SeaDream Transatlantic Crossing — My Favorite Yacht…As I’ve Never Experienced Her Before

SeaDream Transatlantic Crossing

By Judi Cuervo

I feel as if I’ve just walked into a private club, well-heeled men and women turning from their conversations to size me up, questioning with their eyes my very right to be there.

This is embarkation day aboard SeaDream II, a 112-passenger yacht that I’ve sailed over and over since her debut in 2001 (reimagined from her former life as the 1985-built SeaGoddess II) and one that, without question, stands as my favorite experience at sea.

The 112-pax SeaDream II. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

But my creds — numerous Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings and even a South American jaunt — appear almost meaningless here. This is my first SeaDream transatlantic crossing, an entirely different ball of wax and one that appears to attract many of the same guests year after year triggering fierce competition among them and a marked suspicion of newcomers.

“I’ve crossed 11 times on SeaDream I and three times on SeaDream II,” says one man after a recitation of my SeaDream history seems to momentarily appease him. His friend reluctantly joins us, sheepishly admitting — as though he’s not up to snuff — that this crossing is “only” his fourth.

I circulate through SeaDream II’s Main Salon and a lovely English couple — warm and welcoming regulars — invites me to join them. In no time they give me the lowdown, pointing out the yays and the nays among the 46 guests that will cross the Atlantic with us. We’re really fortunate, I’m told, that the worst of the lot isn’t sailing this crossing. Rumor has it that they lost a lot of their money this year.

WTF??

Here I am, a solo traveler on a 12-day voyage from Barbados to Malaga with our only call — Funchal, Madeira — being nine sea days away. It just might be a very long journey.

Author Judi Cuervo in the Sea Dream II’s Main Salon. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Seadream Atlantic crossings cruise between the Caribbean and Spain, in the more southern reaches of the North Atlantic. * Map: SeaDream

The SeaDream I love … & Recognize

I take my flute of champagne, roam the yacht, and suddenly feel I’m home again. She looks as gorgeous as I remember, the fruits of her recent renovation in 2022, like The SeaClub with its dual hot tubs, hammock and Instagram Corner, blending seamlessly with the yacht’s original design.

The Sea Club. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

The al fresco Topsiders Restaurant and Top of the Yacht trigger decades of fond memories and the rows of Balinese sunbeds remind me of the many nights I slept atop one under the stars. My 195-square foot suite is a stunning wash of blue and beige with luxury linens dressing a double bed, ample storage space and a large screen TV.

Sea Dream II suite. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

As I wander, I am greeted by some of SeaDream’s most powerful weapons — the extraordinary men and women who flawlessly combine friendliness and professionalism to deliver the best service at sea. I chat with John, Louie, Jonel, Oneil and Jamie and we catch up like old friends — which I suppose we are.

Alistair, Jamie & Judi at the Caviar Splash aboard the SeaDream II. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

There are new faces too, like South African chief bartender Clive, who exudes charm and capability from the get-go. Suddenly, I don’t really care about the onboard contention. Clive, with his bulging muscles, shaved head and tattooed arms, will not only keep my wine glass filled, but he could surely beat the shit out of anyone who might bother me.

Judi and friends (including Clive!) at the Piano Bar. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

RELATED: Heidi shares the 12 reasons she loves the SeaDream Yacht Club experience. 

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Crossing … & Tossing on a SeaDream Transatlantic Crossing

I’m no stranger to Atlantic crossings, having sailed the route aboard ships like Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2, Rotterdam VI and Viking Mars but today I’m aboard a 4,333 grt yacht so I’ve come prepared with scopolamine seasick patches.

And while I never use any (though I do share my stash with a few shipmates), I pop a Bonine preventatively each day.

During the first week of the crossing, winds, swells and currents combine and SeaDream II responds with uninterrupted pitching and rolling (and waves hitting two meters at times, maybe more) that surprises every SeaDream transatlantic veteran I speak to. (Though, it’s certainly not uncommon to have some chop on a Transatlantic crossing.)

RELATED: Ted tells us about the 8 roughest cruising regions in the world.

VIDEO: Below, just another day at sea crossing the Atlantic.

“Sure,” says one, “We’ve always had a rocky day or two but never, never like this.” In fact, just two weeks prior to our crossing, SeaDream I experienced a crossing so calm that guests were invited to take a swim mid-Atlantic, diving in from the yacht’s sports platform into water 4,500 feet deep!

The well-travelled SeaDream veterans largely take our motion in stride. A gentleman sits by the pool reading (despite the turbulent seas, blue skies and sunshine predominate throughout the crossing), his deck chair rising and falling with the rhythm of the waves.

Folks enjoying the stern pool deck. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Each morning I join activities director Jamie Sommers and three or four guests to “Walk a Mile with a Smile” — 16 laps around deck 6, an exercise that feels as though I’m on a massive treadmill, an invisible hand playing serious havoc with the incline button.

The sun beds on Deck 6 (while in port, later in Funchal). * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Still, it is preferable to attempting an actual treadmill in SeaDream II’s fitness center and I figure the balance required to walk is working the core as well.

The SeaDream II has an impressive little gym. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Not-So-Active Activities on my SeaDream Transatlantic Crossing

SeaDream II’s motion results in an obvious adjustment to onboard activities. Use of the sports platform, a signature SeaDream feature, is not possible, though the captain tests its safety level late in the cruise.

Nobody sleeps under the stars (although personalized SeaDream pajamas are optimistically delivered to my suite), and while dancing at Top of the Yacht is attempted on our second evening, I find myself clinging to a beam as if I’m a sleazy pole dancer shimmying to Santana’s “Smooth.”

I give up and head to The Piano Bar.

The Piano Bar, with its adjacent Library and the single roulette table casino, I discover, is the magic wand that brings people together — at least about 20 of us, including a Norwegian contingent who are the partiers of the voyage. It is in this environment of laughter and camaraderie that I bond with a handful of shipmates — veterans and first-timers alike — as we belt out some of our favorite songs to the accompaniment of Spencer’s piano stylings.

Judi and friends in the library, adjacent to piano bar. * Photo: Judi Cuerve

Yet hovering among us is The Scowling Man, a pompous Grinch who loudly ridicules people’s singing, outfits, musical tastes and opinions and must hold the record for longest time aboard a SeaDream yacht without cracking a smile.

Unsurprising for a transatlantic crossing aboard any ship, days tend to be filled with relaxing pursuits. Aboard SeaDream II, a Special Interest Lecture is presented daily — on our crossing, educator and author David Gies engages us with tales of Spain’s fascinating history, royalty and leaders and Senior U.K. Academic Susan Braud explores language development and the powerful art of storytelling.

Spain expert Davie Gies enlightens us. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Most days, a film (complete with popcorn) is screened in the Main Salon, and on one morning a cooking demonstration by extraordinary executive chef Alastair Solomons treats us to his amazing pork stir fry.

Two lectures by Captain Michael MacLeod, a proud Scot from the Hebridean island of Barra who’s been with SeaDream since 2009, takes us behind the scenes of SeaDream II and, late in the crossing when the seas calm, the transatlantic version of SeaDream’s exuberant Caviar Splash is held around the swimming pool with free-flowing champagne, endless caviar and…finally!…dancing.

The champagne component of the Caviar Splash! * Photo: Judi Cuervo

And then there is team trivia and game shows. Lots and lots of team trivia and game shows. Sometimes as often as three times a day.

Don’t be surprised if Captain MacLeod (with his encyclopedic knowledge of Beatles album covers) pops in and joins your trivia team. This charming captain is one of the gang aboard our crossing, even performing at The Piano Bar one evening.

The Captain and Judi in a “Battle of the Sexes” game show. Judi won the round! * Photo: Judi Cuervo

But don’t let his subpar rendition of “Maggie May” fool you. This is one capable captain and he proves it when a medical emergency hits two nights after our call at Funchal. Rather than heading for the closest port, Captain MacLeod researches and learns that the best medical care is back in Funchal. He turns SeaDream II around and heads there to transfer the guest and, despite now being hours and hours behind schedule, increases speed so that we arrive in Malaga on schedule with no disruption to guests’ plans or flight schedules.

SeaDream II Dining — Luscious & Lovely

My server lifts the silver dome to reveal my dazzling main course: succulent roast duck drizzled with a savory sauce, garnished with sprigs of tender asparagus and topped with a riot of parsley leaves. This is the follow-up to what I had expected to be a simple tomato caprese salad appetizer but instead, showing itself to be a bountiful composition of mozzarella chunks, red onion and minced parsley beneath a sumptuous dressing.

Even my humble scoop of ice cream is a work of art, garnished as it is with a triangular wafer, two strawberry slices, a mint leaf and chocolate twig.

If there’s one thing that bonds everybody aboard SeaDream II, it’s the yacht’s magnificent dining.

Lunch buffet spread. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Whether served in the formal Dining Salon on deck 2, a gorgeous room of polished woods, and formally-set tables, or the outdoor Topsiders Restaurant that offers sunset views at dinnertime, guests may expect delectable and creative dishes exquisitely presented and professionally served.

Outdoor Topsiders Restaurant = dining with a view! * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Chicken Tikka Masala SeaDream style. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

And vegans can enjoy not just a plant-based dish or two but a full menu section — appetizer, soup, main course and dessert. In fact, I, most certainly not a vegan, count the towering lentil shepherd’s pie, perfectly seasoned lentils atop a layer of sublime guacamole and topped with a silky swirl of sweet potato — among my favorite dishes of the crossing.

Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Best of all, aboard SeaDream II, menus at every meal appear to be mere suggestions. The yacht’s galley of 13 culinary pros regularly — and expertly — deliver special requests cheerfully and on a dime!

RELATED: John Roberts reviews his recent SeaDream II cruise.

Wrapping It Up …

Devoted fans will find the perfection they’ve come to expect of SeaDream Yacht Club aboard a transatlantic crossing. They may, however, be surprised by a passenger dynamic that is very different from sailings in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. This dynamic was noticed by every first-time transatlantic guest I spoke to, and even a crew member who confessed to me “I just stand back, do my job and watch.”

I’d certainly sail SeaDream transatlantic again. But I’d board knowing that just like everywhere else in the world, aboard SeaDream, there are a lot of spectacular, friendly, warm people and other people who…well…aren’t.

And to the man who had never spoken with me yet felt compelled to tell me that nobody liked me? He made me feel young again. I haven’t been told that since the fourth grade.

Our relatively rough seas were an anomaly according to transatlantic veterans and certainly no reason to avoid a crossing aboard SeaDream in April (the winter months of Nov – Feb are known to be rough crossing the North Atlantic). If it were, you might as well avoid an airline after a turbulent flight.

A beautiful sunset at sea. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Included in the SeaDream Transatlantic Crossing Fares

• Wines, Champagnes, cocktails
• Gratuities
• All meals
• Tai Chi and yoga classes
• Use of golf simulator
• Use of yacht’s bicycles for independent exploration ashore
• Escorted walks and hikes (where offered)
• Internet access via one of the library’s two computers for guests’ use  (Starlink internet for a personal device is available at an additional charge; on my 12-day crossing, that cost was $169.)

Morning Tai-Chi. * Photo: Judi Cuervo

Interested in This SeaDream Transatlantic Crossing?

Brochure rates for this 12-day SeaDream II east-bound voyage began at $3,999 (plus $504 per guest government, port document issuance, handling and service fees) for a Yacht Club Stateroom on deck 2.

In October, 2024, SeaDream I and SeaDream II will cross the Atlantic, west-bound:

• SeaDream I — 13 days (October 26-November 8, 2024 from Malaga calling at Madeira and ending at Marigot); fares start at $4,599 plus $546 per guest government (for port document issuance, handling and service fees) for a Yacht Club Stateroom on deck 2.
• SeaDream II — 14 days (October 26-November 9, 2024 from Malaga calling at Philipsburg and Jost Van Dyke, ending in San Juan); fares start at $5,399 plus $588 per guest (for government, port document issuance, handling and service fees) for a Yacht Club Stateroom on deck 2.

Click HERE for SeaDream Transatlantic Crossing booking details.

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