They keep coming back, year after year, and I quickly discovered why.
Fiercely loyal, customers of SeaDream Yacht Club are keeping a secret. I sailed aboard the SeaDream I, the former Seabourn Sea Goddess I, in September and quickly took a liking to this hidden gem. But it's time that the secret comes out.
SeaDream isn't about flashy swimming pools, theater shows or snazzy amenities; it is about yachting, not cruising, as the company tag line says. And even though the SeaDream I has a new golf simulator and an inflatable waterslide that dangles off the edge of the ship, those are the extent of its headliner amenities.
Instead, the line has focused on service and cuisine plus the romance of old-fashioned yacht life.
SeaDream said that between 70% and 80% of the clientele are repeat, most so eager to return for the smaller ports and top-tier service that they book their next sailing onboard.
A cabin on the lowest passenger deck. Photo Credit: Ramsey Qubein
Size matters
After boarding in Civitavecchia, near Rome, for my Italian coastal sailing, the nautical design elements of this older ship immediately stood out. The small pool and whirlpool in the aft are more about getting a little refreshment than exercise. The design of the lounge and dining room are almost a vintage throwback. This look may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the laid-back and experienced crowd on my cruise didn't seem to mind.
The ship's age means that none of the cabins have a balcony (just large windows or portholes), but the uncrowded decks are just a few steps away. The bathroom was a tight squeeze, but the strong shower pressure and organic toiletries -- the owner's daughter created them -- made up for it.
The yacht's size enables it to sail into smaller ports, and I mean really small. Many lines tout this capability, but the SeaDream I ventured into ports like Santa Margherita Ligure and Porto Santo Stefano that were new to me and where often ours was the only ship calling.
I spent my days using the lightning-fast Starlink WiFi before exploring each port on my own for a few hours. But land excursions are creative and vary in length; a popular one involves guests shopping with the chef in local markets to scour for the freshest ingredients that he would then use to make fresh pesto, salads and other dishes back on the ship.
The ship's aft pool deck. This is where the inflatable slide is sometimes launched. Photo Credit: Ramsey Qubein
There was also all-day, guided visits to Cinque Terre for those who wanted to visit all five towns, but I liked how in many ports, there was a free shuttle that would take you around should you not want to book a tour. SeaDream offered this in Sorrento to go from the port to the top of the hill where the town is and in Santa Margherita Ligure to go from there to Portofino. The shuttles run every 15 minutes and are free.
Back onboard, the piano lounge would have its after-dinner regulars, and even the one-table casino nook had some risk-takers.
On the fourth floor, there is a recently expanded gym with a view as well as a spa and beauty salon.
Alfresco dining with a view. Photo Credit: Ramsey Qubein
It's the people (and the food)
The common thread among fellow passengers was how exceptional the crew is. Even with only a max capacity of 112 passengers, the nearly 1:1 crew-to-passenger ratio means they can greet everyone by name without fail. They remembered how guests take their coffee, which wine they preferred and where they'd like to sit.
The a la carte menu choices on this all-inclusive line are always changing, and the buffet breakfast and lunch options do not disappoint. It would take me several paragraphs to describe the array of vegetables, dips, tapenades, flavored olive oils and salts (many from the local ports) to choose from at the salad bar.
Come evening, most dinners were served in an elegant dining room with starched white linens and elegant china, even though there is no formal dress code. When weather allows, alfresco dining is also a treat.
I still dream of the al dente trofie al pesto, the chef's specialty, using basil and pine nuts sourced onshore -- I ordered it twice on the cruise. The vegan and vegetarian selections were impressive, thanks to the line's vegan owner.
The salad bar at the ship's Topside restaurant. Photo Credit: Ramsey Qubein
It was the details that really stood out, though. Plates and soup bowls were heated before serving, and if a guest's cloth napkin fell to the floor, a crew member would instantly replace it.
Most days, passengers spent time lounging on daybeds or the hammock on the top deck or whizzing down the inflatable slide to the sea. There is also a fleet of bikes and personal watercraft for those seeking adventure.
Now home, the real adventure for me is navigating the return to normalcy, with no staff to address me by name or leave behind nightly gifts like the pair of monogrammed pajamas I received. But, then again, there is always SeaDream II to experience.