I’m getting suspicious. Perhaps this isn’t a sailing at all, but a very vivid dream. Surely, that pair of pajamas on my bed, folded into a perfect square and wrapped in ribbon should be enough to tip me off. I notice the pajamas are embroidered with my first name. Yes, it must be a dream but I decide to sur- render to the fantasy and enjoy the luxury and personalized service of a sail- ing sans regimen, crowds, or costly “extras.” In my dream I rise early and roam the ship. What’s this? A couple is fast asleep on deck. I laugh at the image. My subconscious has transformed deck chairs into full- sized beds with foot-high mattresses. The couple in my dream is atop one, clad in their own personalized pajamas. They sleep on fluffy feather pillows and beneath a fine Belgian linen comforter. I continue on and discover a continental break- fast arranged for me alone. Fresh squeezed orange juice, pastries, fruit and coffee. A wooden staircase leads to a full outdoor restaurant where tables are formally set with glass, china and silver, not paper plates and plastic. The grill is siz- zling, the tablecloths flutter and guests order from a full menu or opt for the L-shaped buffet. I seek sun and solitude and find both by the swimming pool. A crewmember notices my CD player beside me and asks if I’d like him to put my disk on the sound system. I accept enthusiastically and soon the distinctive sound of Strawbs’ aptly-named “Down by the Sea” surrounds me. Later, S EA D REAM arrives at Virgin Gorda, a speck of an island that no mega- ship could ever hope to visit. A lavish beach barbecue is being prepared and
the delicious aroma of grilled chicken, steak and lobster wafts towards the water’s edge as we disembark from the bright red zodiac that carries groups of us to the festivities. I am offered champagne and rum punch by barefoot waiters in the sand. Moments later, a blue zodiac appears and, at once, I see our captain is riding regally atop it, the S EA D REAM flag fluttering from a pole in his hand. My dream is becoming even more surreal. Waiters in full uni- form are in the water now, waist deep, serving guests champagne. A surfboard floats into view carrying a bottomless tin of fine caviar and, behind the float- ing board, the ship’s hotel manager, also in full uniform, spoons the delicacy onto crispy croutons and encourages us all to indulge. I wade in to accept the offerings. Curious, I think. I feel the water, I am being lifted by the waves, yet I must still be asleep because one of the fully-dressed waiters, champagne bottle in hand, just did a back flip at the water’s edge and didn’t lose a drop. After lunch, I fall asleep under a palm tree, the warm breeze mussing my hair, the crashing sound of the waves providing a hypnotic soundtrack. After awhile, I hear my husband: “Are you awake?” he asks me. I open my eyes, consider for a moment, and tell him that I’m really not sure. Note: With the exception of the flight upgrade, all incidents noted in this story actually occurred during the writer’s S EA D REAM voyage. Judi Cuervo is a New York-based freelance cruise writer whose work has appeared in national, regional, Canadian, U.K. and Australian publications as well as on websites like cruisemates.com.
caribbean Dreams
VoyagE
DatE
EMbaRk
DEbaRk
nIghtS
*11141 SDI nov. 1
San Juan San Juan antigua barbados barbados antigua antigua San Juan San Juan San Juan
San Juan antigua barbados barbados antigua antigua San Juan San Juan San Juan
*5
11142 11143 11144 11145 11146 11147 11148 11149
nov. 6 nov. 13 nov. 20 nov. 27 Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Dec. 17 Dec. 23
7 7 7 7 7 6 6 7 8 7 7 7 7 6 7 7
Reserve a relaxed, peaceful retreat to the Caribbean aboard a S EA D REAM yacht this November and December. It is in the Caribbean, that time seems to slow down and almost effortlessly you unwind. It must be the balmy climate,the soothing sound of palm trees swaying in the breeze, the captivating color of the sea and the powdery soft sand. Watch the world go by from a Balinese Dream Bed, sipping frozen drinks between napping, reading and dining. You’ll be awoken only when its time to go home. Rates starting as low at *US $2,199 per person + fees.
21143 SDII nov. 4
St. thomas St. thomas
21144 21145 21146 21147 21148 21149 21150
nov.12 nov. 19 nov. 26 Dec. 3 Dec. 10 Dec. 16 Dec. 23
St. thomas St. thomas
San Juan
San Juan
St. thomas St. thomas
St. thomas St. thomas
San Juan
San Juan
St. thomas St. thomas
St. thomas
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