2009 Itineraries Revealed

In spite of the financial meltdown, a global credit crunch and the U.S. election year, SeaDream Yacht Club continues to sell well with affluent consumers and has published an update of 2009’s Caribbean winter and European summer itineraries for those travelers who are planning ahead.

Commenting on the economic implosion, Larry Pimentel, President, CEO and Co-Owner of award-winning SeaDream Yacht Club, stated “Bookings for 2008 continue to sell briskly at good yields and 2009 shows a strength that belies the economic headlines.”

Turning to itineraries for next year he said “As in previous years, 2009 will find our small, sleek, 50-couple yachts sailing in the Caribbean in the winter months and European waters in the summer. They will call not only at vibrant port cities (for pre- and post-voyage visits), but at small and exclusive seaside towns and villages where the big passenger ships can’t go.

“Calling at small yachting ports is a specialty of ours,” Pimentel said.

In the Caribbean from January through April of 2009, the two SeaDream mega- yachts will sail in the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico’s Virgin Islands, French West Indies, Netherlands Antilles and the Windward and Leeward Islands. Embarkation and debarkation ports include convenient and accessible air gateways—San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Maarten and Miami on a westbound transatlantic crossing.

In Europe from May through October 2009, SeaDream I and II will sail in the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea, up into Croatia and even down to Tunisia. Embarkation ports include Barcelona, Seville, Tenerife, Lisbon, Nice, Monte Carlo, Rome, Venice, Athens and Dubrovnik.

SeaDream will also call on the ports of Miami, Palm Beach and Key West in 2009.

New ports in 2009 for SeaDream’s Caribbean sailings are: Dewey, Culebra (Puerto Rico’s Virgin Islands); Honeymoon Beach and Water Island (U.S. Virgin Islands); Cooper Island (British Virgin Islands); Coconut Grove, Nevis, Samana (Dominican Republic) and Deshaies (Guadeloupe). Many Caribbean port calls include “overnights” as at chic St. Barts where SeaDream guests can enjoy the lively restaurant and nightlife scene.

SeaDream is also offering more active land options in the Caribbean. Examples are bone fishing off Anegada, rainforest hikes on Nevis, in addition to kayaking, biking, deep water fishing, small catamaran racing, beach horseback riding, golf (at Anguilla’s new upscale golf course) and swimming in a bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico’s Virgin Islands. .

New ports for 2009 for SeaDream’s European sailings are: Formentera (Spain); Lipari, St. Margherita, Trieste (Italy): Le Lavandou, Antibes, Port Vendres, Sete, Bandol and Menton (France); Piran (Slovenia); Vis (Croatia); La Goulette, Tunis (Tunisia); Katakolon, Elafonisos, Aigina, Chania, Crete (Greece);and Ponta Delgada (the Azores).

The European schedule includes more calls at what has been termed the “new” Mykonos—Naousa village on the Greek island of Paros. There’s also the possibility of combining the Greek Islands with the Croatian coast on voyages between Venice and Athens.

All details from January through December 2009 for SeaDream’s award-winning mega yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II may be found on its website—www.seadream.com.

Pimentel added: “Yes, the worldwide economy is sobering for all. Yet, intelligent marketers of all kinds of luxury travel products should not give way to panic but rather offer highly measurable value to those consumers who refuse to hit the panic button.”

Official Press Release SeaDream Yacht Club dated 9th October 2008.

SeaDream Steps For Charity

What do happy voyagers do on a SeaDream Yacht Club transatlantic passage?

Well, recently when the twin mega-yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II both headed eastward from the Caribbean to Europe for their regular summer seasons, guests aboard enjoyed a wide range of pleasures. They wined and dined superbly; slept soundly at night, partook of stimulating conversation with their sailing mates, read best-sellers, snoozed in the afternoon shade—and took long and invigorating walks.

Long walks? Yes, walks as long as 26 miles, or 416 laps around the SeaDream twins’ outdoor Deck Six. Here’s the math: 16 laps around Deck Six equals one mile.

What was that all about? The long walks turned out to be the brilliant idea of James Cabello, Club and Activities Director on SeaDream II, and his counterpart Richard Jones on SeaDream I.

Over the past few years on previous Atlantic crossings guests asked Cabello and Jones to lead them in walks around the yacht. They recalled other sailings when the activities directors led them on walks ashore to see the local sights and to get some exercise. The difference on the Atlantic crossing was that the local sights would be blue sky, blue water with occasional glimpses of flying fish, porpoises, dolphin and maybe a freighter on the horizon.

The two communicated and agreed that the deck walks were not only a good idea but that they needed some sort of “cause” to round out the idea.

Just a few weeks earlier a charity event for the non-profit Children’s Bereavement Center of Miami was held aboard SeaDream II in the Caribbean just prior to her transatlantic deployment. It was at that time that the “Steps for Charity” idea developed “legs” so to speak.

Mindy Cassel, Executive Director of CBC takes up the story: “While we were enjoying ourselves on SeaDream II we showed our guests a short film about a father and daughter who attended CBC following a tragic loss in their family. The crew was so touched by the work we are doing they decided to become our ambassadors and the idea for “Steps for Charity” was born.”

Soon, SeaDream’s Miami office picked up the philanthropic cause. As it happens, CBC is a long favored charity of co-owners of Larry Pimentel, SeaDream President and CEO, and Atle Brynestad, Chairman—both of whom have children who lost a parent. Larry Pimentel serves on the CBC Executive Board.
The idea was that walkers on the Atlantic crossings aboard both yachts were invited to contribute whatever they chose and the resultant funds would go to the CBC. SeaDream management stepped in and said it would match those guest walkers’ donations thereby doubling the figure.

To cap it off, it was agreed that for each walker who reached 26 miles circling Deck Six, SeaDream would add another $26—a double incentive; more exercise and more money for CBC.

By the time SeaDream I and II had reached their first European ports recently SeaDream I and II reported that more than 35 guests and crew on both yachts had participated—many of whom had walked the suggested 26 miles for the SeaDream bonus.

After the management matching funds the Children’s Bereavement Center received $10,000.00

Sometimes a great notion—in this case “Steps for Charity” as the walks were called—leads to a good effort for a good cause.

Official Press Release SeaDream Yacht Club dated 10th June 2008.

SeaDream Yacht Club Wins German Cruise Award

SeaDream Yacht Club, operator of the elite mega yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II, has been named “Best Cruise Line for Service” at ITB, the world’s largest “tourism fair” which is held each year in Berlin. The award for the year 2008 was sponsored by the German-speaking market’s top cruise guidebook, Kreuzfahrt Guide.

A jury of seven top German travel journalists supplemented by the guidebook’s authors gave the top service award to SeaDream.

Accepting the award on the part of SeaDream was Bob Lepisto, the line’s Senior Vice President Worldwide Sales and Marketing, who said:

“We are especially delighted to accept this great accolade for two compelling reasons. First, at SeaDream service to our guests is always uppermost in our minds. We believe that the enjoyment of the travel experience begins and ends with guest service. So this is a corroboration of what our dedicated staff—both aboard our twin yachts and ashore—strive for on a daily basis. Second, this honor is highly important to us because it comes from the German marketplace which constantly increases in importance for us.”

SeaDream Yacht Club is the recipient of many awards and accolades from authoritative travel organizations and publications in North America, UK Australia and elsewhere.

Official Press Release (abridged) SeaDream Yacht Club dated 18 March 2008.

SeaDream Sets Speakers Program for November Transatlantic Voyages

SeaDream Yacht Club, operator of the twin, ultra-luxury, mega yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II, will offer guests on its upcoming transatlantic westbound voyages a high- profile speakers’ program as a bonus to the joys of blue water sailing.

The lecture programs will feature prominent speakers on World Affairs, Astronomy, Maritime History and People Profiling/Character Analysis.

The transatlantic sailings are:

• SeaDream I, Voyage #1845, Tenerife-Antigua, 11 days, November 1-12. Cost is from $3,099. Price is based on double occupancy of a SeaDream Yacht Club stateroom. Modest government, port, document issuance, fuel surcharge and handling and service fees of $528 per person are extra. Rates are also available for solo travelers occupying a stateroom and for and third persons in a stateroom. Available.

• SeaDream II, Voyage #2843, Tenerife-Miami, 11 days, November 13-24. Cost is from $2,999. The same fee and rate stipulations apply.

The Transatlantic Speakers for SeaDream I, Voyage #1843 are:

• Bruce Gronich—Professor Gronich is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and later lectured there. Following his Army service he became a professor at University of Texas and taught both physical science and Astronomy. An active lecturer, Professor Gronich’s series on Astronomy have always been well-attended by students as well as by adults fascinated by the heavens.

• Alice Weiser—A leading expert on People Profiling and Character Analysis, Alice Weiser has had a lengthy career as a consultant to U.S. Government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. A specialty is advising on jury selection. Her track record shows that attorneys who engage here have won more than 90- percent of their cases. Her lectures are filled with anecdotes about her work and make use of audience participation.

The Transatlantic speakers for SeaDream II, Voyage #2843 are:

• Irving R. Levine—Known widely as one of the most renowned and respected figures in American journalism, Irving r. Levine served as an NBC News correspondent for 45 years, pioneering coverage of economic news on TV. He was the first American TV correspondent granted permission to broadcast from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. An author, academic and popular lecturer, he regularly is a commentator on PBS-TV’s “A Nightly Business Report.”

• Anthony Nicholas—An acclaimed TV and radio guest, writer and reviewer, Anthony Nicholas has made a lifetime study of what he terms “The Golden Age of Ocean Travel.” This love affair with maritime history began when he was ten and increased over the years until now when he is one of the world’s leading authorities on this colorful seagoing history.

• Rafael Vargas—A 30-year career U.S. Army officer, has led Vargas to be a well-known expert of European affairs. He retired as a Colonel after spending 16 years overseas culminating at NATO headquarters in Brussels where he shed his uniform to assume the role of diplomat. As chief of the Situation Center he was responsible for NATO crisis management throughout the world. His career also includes a five year teaching stint at the University of Nevada.
 
SeaDream does not regularly offer a lecture program on its yacht-like sailings. Its guests have ample opportunity to entertain themselves with the company’s noted water sports program, unique shore excursions at ports of call and other activities designed for well-traveled, active guests. It is offering its transatlantic travelers this series of compelling speakers as a diversion from those lazy days at sea that attract travelers to these “blue-water” sailings.

“We believe the combination of mental tranquility afforded by days at sea and the stimulation of interaction with speakers on topical subjects will provide our guests on this transatlantic sailing with the best of all possible worlds,” said Larry Pimentel, SeaDream’s President and CEO.

SeaDream fares include all meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar, use of the water toys and gratuities. Air transportation and ground transportation to and from the SeaDream yacht is not included. Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change with out notice.

Official Press Release (abridged) SeaDream Yacht Club dated 17 March 2008.

SeaDream Yacht Club Goes Pop with New CD

SeaDream Yacht Club has created its own music CD to invoke the spirit of a SeaDream seagoing holiday with Pop, Rock, Jazz, Soul, R & B, and Bossa Nova.

The album, called Dream, of course, features an array of young, modern Grammy award-winning and Grammy nominated performing artists, Norah Jones, Bebel Gilberto, Marc Broussard, Samantha James, Erin Bode and James Hunter and others.

The Dream music project was spearheaded by Adrienne d’Annunzio, Manager of the SeaDream Club and Charity Programs, and of the upscale operator’s onboard Boutique program.

Commenting on the CD, SeaDream President & CEO Larry Pimentel said “Adrienne is a triple threat SeaDreamer. She’s added a third title to her job responsibilities, we now call her Impresario.

“To create the Dream CD Adrienne worked with Rock River Music, an industry leader in branded music services,” Pimentel said.

Impresario Adrienne said “the album is stylish, soothing blissful, invigorating and fun, just like a SeaDream holiday.
“As you listen to these 12 tracks you can feel the sands of St. Barts between your toes, see Capri on the horizon, smell the fresh sea air and feel the gentle motion of your SeaDream yacht sailing for St. Tropez. Our Dream CD invokes that kind of mood.”

“SeaDream, along with companies like GAP, Starbucks, W Hotels and Pottery Barn are among the many that have found music inspires, motivates and connects you with your audience. We believe music helps to define the SeaDream brand and casual lifestyle,” Pimentel added.

All staterooms aboard SeaDream’s twin mega-yacht cruisers are equipped with state-of-the-art technology including a CD player.

Official Press Release (abridged) SeaDream Yacht Club dated 14 February 2008.

Berlitz Guide to Cruising, by Doug Ward, has named its top ships for 2007

1. Europa
2. Silver Cloud
3. SeaDream II
4. Silver Wind
5. SeaDream I
6. Queen Mary 2 (Grill Class)
7. Seabourn Legend
8. Sea Cloud II
9. Seabourn Pride
10. Sea Cloud
11. Seabourn Spirit
12. Crystal Serenity
13. Silver Shadow
14. Crystal Symphony
15. Silver Whisper
16. Seven Seas Mariner
17. Hanseatic
18. Seven Seas Voyager