A daily tariff of approximately Rs. 50,000 per person did not deter 87 Indian couples from travelling on board a mega yacht famed globally for its award-winning cuisine and service during the past eight months.
The yacht made its maiden stop-over at Kochi on Wednesday, eight months since SeaDream India began operating in a big way. Savouring the entrapping ambience and dream cuisine of the yacht ‘SeaDream’ were 112 highly affluent guests. They include an Indian couple from Mumbai celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.
The president of SeaDream Yacht Club India Sudesh Kishore told mediapersons who were taken on a tour of the vessel about how chartering the ship for a week for Rs 3.50 crore is cheaper than a day’s big ticket wedding at a high-end hotel in Mumbai or New Delhi. Though none from Kerala has so far opted to travel on board, he spoke of how the seafaring culture is catching up across India. “Yachting is new here, unlike in the U.S. where many people prefer yachts to houses.”
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The economy of ports of call benefit from such vessels, since they carry hi-end customers who care only for experience and not money. Celebrities who travelled on board include the Prince of Monaco and Hollywood stars.
Cuisines
About cuisines on offer, Mr Kishore said that it’s all about ‘confluence cuisine’, a combination of food items from around the globe, including India, prepared by speciality chefs. Being the cream among discerning travellers, most guests prefer ‘wellness cuisine’.
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From Kochi, it set sail for Colombo on Wednesday evening and will end its voyage at Singapore.