet you by name within minutes of boarding. Passenger preferences are shared among staff members, who all work hard to assist one another. You seldom, if ever, have to repeat a request. Waiting in line for anything is unthinkable.

Tipping

Tipping is neither required nor expected.

Past Passengers

The SeaDream Club was designed to extend appreciation to past passengers, who are automatically enrolled in the club upon completion of one sailing. Members receive the SeaDreamer newsletter, which is published three times a year and features news and photos from the SeaDream yachts, profiles of the yachts' captains and other onboard personalities, profiles of various ports of call, news of special sailings, and other information of interest.

Other SeaDream Club benefits include advance notice of new itineraries, an annual club-members cruise, perks for introducing new passengers to SeaDream, a priority wait list on sold-out cruises, the ability to prereserve spa appointments and shore excursions online, 5% savings when booking a future cruise while on board, onboard club member cocktail party, and special savings in the ships' Boutique and Asian Spa.

SeaDream Yacht Club.
Phone: 305/856-5622 or 800/707-4911
www.seadreamyachtclub.com