Seadream’s Flexibility Appeals to Young Adults

The rule in cruising seems to be that the more upscale the cruise, the older the passenger. It takes time for most people to be able to afford what is often a five-digit price tag.

But SeaDream Yacht Club has managed to tap into the market of younger, affluent vacationers that make its average passenger age 47 and falling. That is about a decade younger than the average age on its competitors’ ships: Most luxury cruise passengers average in the late 50s to early 60s.

On a SeaDream Caribbean sailing in February, some seasoned cruisers noted their fellow passengers were on the young side.

“I’ve never been on a cruise considered so upscale that was so young,” said Rene Battiston of Manhasset, N.Y., who has been on 98 cruises, including most of the luxury lines. “Upscale usually means old.”

SeaDream’s formula –100-passenger ships visiting smaller ports where larger cruise ships can’t go, spending nights in some ports and leaving others late- seems to work with younger cruisers, including many who have never cruised before. And unlike the first-time cruisers on Carnival Cruise Lines or Norwegian Cruise Line, SeaDream seems to attract vacationers who otherwise might not have ever cruised.

There were four young couples on honeymoons on the SeaDream I during the seven-day journey from St. Thomas to San Juan. One couple from the Pacific Northwest said that a travel agent, who knew the groom had never cruised and was not interested in the big-ship experience, recommended the sailing to them.

Like many couples on SeaDream, the Guarinos had left their children at home. Johnson said this is common among SeaDream passengers who often take other vacations, even other cruises, with their children.

SeaDream is an adult ship, but with many ways to play. Unless there are weather or local restrictions, SeaDream opens its marina every day, enabling free use of its personal watercraft, water skis and other water toys.

The top deck offers a golf simulator that was sometimes used late into the evening. Complimentary yoga and tai chi classes were taught daily. On the last day, there is a yoga class on the beach.

SeaDream is the only cruise line that gives its guests the option to sleep outside on Balinese day beds made up with down blankets, sheets and pillows for overnights.

The bed in the front of the ship seemed to be the only one anyone actually slept in: The other beds are next to the ship’s smokestack, which rumbles and spews sparks throughout the night. But many passengers enjoyed the excitement of sleeping under the stars, even if only for a few hours.

Events like a private beach barbecue party with caviar and champagne served on a surfboard in the surf, along with a volleyball game with crew members, appealed to the young at heart -- and in body, as well.

Perhaps more than anything onboard, the long days and overnights in port were huge pluses among these passengers. “As a group, we have done a lot of independent travel, maybe jumping on and off trains in Europe,” said one 30-something guest. “Now we can afford to travel in style, but we don’t want the restrictions. I want to be able to stay out until 4 a.m. in St. Bart’s.”

Had that guest stayed out until 4 a.m., he would have waited a couple hours to get back onboard: SeaDream’s tender stopped running between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. But 2 a.m. was late enough for most people.