This is nothing new. Sea Goddess started this style of cruising as a yacht experience in 1984 with the introduction of the Sea Goddess I. One year later, Sea Goddess II was introduced. These ships were privately owned by a Norwegian Company. We were on the inaugural Mediterranean Cruise in 1985 of SGII. The ship held 102 passengers. There were 80 crew for 102 pax. Everything was. included. We could have as much Beluga caviar as we wanted at any time of day, unlimited alcoholic beverages(finest brands), rare wines, unlimited access to the Captain's Bridge. Guests were offered menus at mealtimes but we could theoretically order anything we wanted. Chefs purchased fresh fruit and vegetables in the local ports. Because the draught of the ship was so shallow, we sailed to such places as Porto Cervo, Portofino, Bonifacio, St. Tropez, Capri, St. Barths, as well a tiny, unexplored islands in the Caribbean, Indonesia, Australia, Seychelles and South America. Unfortunately, about 3 years after the ships were launched, the economy went south and the ships were purchased by Cunard. There was not a noticeable change in service, the exception being that many Scandinavian crew members were replaced by Asian crew members, primarily from the Philippines. We had a great run of about 15 years. The ship is back in the hands of a Norwegian company. We made a lot of lasting friendships on those voyages.
Itineraries are being developed with an intent to combine the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resorts and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation. Calling at intimate and signature destinations alike, voyages will range from seven to ten days. The first ship will cruise a wide variety of destinations depending on the season, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Due to the intimate size of the vessel, the yacht will call at unique locations typically not accessible to large cruise ships, from Capri and Portofino to St. Barths and the old town of Cartagena. With a relaxed pace, that includes both overnight and daytime ports of call, guests will be offered a uniquely curated destination experience.
"The specially designed small capacity vessel will measure 190-meters, accommodate up to 298 passengers, and feature 149 suites, each with its own private balcony. The yacht will also feature two 138 square-meter lavish duplex penthouse suites, with modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and leading cruise ship design firm, Tillberg Design of Sweden. The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and unparalleled level of individualized guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized; a first in the cruise industry".[/I]
Edited to add:
Sea Goddess is now Sea Dream
Last edited by obscure2k; Jun 23, 2017 at 5:36 pm