A Seven-Day Dream cont

During free-seating dinners – either on deck or in the dining room (depending on the weather) - a sommelier serves up a variety of French Italian or Spanish wines, while waiters fuss  around – almost lurching to place chairs underneath passengers about to sit at a table.

Afterwards, it’s off to sing and dance to Gary’s music in the piano bar – or the ‘Top of the Yacht’ bar - where Alex will show off  his skills making a Singapore sling or two that puts the Raffles version to shame. In fact, you can have a cocktail or French champagne – or anything else alcoholic - for free any time of the day or night almost anywhere on the yacht – apart from the bridge.

Back at your spacious stateroom - with flat screen TV, DVD and CD - the house (sea) maids are not to be outdone by the waiters with their delightful towel arrangements of animals in the form of elephants and turtles – not to mention the bombardment of fresh towels and designer toiletries. And they re-stock the room bar at no cost daily.

By day, some Europeans – for as long as I can remember – get up at the crack of dawn and monopolise the pool-deck lounge chairs or double sun-beds – even though it’s requested not to do so. But despite this annoying trait, there’s still plenty to occupy the mind even if you can’t grab a favoured spot in the sun by the pool or whirlpool. If you do, crew members pounce in a flash to cool you down with moisture spray or ask if they can clean your sunglasses.

On other decks, there’s a golf simulator with 30 international courses to tackle, a gymnasium with state-of-the-art equipment, Asian spa, outdoor massage, beauty salon, a boutique, well-stocked library with internet and casino. In port – depending on the water conditions, you have the use of mountain bikes, kayaks, Zodiacs for water skiing, snorkel gear and a banana boat. For the less energetic, passengers can accompany the executive chef ashore to sample local delicacies.  

After leaving Monte Carlo, SeaDream 1 headed for St Tropez, Cassis, Bonifacio in Corsica, Portoferraio on the island of Elba, Portovenere (from where you can visit Cinque Terre – five picturesque villages of pastel-coloured houses and terraced vineyards, which cling to the Ligurian cliffs on the west coast of Italy) and, finally, the stylish resort of Portofino. Apart from Cassis, where the yacht stayed for nine hours, it berthed or moored at every other port for more than 12 hours. You can either take an escorted tour ashore or explore on your own.

On the last morning, it’s back to Monte Carlo after seven magical days and 662 nautical miles (1226 kilometres) aboard SeaDream 1.

After years sailing the calm, warm waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean, SeaDream 1 will next year head north for cruises to ports along the cooler waters of the northern Atlantic, Scandinavia and the Baltic.

From 28 May to the end of July, the mega-yacht will sail to ports in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Norway and Russia (St. Petersburg) - with a first-time stop in London.

SeaDream 11 will remain in the Mediterranean during her northern summer voyages.

In 2012, South America and the Amazon are on SeaDream Yacht Club’s radar.