Seadream offering cruise discounts



Seadream yachts are ready to set sail in Asia.



Seadream, that wonderful cruise line that took me on a memorable trip to the Virgin Islands last year, is teasing me again with great savings on their 2013 and 2014 voyages to Asia.

Until the end of February, Seadream is offering an additional 10 per cent discount on their already reduced Asian voyages.

“We are excited about our maiden season in Asia and want our guests to feel the same way,” said SeaDream’s President, Bob Lepisto. “We are jump-starting the year by offering exceptional prices to some of the most exotic destinations in the Far East. This limited time sale applies to all 18 unique voyages in the region. Now is the time to book.”

Seadream's Asian cruises aboard their luxury yachts, range from 7 to 15 days long, but most may be combined as back-to-back voyages for a lengthier holiday.

SeaDream II sails in Asia from November 2013 through April 2014 and itineraries include numerous exotic ports in several different countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), East Timor, Northern Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

With prices starting at $3,599 (U.S.) per person, you can spend next Christmas aboard SeaDream II in Malaysia - how cool is that!

Readers of this column get that extra 10 per cent discount by mentioning the promo code ASIA10 when booking.

For details contact your travel professional, visit www.SeaDream.com or phone (800) 707-4911.

Seadream really do make travel dreams come true!

We 'Splash' down on White Beach

The captain and crew of Seadream I enjoy a day at the beach with passengers.

JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – The final day of my Caribbean voyage aboard the luxury yacht Seadream 1 was the best.

The sleek yacht anchored in pretty White Bay – one of the tiniest of British Virgin Islands where only a few hundred people live – and all passengers were delivered by zodiac to the island’s snow white beach for a barbeque and a “Cavier and Champagne Splash.”

The “Splash” has become a tradition on Seadream’s Caribbean voyages and judging by all the smiles, it’s a hit.

Copious amounts of champagne and Russian caviar are consumed under a cloudless sky before passengers return to the ship and are treated a few hours later to a farewell dinner featuring eight courses.

While on Jost van Dyke – no relation to Dick – we explored some of the many bars that line the beach and came across one called Foxy’s, whose owner, Foxy Collwell, has become a local legend because people can’t stump him when it comes to knowing the song lyrics.

“Name the song, any song – Foxy knows the words,” Seadream I’s activity director Jeff tells us and sure enough, Foxy belts out the words to every song we toss his way.

Seadream sure knows how to save the best for last.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back in San Juan and our adventure will be over.

What I liked about this voyage:

- The all-inclusive luxury – didn’t pay for anything onboard;

- The food – every meal, including breakfast was first rate;

- The service – well done and no tipping allowed;

- The onboard spa – these therapists are among the best I’ve ever experienced;

- The sports marina at the back of the yacht each day which featured seadoos and snorkeling;

- The 24-hour in room dining

- The accommodation – all cabins were excellent.

Overall, I give the Seadream experience an “A+” rating.

Job well done – especially the last day!

Yacht club welcomes castaways

Bitter End Yacht Club features a great sailing school.

VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – Our day on this British Virgin Island did not start out as planned.

Inclement weather prevented the captain of our Seadream I yacht from anchoring on Virgin Gorda’s South Sound, where we were supposed to visit the Baths – giant boulders spit out of a volcano billions of years ago that have been shaped into dramatic forms by the sea and surf along the shoreline.

Instead, we anchored off the island’s splendid North Sound and spent the day frolicking in the gentle surf off the Bitter End Yacht Club.

The yacht club welcomes millionaire sailors from around the world who willing fork over $1,000 a night to stay in chic villas perched on hillsides overlooking a North Sound filled with expansive sailing boats and lots of history.

It was in the North Sound where real life pirates of the Caribbean like Blackbeard, Bluebeard and Sir Francis Drake hid out in secluded coves and launched attacks against ships headed back to Europe with New World riches.

Christopher Columbus first sighted the string this chain of islands on his second voyage to the New World in 1493. He called them Virgin Islands in honour of the 11,000 virgin followers of St. Ursula who was martyred in the 4th century.

Although we started the day out on a sour note, the Bitter End was a sweet surprise.

Island offers visitors a cold shoulder

Snooty St. Barts is more Paris than Caribbean.

ST. BARTS, FRENCH WEST INDIES – Sailed into snooty Gustavia, the capital of St Barts, today and couldn’t wait to get back on board the Seadream I.

From the deck of my sleek Seadream I yacht, the Caribbean capital held much promise - I was impressed with the cotton candy coloured homes that cling to the side of the steep volcanic hills Gustavia is built around.

However, once ashore, I was less impressed.

Tourists appear to be an irritant to the residents of this South of France wannabe, whose U-shaped harbour is filled with million-dollar yachts owned by top French politicians, actors and sports stars.

The real estate in St. Barts ranks among the highest in the world and the corner store here is Louis Vuitton.

The euro is the currency in St. Barts and although most visitors arriving on cruise ships carry U.S. dollars, shopkeepers here refuse to accept the Greenback.

The narrow streets of this French West Indies outpost are always clogged with odd-looking cars and littered with dog poo – maybe that’s why the residents’ noses are always turned up.

St. Barts is the coldest place in the Caribbean – in terms of offering visitors a warm welcome and I cut my visit short.

Back on board the Seadream I, a loud cheer goes up when cruise director Jeff announces our next port of call will be the British Virgin Island town of Virgin Gorda – seems I’m not the only one happy to be leaving St. Barts.

Seadream drops anchor in St. John

St. Johon is dotted with quaint coves and pristine beaches like this.

ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – After a night of fine wine, French-style cuisine, late-night dancing under the stars on the top deck aboard Seadream 1, we made landfall today on this tiny Caribbean treasure that was formed by a volcano billions of years ago.

The former slave island that was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World in 1493 is dominated by the Virgin Islands National Park, which occupies three-quarters of this lush island paradise.

I took a two-hour cab ride – cost $25 – around the island and the cabbie Earl was a fountain of information. He introduced me to the island’s delicate eco system, dominated by medicinal plants and rare species. Earl also took me to some of the island’s pristine beaches tucked away in the many coves that can be found in the national park.

The likeable Earl jokingly told me that Columbus called these the Virgin Islands because “the beautiful native women that were here to greet him refused to give him a date.”

Everyone on this island is just like Earl –friendly and warm to strangers.

St. John, the neighbour to the much better known St. Thomas, which is just a short ferry ride away, is a place where Hollywood types like Alan Alda, Harrison Ford and Mel Brooks like to hang out.

I’ll be writing much more about St. John at www.travelife.ca very soon so stay tuned.

Next stop on my Seadream 1 yachting adventure: St. Barths.