“It’s been a dream of mine for many years,” says Atle Brynestad, owner, chairman and CEO of SeaDream Yacht Club. Now that dream will be realised with the line’s first newbuild, a 220-guest luxury mega-yacht.
SeaDream has been a two-ship brand since its founding in 2001, taking Cunard’s Sea Goddesses and operating them as SeaDream I and II, but that changes in September 2021 with the arrival of the all-suite SeaDream Innovation.
“This project has been a dream of mine for many years,” says Brynestad. “It has been a true labour of love to meticulously design every aspect of this yacht, from the interiors and facilities to the itineraries.”
SeaDream Innovation’s Polar ice-class rating will enable Arctic and Antarctic cruising
SeaDream Innovation, costing $180m, will have a one-to-one guest to crew ratio and is planned to sail to all seven continents in its first year, visiting more than 200 ports in 49 countries. A Polar Code 6 ice-class rating will also enable Arctic and Antarctic deployment.
Passengers will explore the world’s most remote destinations, including Svalbard, the Northwest Passage, Antarctica, the fjords of Norway, Japan, New Zealand, the Fiji Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
The vessel will be constructed and outfitted at Damen’s Mangalia shipyard in Romania, with work to begin in October. The yard, located on the Black Sea, is the largest in the Damen portfolio and brings with it the capabilities for the group to construct larger, more complex vessels.
“We were drawn to Damen Shipyards for their excellent reputation and proven track record as innovators in the shipbuilding industry,” Brynestad explains.
“Damen Shipyards understood our vision from the very beginning. Both Damen and SeaDream are family-owned businesses, making Damen a perfect long-term partner for this visionary project. We are looking forward to working closely with the Damen team to bring this dream to reality.”
SeaDream is now accepting reservations from Club Members (repeat passengers). Sales to the public will open on 17 April, 2020.