A luxury cruise ship, the SeaDream II, has just made the first of its regular visits to Ibiza over this and next year. Unlike the gigantic cruisers which berth in Ibiza port carrying thousands of passengers, this one carries only 112, but in the utmost luxury.
It's about the same size as the famous and privately owned Lady Moura yacht which is often seen here, and has a crew to passenger ratio of 1 to 1, which has led the boat's owners to boast that the bartender will know your name and favourite drink, and the waiter your favourite dessert. There are 8 massage therapists (from Thailand) in the yacht's Spa and Fitness centre – exactly the same number as on the Queen Mary which carries thousands of passengers!
The SeaDream II truly is a floating palace with restaurants featuring gourmet cuisine, Bali DreamBeds on the top deck, the finest linens in the rooms, its own water sports marina extending from the stern and as a truly personal touch each guest is greeted on board by the captain.
The ship is on a cruise from Seville to Rome carrying mostly American passengers with high acquisitive power – it means they are wadded – and stayed in town for 15 hours, just enough to spend a bit of cash round the shops or restaurants.
What is more interesting to the authorities in Ibiza is that statistics show that 17% of cruise passengers to any destination return there under their own steam at a later date, so enticing cruisers to visit Ibiza is a good investment for the future.
So, what does cruise line SeaDreamYacht Cruises (photos courtesy of) say about Ibiza in its publicity
“This tiny Balearic island, with its sensational beaches and coves, modest whitewashed villages and dynamic international community, is a favorite of cosmopolitan tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany and Scandinavia. The best sites here are the beaches and the villages, but you'll also want to view the Phoenician artifacts at the archaeological museum and the cathedral with its 13th-century belfry.”
