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| SeaDream Yacht Club's mega-yachts sail to such smaller ports as Hvar, Croatia. // Photo by SeaDream |
As cruise lines head into the start of European season cruising in another month, “the year is coming up very good,” says Bob Lepisto, president, SeaDream Yacht Club.
While SeaDream still has some good inventory in the Mediterranean, “we’re up five percent right now where we were last year at the same time last year," he says, noting that the American dollar’s current surge against the euro means opportunity for agents and consumers alike.
"For the first time in 10+ years, Americans once again think they may have a strong dollar in the Mediterranean and in Europe this year," Lepisto says. He notes that, at one point the dollar was 1.04 against the euro, and it could actually go to parity.
He reports increased interest for Europe "closer in," as people are now evaluating the possibility of a European vacation that they hadn't planned to take. He says the line still has space available for voyages that provide in-depth exploration in Croatia and the Greek Islands and Spain’s Balaeric Islands.
For example, “we couldn’t do one Ukraine itinerary originally planned for the Black Sea region [due to the political unrest in the region], so now we offer an in-depth, 13-night circumnavigation of the Greek Islands – both the South Islands as well as what I call 'the Mama Mia' northern Greek islands.”
That voyage sails August 29 roundtrip from Istanbul. Calls include lesser visited spots including Skiapos, Skopelos, Sifinos and Para.
How is SeaDream’s cruise experience a bit different than those on bigger ships? Lepisto says the line’s two mega-yachts stay away from most ports used by larger ships. It's also a different experience while afloat -- more yachting than cruising.
“On the last voyage I was on, the Adriatic Sea's waters were so smooth, that while the yacht was under way, we actually deployed the water sports platform and activities off the stern," Lepisto says. "Other big ships can’t do those things.”
In Croatia, the line does go to Dubrovnik, a popular big-ship cruise port as well. But, SeaDream's ships anchor right off the old city (rather than at a more modern dock farther away) and take guests by tender right to the old city's marina. Other Croatian port calls include such smaller places as Korcula and Hvar.
Lepisto says guests also appreciate the short distances between these types of ports, having more time in port and for water play.
This coming winter (2015-2016) SeaDream will be returning to the Caribbean – but instead of its traditional offerings with two ships sailing in and around the British Virgin Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands, the line will keep one there, but move the other to the Grenadines and the French West Indies.
“We see a lot of opportunity in both areas, and our very loyal guests are looking for unique, different experiences,” Lepisto says. Those Caribbean voyages will begin in November.
New for 2015 and into 2016, when SeaDream is in the Mediterranean, it also plans itineraries that are wine voyages. “We have an added focus on eight of these in 2015 and eight for 2016,” he says. They’re in Spain, France and Italy.
“All feature wine experts who sail onboard, all feature unique wine tastings, there is a special wine pairing dinner and we have unique shore excursions that include winery visits and lunch at a winery,” he notes.
For 2016, one highlight is a Mediterranean voyage at the time of the Monaco Grand Prix in 2016. "As a shore excursion on this eight-night voyage we are offering our guests the opportunity to go to the Grand Prix," Lepisto says.
He believes psychographics rather than demographics are more important in determining why people choose a particular cruise or cruise line. But, “we do trend younger than most luxury lines, with an average age of 52," he says.
Lepisto stresses the SeaDream experience is properly billed as a yachting experience more than a cruise. He says it's more active, more outdoor-oriented, and "a little more hip and a little more sexy" than what other luxury lines offer.
As Cruise Shipping Miami kicks off today and tomorrow in Miami Beach, FL, Lepisto will be on site to meet with consortia executives and travel agents. “I love talking to travel agents about how to attract the anti-cruise crowd,” he says, “as the customers for SeaDream are the same as those who enjoy really fine boutique hotels or villas.” They're people who often think they wouldn't like a cruise.
He says if agents can get people onboard to try the experience, “more often than not they meet interesting people onboard and they have a great time.” Travel agents of record on the first booking get credit for future bookings – many of which are made by the guests onboard.
Visit www.seadreamyachtclub.com