IYKYK: Why I'm all about yachting, not cruising

AAA projects 19 million Americans will take a cruise in 2025, a 4.5% increase from 2024. These record-breaking figures highlight the ever-growing popularity of travel adventures at sea.

But prior to last year, I was not part of the cruising crowd. I was wary that the food, service and accommodations of the big-box cruise lines wouldn’t be my cup of tea. I prefer independent boutique properties to large business hotels, small cafes to large coffee shops and solo travel to group tours.

However, my perspective about vacationing at sea completely shifted after my experience with SeaDream Yacht Club. It was pure bliss. 

First impressions

I was lucky enough to sail the Caribbean aboard SeaDream II (one of two twin yacht vessels) for a week in November. I took my mom, who is a great travel companion. We were greeted on board with a glass of champagne, cold rosemary-scented hand towels and a selection of light bites. Captain Charles (who later became my hiking buddy) and a few other friendly staff members, Christophe, Nicola and Garrett, shook our hands and greeted us by our first names. “How did they know our names already?” I wondered. We sat down in the lounge and two of the spa therapists spoiled us with head and shoulder massages. We were instantly relaxed and giddy for what was to come.

We made our way to our stateroom, which was spacious, impeccably clean and chicly decorated with a calming color palette. It featured a large window to look out at the sea, a kitchenette with luxury glassware and a separate sitting area with a bottle of champagne waiting for us. Our lovely stateroom attendant, Kristine, came to introduce herself, with an infectiously warm smile. Every night, we returned to our quarters to find unique turndown gifts, my favorite being personalized pajamas with our names stitched on them. What a treat.

Intimate, VIP service

Throughout my time onboard, it felt like I was on my own intimate luxury yacht with a few new friends. There were only 65 people onboard (the boutique vessel can accommodate up to 112 people max). This is a large contrast to the cruises that accommodate thousands of passengers. We met couples, groups celebrating a birthday, multigenerational families, ladies traveling for a girls’ trip and even solo travelers on board. I was on a mother-daughter trip, but I would come back with my boyfriend or for a girls’ trip.

The service was top-tier, better than service I’ve experienced at some 5-star St. Regis and Four Seasons hotel properties. The staff-to-cruiser ratio is 1:1 and the crew members went out of their way to make sure our needs were met. Someone was always nearby to take my cocktail order. After each excursion, we were greeted with refreshing juices and spa towels. The staff even shined our sunglasses and sprayed our faces with a refreshing Evian facial mist. The hospitality from the crew made an indelible mark; each of the staff members, bartenders, servers and attendants went above and beyond.

5-star fare

Now let’s talk about the cuisine. I am a self-proclaimed foodie, a lover of Michelin star restaurants and farm-to-table fare. I've planned trips to places like Mexico City and Napa, because I scored a reservation at a top restaurant. So I came in to my SeaDream cruise with high hopes, but unsure what to expect.

The food selections on SeaDream were completely out of this world, with an extensive a la carte menu that changed every day (different for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Some of my favorites were lobster tail, truffle pasta, shrimp pad thai, fresh fish, lamb lollipops, filet mignon and watermelon feta salad. There was something for everyone, with a huge variety of healthy plant-based options—which I appreciated. They also catered easily to my gluten-free mom.

I was particularly shocked at how there were no upcharges for specific dishes or premium cocktails—everything was built in the price, including caviar, fancy champagne and crab legs. The dishes were beautifully plated and the portions were not wasteful so you could try multiple gourmet courses in one sitting. Chef Tomascz, hailing from Poland, was so kind and put such thought, effort and art into his menus. When we docked in St. Barts, we saw him bringing back fresh herbs, vegetables and specialty cheeses for that night’s dinner.

Whenever the weather permitted, we dined alfresco, enjoying the open air. The dessert options were also divine (I'm still thinking about the pistachio blondies and crème brulée). And the drinks were just as lovely as the food. Nemanja, a lovely bartender who treated us like family, made us various craft cocktails. I treated myself to spicy margaritas with fresh jalapeno, espresso martinis, frozen piña coladas and rum punch. At dinner, a sommelier would present that night’s options for wine, which were always fantastic. 

We met Sarah, a veteran cruiser, who, along with her husband, loved SeaDream so much that they sailed on 10 voyages with them. She told us, “The chef/bartenders will make you literally anything you want. They went and got lychee for me because I requested a lychee martini.” And she was right! Another guest, Antony, requested a lobster pizza and they made it for him without any hesitation. Most mornings, my mom ordered coffee and a fruit plate to the room, which was always delivered quickly.

A Caribbean dream

Our Caribbean cruise departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and sailed to Jost Van Dyke; Anguilla; St. Bart’s; Terre-De-Haut; Nevis; St. Eustatius; and Antigua. Because the vessel is so small, we had access to more secluded beaches and private port landings. The first day the crew hosted a fun “Champagne Caviar Splash” in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands. We spent the day at a stunning beach where, you guessed it, the champagne and caviar were flowing, in addition to a delicious beach barbecue. This is a signature event for the SeaDream cruises. Each port also offers several excursions, ranging from 10-25 people max, including hikes, walking tours, beach days and snorkeling tours. We booked a snorkeling excursion in St. Barts, which was beautiful. To my delight, I saw a baby nurse shark, a squid, sea turtles and plenty of neon-colored fish.

The most memorable day though, was when Captain Charles invited my mom and I on a hike in Terre-de-Haut, an enchanting island in Guadeloupe. He said the hike was easy (spoiler alert: it was not), so off we went to explore the island at 9 a.m. The inclines were steep, but the views were phenomenal at the top. We soaked up panoramic vistas of the island’s beaches, red-roofed houses and lush mountains.

On the way back, we made a pit stop at a beach with crystal-clear waters before heading back to the ship. It was such a special day, and I loved hearing Captain Charles’ love for his job. A 3^rd generation captain from Norway who learned how to sail when he was 5, Captain Charles had a great sense of humor and lots of tales from sailing to 105 countries. I'm very appreciative of him taking us along his hike and spending time with us that day. 

Diversions at sea

Most days we found ourselves enjoying the sun by the saltwater pool or lounging on the plush Balinese beds. My mom also loved the Jacuzzis and hammocks on the top deck. And what’s a yachting experience without your own water toys? SeaDream provides a water trampoline, jet skis, banana boats, kayaks and paddle boards for guests to use. You can swim and snorkel right off the yacht. SeaDream also offers the first and only water slide on any cruise ship that takes you directly from ship to sea. The 23.5-foot-long inflatable slide drops you right into the ocean. It made me feel like a kid again, and it was charming to see passengers of all ages enjoy it.

Guests can also enjoy a golf simulator, board games, morning tai-chi, yoga and bikes. When the sun sets, there are cocktail receptions, movie nights, late-night dance parties with a DJ and casino games. I indulged in a heavenly deep-pressure Thai massage, as well as a luxe manicure, at the spa (the only Thai-certified spa at sea). We also enjoyed a “Sleeping Under the Stars” experience where a Bali bed was outfitted with sheets and blankets under the moonlight. Guests are welcome to book this and fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves, but we retreated back to our quarters after a couple hours.

Final reflections

A solo traveler from Britain, who was an experienced expedition and small-ship cruiser, called the SeaDream experience “addicting.” Another couple I met from New Jersey went on their first SeaDream cruise in Croatia for their honeymoon and then booked this Caribbean itinerary. Some guests I spoke to had taken five to ten trips with SeaDream.

These repeat, loyal guests know the secret sauce of SeaDream. It’s a bit of a “if you know, you know” under-the-radar gem, and shows the difference in yachting compared to cruising. The staff, service, food and small size of the vessels are why you book with SeaDream. It’s family-owned and operated and very luxurious, yet still approachable. The atmosphere never felt stuffy or snobby, instead it felt warm and personable. I met some new friends (hey, Marshan!) and interesting people. I particularly loved how all-inclusive everything was—you never had to worry about a bill on board, and all tips and fees were included. It was truly a slice of paradise, and I have been plotting on my next cruise with them, whether it’s in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe or Caribbean.