review of Seadream II July 31

[luvtojump]

My husband and I just returned from 7 days in the mediterranean on SeaDream II. We arrived 2 days early and stayed in Rome at the Westin Excelsior. Walked around the city for hours each day and saw more history than we ever imagined.

 

Arrived at the pier in Citavecchia on Saturday at 2:30PM. Check in was a breeze. We were greeted by Captain Dahl, Jeffrey the cruise director and a glass of champagne. We were then escorted to our cabin by our steward Cecil. Everything is laid out very well in the cabin. Small but did not seem overly tiny. Bathroom has one sink with vanity and a shower. Marble lined.

Bathroom was small but considering it was a yacht we did not expect more.

 

As we waited for our luggage we made our way around the yacht. Found the spa (made massage appts.) and the gym. Both were very nice. Library is lovely with two computer stations. The salon is quite large and comfy. We ended up at the top of the yacht bar for some lunch and a cocktail.

 

After an hour our luggage was waiting in our stateroom. We unpacked and were ready for our muster drill at 5:30. Very short and sweet.

Relaxed, explored some more and socialized with other guests. Did not make it to dinner until 9:30.

 

Dinners were served in the inside dining room or outside each evening from 8-10PM. Breakfasts and lunches were all outside. Meals were fantastic. Nice variety and excellent presentation and quality. The motto for the waiters and staff is "anything is possible". Everyone on that yacht seemed to enjoy their job and it was evident by their committment to service.

 

The ports were all very interesting and different. We tendered at most of them. Tendering was a breeze and there was next to no waiting. The captain was always available and very informative. Some of our most memorable moments were on the bridge either early morning or late evening.

 

The balinese sunbeds were lovely. The drop down marina was fun. We jet skiied, banana boated and kayaked at three of our ports. Water skiing and snorkeling were also available.

 

Jeff the cruise director often took passengers hiking and/or running. There was one small group(maybe 15 or so) on our cruise and after Jeff got everyone on their perspective tours, he was finding creative things for others to do. At no time did we feel that the group "overpowered" the yacht.

 

The best part of our cruise???? probaby SeaDream's service if I had to pick just one thing. Food, convenience of having your own private yacht and personalization would be a close second. Did I mention that almost every meal is served ocean front? Cool breeze and star lined sky?? Best table in the house every night!

 

Disembarkation is at your leisure. They only ask that everyone be off the ship by 10AM. We spent one extra day in Nice before coming home. Stayed at Palais de la Mediterranee. Very nice hotel and service. Located right on the promenade.

 

We plan on sailing SeaDream again. It may be hard to go back to the larger cruise lines now.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions.

 

Happy sailing (or yachting).

 

Lisa

[DisneyJen]

Hi Lisa!

 

Thanks for sharing! We are sailing on SD II in the Caribbean the first week in December! I can hardly wait:D

 

What other cruise lines have you been on and how does SD rate against those? Especially with regard to the staterooms.

 

Were breakfast and lunches all buffets? What sorts of items did you find for those meals?

 

Reading about other experiences seems to make the wait go a little faster:p so anything you would like to share would be greatly appreciated!

[luvtojump]

Disney Jen,

 

I have been on larger lines primarily. Celebrity, RCCL, Cunard. We have a teenage son (14) and those lines are more suited to our family. We would definitely take him on SeaDream in a few years. There is no fair comparison. Yachting is a completely different category.

 

Breakfast and lunch both had cold buffets available. Menus offered hot entrees and daily specials in addition to the cold buffets. The food was incredible and service a "10". Very rarely did I ever walk back to my table with my plate from the cold buffet. The waiters were waiting to carry everything for me.

 

In response to your stateroom question. When we travel with our son, we like to have more room and reserve suites. SeaDream's staterooms are all the same. We found them to be adequate in space and above adequate in quality...ie. flat screened tv's, quality of linens etc.

 

It sounds as if you are worried about your decision. Please don't be. You will have the time of your life and be treated like a queen. Trust me..

 

Lisa

[ctbjr1309]

Thanks for the fine report, Luvtojump. That should tide me over until our SD II cruise next month.

 

I do have a couple of questions, if you don't mind. Did you have the option every night to have dinner outdoors on deck? I couldn't really tell from your report. On most of our other SD cruises, dinner has been served either in the dining room or on deck depending on the weather, port, etc. I don't recall dining on deck more than a couple of nights during any particular week.

 

Also, Jeffrey the Activities Director is a new name to me. Is he new to SD? Do you know how long he has been with SD and where he came from? Did you hear any discussion about Richard, the long time SD II Activities Director? Last I heard he had been ill but had been expected back to work this Spring.

 

Who was the Maitre 'd? Hopefully it was Christophe. He's great.

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

DisneyJen,

 

I'm glad to hear that you're looking forward to your cruise. As I told you a few months ago when you were considering booking, you'll love it. It's a can't miss situation.

[luvtojump]

ctbjr,

 

I am happy for you to be cruising on SeaDream II next month.

 

Dinners were served topside 3 nights and inside 4 nights. We did see them setting a nice romantic table for 2 outside on the last night. (the rest of us ate inside) I assume they would like some advance notice if you want to do this. We actually kicked ourselves for not thinking of it.

 

Christophe was the Maitre 'd. Yes, he was super.

 

Jeffrey has been with SeaDream for a while. I can't remember exactly how long. He came with a list of other cruise lines he had previously worked for. Really nice guy with lots of energy and in great shape. Just ask my husband who went out for a run with him and needed traction for two days after... just kidding.

 

I did not hear any talk about Richard.

 

I hope this helps to tide you over to your cruise.

 

Lisa

[travelchik]

thanks for the review. we sailed on seadream back in jan in the carribbean and LOVED it. one of our best trips ever.

 

I could never go back to one of the large cruise lines after that food and service.

 

Just go and I can assure you, you will have a great time.

[ctbjr1309]

luvtojump,

 

Thanks for the reply and the info. I see that Jeffrey will be AD on our cruise too so I guess I can fill in the blanks when I meet him. Glad to see also that Christophe will be there as well.

 

Thanks again.

[emckeeve]

Just reading your review makes me homesick for another SeaDream cruise. We've done both the Med and the Caribbean. Thanks for the memories.

[luvtojump]

emckeeve,

 

Glad to rekindle memories from previous SeaDream experiences.

 

Could you compare the cruises with regards to itineraries, ports and shore excursions, etc.? We are considering cruising with them in the caribbean and also their new itins in Cancun. This would help our decision.

 

Thank you in advance,

 

Lisa

[emckeeve]

We loved the Caribbean itinerary we took in Dec. 2002. The highlights are St. John and the British Virgin Islands. We're not that interested in the new Western Caribbean itineraries. Did Nice to Nice in the Med and will probably do Italy and/or Greece next. Can't wait.

[Wannacruise2]

Hi Lisa,

 

I am a travel writer in Bermuda and I am looking for testimonial from someone who has been on a Sea Dream excursion. Would you be willin to let me interview you via email? If so, please contact me at czuill@royalgazette.bm

 

Thanks!

 

 

My husband and I just returned from 7 days in the mediterranean on SeaDream II. We arrived 2 days early and stayed in Rome at the Westin Excelsior. Walked around the city for hours each day and saw more history than we ever imagined.

 

Arrived at the pier in Citavecchia on Saturday at 2:30PM. Check in was a breeze. We were greeted by Captain Dahl, Jeffrey the cruise director and a glass of champagne. We were then escorted to our cabin by our steward Cecil. Everything is laid out very well in the cabin. Small but did not seem overly tiny. Bathroom has one sink with vanity and a shower. Marble lined.

Bathroom was small but considering it was a yacht we did not expect more.

 

As we waited for our luggage we made our way around the yacht. Found the spa (made massage appts.) and the gym. Both were very nice. Library is lovely with two computer stations. The salon is quite large and comfy. We ended up at the top of the yacht bar for some lunch and a cocktail.

 

After an hour our luggage was waiting in our stateroom. We unpacked and were ready for our muster drill at 5:30. Very short and sweet.

Relaxed, explored some more and socialized with other guests. Did not make it to dinner until 9:30.

 

Dinners were served in the inside dining room or outside each evening from 8-10PM. Breakfasts and lunches were all outside. Meals were fantastic. Nice variety and excellent presentation and quality. The motto for the waiters and staff is "anything is possible". Everyone on that yacht seemed to enjoy their job and it was evident by their committment to service.

 

The ports were all very interesting and different. We tendered at most of them. Tendering was a breeze and there was next to no waiting. The captain was always available and very informative. Some of our most memorable moments were on the bridge either early morning or late evening.

 

The balinese sunbeds were lovely. The drop down marina was fun. We jet skiied, banana boated and kayaked at three of our ports. Water skiing and snorkeling were also available.

 

Jeff the cruise director often took passengers hiking and/or running. There was one small group(maybe 15 or so) on our cruise and after Jeff got everyone on their perspective tours, he was finding creative things for others to do. At no time did we feel that the group "overpowered" the yacht.

 

The best part of our cruise???? probaby SeaDream's service if I had to pick just one thing. Food, convenience of having your own private yacht and personalization would be a close second. Did I mention that almost every meal is served ocean front? Cool breeze and star lined sky?? Best table in the house every night!

 

Disembarkation is at your leisure. They only ask that everyone be off the ship by 10AM. We spent one extra day in Nice before coming home. Stayed at Palais de la Mediterranee. Very nice hotel and service. Located right on the promenade.

 

We plan on sailing SeaDream again. It may be hard to go back to the larger cruise lines now.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions.

 

Happy sailing (or yachting).

 

Lisa

[melbcruise]

We're considering this line. Do men wear jackets at dinner?? What's the dress code??

[LaPaloma]

The dress code is elegant casual. Yes, a lot of the men wear jackets...some opt not too. It is my opionion when in a nice dining room, with 5* dining and a staff that is top notch....you will want to look your best! It just goes with the cuisine and atmosphere!