A Queensland chief executive has booked out boutique ship, SeaDream to celebrate his 70th birthday with 100 family members and close friends on a Mediterranean cruise next year.
“And not only that – he is also flying them to Europe at the pointy end of the plane,’’ said business development director Julie Denovan.
“The Brisbane-based businessman has cruised with SeaDream for about half-a dozen times before. This time, he wants to mark his 70th birthday by booking all 56 staterooms for an eight-day cruise on the Med in September/October next year, ’’ she said.
Ms Denovan revealed this at a lunch hosted by SeaDream Yacht Club president Bob Lepisto, here on a flying visit to Australia.
“This region – Australia and New Zealand  – is one of the best performing markets for SeaDream with Australians making up 10 per cent of our guests on Mediterranean cruises,’’ Mr Lepisto said.
“Many would book back-to-back journeys on SeaDream to cruise two-to three week itineraries. We’ve had Australian adult families book up to 10 staterooms at a time and couples who have enjoyed a special time renewing wedding vows on board.
“Australian guests provide great energy and feel to our voyages. SeaDream likes having Australians onboard and they certainly seem to like us… and I think they will also be especially interested in our upcoming new wine voyages,’’ Mr Lepisto said.
He also flagged that SeaDream is thinking of building a new, bigger and technically advanced ship which will be equipped to do expedition cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.
“Nothing is confirmed yet but we expect that the new ship, if and when it is built, can take up to 250 guests.
“With the strong US dollar it would make it more attractive to build a new ship in Europe or Scandinavia.,’’ Mr Lepisto said.
On the building of mega ships by cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, he said that SeaDream has always believed in the adage  “smaller is better.’’
“We have nothing against big spectacular cruise ships where the ships themselves have become the destination.  We do not see the need to have celebrity chefs or speciality restaurants onboard SeaDream. That’s cruising, not yachting,’’ he said.