Stunning welcome for SeaDream's first ever season into Asia

COLOURFUL welcome to SeaDream II in Goa, India.

SEADREAM Yacht Club says its SeaDream II has received "an absolutely stunning welcome" from quarters as diverse as national governments, local tourism authorities, travel operators and the media since arriving in October for it's first-ever season into Asia, northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The luxury mega motor-cruiser has already sailed from Mumbai to Singapore by way of ports in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia, and will undertake 18-itineraries in the region before season-end in April.

"We've been absolutely stunned by the extraordinary welcomes accorded us at virtually every port of call, large or small," said SeaDream Yacht Club's President India, Sudesh Kishore who was aboard from Mumbai to Singapore.

SEADREAM II arrives off Phuket in Thailand.

"We've had tourism and other ministers welcome us as a new chapter in their tourism ventures, as well as local government officials, members of the travel industry and local business organisations, sometimes with bands and cultural performances on the pier as we've docked," Mr Kishore said.

"At some places our onboard guests were even invited to join-in the dancing and cultural performances, which they absolutely loved, and our Captain and other officers were interviewed by enthusiastic local TV stations and newspapers as we exchanged city and national plaques and framed SeaDream photographs with local authorities.

"We also had up to 40 travel industry and media aboard at larger ports to inspect the yacht – the SeaDream concept is simply something they've not seen before, and they were genuinely interested in our philosophy of 'Yachting, Not Cruising,' with just-56 staterooms for a maximum 112 guests served by 95 crew, open bars and wines with meals, onboard gratuities included, and free use for guests of a wide range of land- and water-sports and fitness facilities."

As an example of sailings still available, 7-nights from Singapore to Bali departing 11 January starts from US$3,954pp double occupancy.

For full itineraries and fare inclusions in Asia, Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea, see travel agents or visit www.seadream.com