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United States
Asia Pacific
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Pimentel predicted a period of strong growth for the luxury cruise sector as other companies have withdrawn capacity.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
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