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Champagne for breakfast

Sara Macefield sampled one of the world’s most luxurious shore excursions only to find she was more than happy to be left out at sea

Iwas standing waist deep in the crystal clear waters of the South China Sea with a flute of chilled Champagne in one hand and a caviar canapé in the other. La Perla swimwear had replaced the smart suits and pretty cocktail dresses normally associated with this kind of occasion. And shorts-clad waiters armed with reinforcement bubbly moved between us while chefs dispensed jet-black sevruga caviar balanced on Melba toast from an impromptu serving counter – a floating surfboard. There were audible squeals from the shallows as me and my fellow cruisers revelled in our surreal ‘moment’.

If one of the most luxurious shore excursions doesn’t already sound familiar to you, this is Caviar in the Surf – one of the treats organised for passengers by luxury line Yachts of Seabourn, an easy highlight of my two-week cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore.

Having heard about the experience, my expectations were high, but the deserted Thai island of Ko Kood more than exceeded them. Every last detail on our ‘desert island’ day was taken care of. A perfect powder beach was lined with parasols and sun-chairs; gentle music wafted on the tropical breeze as the ship’s band played in the background; and waiters attentively hovered with a steady stream of drinks until the impressive buffet lunch was served in the alfresco eating area.

Nearby, there were massage beds (both undercover and outside) with local therapists on hand to pamper anyone looking to relax with authentic Thai treatments. Further along the beach, watersports from water-skiing to banana boat rides and kayaking were on offer for more active passengers. It was one of those hedonistic days that passed by too quickly. Before I knew it, the time had come to regretfully abandon my sun chair and catch the last tender back to our ship, Seabourn Spirit, moored offshore.

Having previously cruised on more mass-market lines, the upmarket ambience of Seabourn was plain from the moment I stepped aboard in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the four nights to Bangkok.

It was smaller than anything I’d sailed on before. With just 208 passengers, it had a cosy atmosphere more reminiscent of a private club. Attractive teak decks, shiny brass fittings and thick-pile carpets throughout really brought the understated luxury home. Then there was my suite – decorated in muted shades of blue and gold, with a large double bed, walk-in closet and marble bathroom with bath, plus his and hers basins.

The lounge area was roomy with its three-seater sofa and there were extra touches, including a DVD player and flatscreen TV along with a mini-bar stocked with a selection of tipples (all complimentary).

That was the real beauty of this cruise – extra charges were few and far between. Drinks, gratuities and even some outings were included. The joy of not having to worry about the bar bill contributed to the convivial atmosphere onboard. With Champagne virtually on tap, it was hard to venture more than a few steps without a suitable drink in hand, such was the efficiency of the bar staff.

Despite being such a small ship, Seabourn Spirit boasts a surprisingly varied choice of dining haunts, none of which carry supplements, as is becoming increasingly common on other cruise lines. The main dining room, The Restaurant, has open seating and exquisite food that are a world away from the huge dining rooms and queues that can be found on larger ships.

By day, Restaurant 2 is the light and airy Veranda Café serving buffet breakfast and lunch both inside and out. At night, it becomes more of an upmarket bistro, with themed menus under the patronage of American celebrity chef Charlie Palmer. The regular tasting evenings, when diners nibble their way through seven mouth-watering courses of bite-size delicacies, shouldn’t be missed.

On some nights, passengers can opt for the Sky Grill on deck and enjoy surf and turf under the stars with a buffet of salads followed by succulent steak and lobster. Indeed, what Seabourn serves up is enough to satisfy the most ardent cruiser. But ask any passenger why they keep coming back and time and time again, they say it’s the service.

Nothing seems to be too much trouble. On this cruise an Italian contessa complained that her bathrobe was too long so staff had it shortened and had her initials stitched in. When another passenger needed a tuxedo for a formal night, the ship’s tailor appeared with a spare dinner suit, measured him up and swiftly altered it to fit.

A sunbathing stint on deck left me feeling totally pampered after waiters brought drinks, ice-cold face towels and delicious frozen fruit kebabs – and even sprayed me with suntan lotion! Then there were on-deck ‘Massage Moments’ with spa therapists providing gratis, alfresco treatments.

The ship’s compact size means it is able to sail into the centre of Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, making it easier for passengers to go off exploring at leisure without having to endure tediously-long transfers.

This, along with everything else on offer, proved that where this cruise line is concerned, the best things really do come in small packages.

Yachts of Seabourn offers 14-night Asian Capitals and Vietnam II sailings departing on 19 December 2009, 30 January, 27 February 27 and 27 March 2010. The cruises, from Hong Kong to Singapore, call at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ko Kood, Bangkok and Singapore.

For more, call 0800 916 3233, visit cruisethomascook.com, your local Thomas Cook or Going Places store, or see Thomas Cook TV, Sky channel 655

MORE TOP-END CRUISES 

Silversea Cruises offers a nine-day Hong Kong to Singapore sailing on Silver Whisper, departing 14 February 2010. Calls include Haiphong, Ha Long Bay and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers a 17-night voyage on Seven Seas Mariner from Singapore to Sydney, departing 1 November 2009, with calls including Bali, Fremantle (for Perth), Adelaide and Melbourne.

Windstar Cruises is offering a one-week sailing leaving from Barbados on Wind Surf through the Caribbean, with calls including St Kitts, St Martin and St Barts, departing 6 December 2009.

Sail for the Middle East with Crystal Cruises on a 13-day voyage from Mumbai to Dubai on Crystal Serenity, departing on 2 March 2010. Ports of call include Muscat in Oman, Bandar Abbas in Iran and Abu Dhabi.

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