SeaDream hints at new vessel

Boutique yachting operator SeaDream have flagged future expansion plans that would see its existing fleet rise from two to three, but its president has said there is no timeline for the new vessel.

Meeting with trade press in Sydney yesterday, SeaDream president Bob Lepisto said that a third vessel was part of forward planning, but that there was no imminent announcement.

“That’s a conversation for another day. Ultimately the decision rests with the company owner.”

SeaDream’s owner and founder is Norwegian Atle Brynestad, who also founded Seabourn Cruise Line.

Although stressing that it was largely speculation at this point, Lepisto told journalists that a third vessel would differ from the company’s two existing ships, SeaDream I and II, which both have 56 double suites and a staff of 95.

“Any new-build vessel for SeaDream would have expedition capabilities and would be larger, accommodating something in the order of 250 guests,” Lepisto said.

Asked if it would change the existing five-star, casual yachting experience, Lepisto said that would not be the case.

“A new vessel would be larger in all likelihood and there would not be the same crew to guest ratio [as currently exists on SeaDream I and II] but the experience would remain service oriented, as always,” he said.

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Elsewhere, Lepisto lauded the local market and loyal travel agents for their support of the brand, saying that around 10% of SeaDream’s guests for Mediterranean summer cruises are Australians.

He also was enthusiastic about the company’s Melbourne and Sydney roadshows, which had brought together past guests to share their experiences. “Word of mouth is crucial for us and our past guests are our biggest salespeople,” he said.

SeaDream’s vessels cruise the Mediterranean and Caribbean, making trans-Atlantic voyages as seasons dictate. Additionally, the company has launched eight wine voyages for both 2015 and 2016, which feature an onboard winemaker, wine tastings and a wine pairing dinner.

“It’s been driven by our observation of how into wine our guests tend to be,” Lepisto said.

Marketing director Julie Denovan also added that the company is making 10 visits to the Gallipoli Peninsula in 2015, with five hour land excursions available for interested guests.

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