The family owned and operated SeaDream Yacht Club has clocked up yet another first.
Since its founding in 2001, the company has shaped and defined the luxury cruise segment. And has been the first to do many things.
SeaDream was for example the first cruise line to introduce Starlink, the fastest internet at sea, across the fleet.
Plant-based menu
Another first saw them pioneer the first and biggest plant-based menu at sea.
Other recent firsts include the cruise industry’s first fleet-wide installation of shore power connection, and introduction of the first and only water slides on any cruise ship to take you directly from the ship to sea.
Now the company has clocked up another first by accepting cryptocurrency.
The boutique luxury cruise line has become the first cruise line to accept cryptocurrency as a payment option for all voyages. But only as payment for full ship charters.
Effective immediately, SeaDream guests can now book their ultra-luxury voyages to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Norway, and Northern Europe using Bitcoin (BTC). They will also accept Ethereum (ETH), and more than 200 of the most frequently used cryptocurrencies.
Embraceing cryptocurrency,
As the first cruise line to embrace cryptocurrency, SeaDream is using the leading cryptocurrency payment platform Coinbase Commerce to ensure secure, reliable and efficient payment processing.
Andreas Brynestad is the son of the company founder and is now CEO and President of SeaDream Yacht Club. He said, “SeaDream has always been an innovator, setting new standards in luxury travel. By accepting cryptocurrency, we are embracing a payment solution that is increasingly sought after by our guests.” He added, “The ability to use cryptocurrency further adds to the convenience and flexibility of our discerning charter guests. It eliminates currency exchange challenges and enables seamless transactions,”
No ifs. No buts!
But we should not forget or forgive SeaDream for another first. One that has not done the industry any favours. It was the company founder Atle Brynestad, who coined the phrase “It’s Yachting, Not Cruising”. This was the first time the word yacht had incorrectly been used to describe a small passenger ship. Now Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons have all followed suit calling their passenger ships – yachts.
A yacht needs be under 3000gt and carry 12 passengers. Passenger yachts can carry up to 36 guests. After that it is a passenger ship. No ifs. No buts!
SeaDream I and SeaDream II, both accommodate 56 couples and served by 95 crew members. But that 1-1 guest-to-crew ratio does not make it a yacht. The company offers seven to 15-day voyages to harbours and secluded ports around the world. SeaDream Yacht Club’s commitment to “It’s Yachting, Not Cruising” is reflected in the small size of its vessels. They have a distinctive luxurious onboard lifestyle, highly anticipatory service and all-inclusive offerings. These encompass special services, activities, watersports equipment, gourmet cuisine, premium wine and beverages and gratuities.
On board the all-inclusive line, guests can enjoy casual luxury in contemporary surroundings with no more than 100 fellow guests.
The ships are beginning to get a little long in the tooth but remain very popular with guests many of them long term repeat travellers. Now over 40 years old, the two ships were built in 1984, for Sea Goddess Line and Cunard. In 2000 they were briefly transferred to Seabourn, before being aquired by the Sea Dream Yacht Club.