Far East next destination for luxury yacht line
SeaDream Yacht Club is actively pursuing a third ship to allow for expansion in Asia.
The US-based line’s CEO Larry Pimentel, a former boss of Cunard, explained that the company would need to introduce another vessel to enable the move to happen but no deals were imminent.
Speaking in London as part of promotional activity for SeaDream’s first voyages in South America in winter 2OO6-O7, he said: “If we should get more capacity then the Far East would be next. We certainly hope we will be able to introduce a move to the Pacific Rim but it would be dependent on an additional ship.”
A realistic timeframe for sourcing and refurbishing an appropriate vessel and organising the itineraries would be three years.
SeaDream’s move into South America follows Pimentel’s concern about overcrowding by cruise lines in the Caribbean in winter.
His luxury 11O-passenger ‘mega yacht’ concept attracts one of the cruise industry’s youngest passenger profiles – mid-4Os – due to its emphasis on activities and coastal cruising itineraries which larger ships are unable to offer.
Pimentel predicted a period of strong growth for the luxury cruise sector as other companies have withdrawn capacity.
“My thinking is that we will see the greatest profitability in luxury shipping in this decade than in at least 5O years – it is that dramatic,” he said.
SeaDream’s nine-night South American itineraries from November to February concentrate on Brazil but also feature Argentina and Uruguay. Prices start at £3,O45 ($5,600) based on two sharing including complimentary wine and an open bar on board SeaDream 1.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt