SeaDream Yacht Club has officially claimed the top spot for the finest dining experience at sea, as recognised by the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards.
The family-owned boutique cruise line’s SeaDream II received a coveted four-star rating for its onboard restaurant – one of only five cruise ship dining venues to be honoured globally and one of just three to earn four stars.
Now in its 67th year, the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards are regarded as the benchmark in luxury hospitality, with up to 900 individual criteria assessed by anonymous inspectors.
This year’s results reflect the growing appetite for intimate, authentic, and bespoke luxury travel experiences.
A Dining Experience Unlike Any Other
“Dinner in SeaDream II’s dining room is an unhurried ritual, where every course feels like a celebration,” reads the official Forbes review. “There are no rushed seatings or fixed schedules – just exceptional cuisine, impeccable service and the lingering pleasure of a meal that feels tailor-made for you.”
SeaDream’s culinary team is lauded for its focus on locally sourced ingredients and dishes crafted à la minute.
With a daily-changing menu and open seating, the line offers guests the freedom to dine when, where, and how they wish – whether under the stars, in the open-air restaurant, or in the elegant indoor dining room.
Guests can enjoy everything from freshly grilled seafood to globally inspired gourmet dishes, all enhanced by SeaDream’s famously personal service. In fact, with just 112 guests aboard and a nearly 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio, each diner is treated as a VIP.
I have to say that I completely agree – when I sailed with SeaDream I definitely thought it was the best food I’ve ever eaten on a cruise.
And they have some fantastic vegan options – some of the best of any cruise line!
Additional Recognition for SeaDream II
In addition to the four-star dining accolade, SeaDream II itself received a “Recommended” rating from Forbes Travel Guide, making it one of just 14 cruise ships to be recognised in 2025.
The rating highlights not only its culinary excellence, but also the broader luxury yachting experience the vessel offers.
“From the moment you step aboard SeaDream II, you’ll feel less like a cruise passenger and more like a guest aboard a private yacht,” Forbes noted.
The ship is able to visit smaller, less tourist-heavy ports like Portofino, St. Barts, and Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, providing a more exclusive travel experience than traditional cruise lines.
“This recognition is a true reflection of the passion and precision our culinary team and crew deliver every day,
“We take great pride in offering nothing but the finest dining experience at sea.”
Andreas Brynestad of SeaDream Yacht Club
With its mantra “It’s Yachting, Not Cruising,” SeaDream Yacht Club distinguishes itself from larger cruise lines by offering a boutique experience aboard two casually elegant mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II.
Each accommodates a maximum of just 112 guests, with 95 crew members providing highly attentive service across seven- to 15-day voyages to hidden harbours and exclusive destinations.
Guests enjoy all-inclusive luxury, including premium wines and spirits, gourmet dining, a full water sports marina, crew gratuities, and curated shore experiences.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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