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Seadream Adds Mayan Riviera, Yucatan, & Belize!
Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from the Seadream Yacht Club and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com SeaDream Yacht Club will introduce a series of seven-day, Mexican Yucatan Peninsula and Belize sailings, with three unique itineraries. They a The Yachtsman’s Mayan Riviera, The Yucatan Explorer and The Mexico-Belize Eco-Adventure. SEADREAM YACHT CLUB ADDS MAYAN RIVIERA, YUCATAN PENINSULA AND BELIZE Modifies 2004-2005 Caribbean Itineraries With Sailings in New Dramatic Region SeaDream Yacht Club will introduce a series of seven-day, Mexican Yucatan Peninsula and Belize sailings, with three unique itineraries. They a The Yachtsman’s Mayan Riviera, The Yucatan Explorer and The Mexico-Belize Eco-Adventure. The new sailings are a modification of SeaDream’s 2004-2005 Caribbean itineraries. Instead of having both its twin, ultra-luxury, mega yachts, SeaDream I and II, sailing in the Caribbean it said it would reposition SeaDream II to the new region between December 2004 and April 2005. SeaDream I will continue to operate the Caribbean itineraries during that period. Commenting on the new sailings Larry Pimentel, CTC, SeaDream’s President and CEO, said “We are always searching for new regions in which to sail and we had received a lot of good comments about this Yucatan area, but frankly, I was skeptical. I knew the area only a big ship destination and we are not a big ship operator but I decided to take a look. “While the area obviously had great appeal for our clientele, the problem was how to develop itineraries in the region that provided a true SeaDream experience: small and intimate yachting ports, away from the crowds and large cruise ships, and in a private and sheltered environment. We found what we were looking for in these three new itineraries that obviously have much to offer SeaDream guests. “Along with doing it the unstructured SeaDream way, there are many highly appealing attractions in the area. On the Mayan Riviera there is a well-developed, upscale resort infrastructure, with world-class resort hotels, fine international shopping and Mexican handicrafts, excellent beaches, sun, surf, all kinds of water sports activity including world-class diving and snorkeling. Elsewhere on the Yucatan Peninsula unique cultural experiences are offered; jungle-shrouded Mayan ruins, tropical rain forests, volcanoes, the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. “Recently the opportunity to offer these unique itineraries became available when Mexican officials presented us with approval to operate in the area now. We jumped at the chance. SeaDream is ideal for sailing in the area just as it is for sailing in the Caribbean and in the European region. Now our guests will have the best of these opportunities. Our clientele is highly discriminating. This is part of our continuing mission to find new and exciting sailing areas for them,” Pimentel stated. He also pointed out that there was excellent air service to the region with many non-stop flights from U.S. cities as well as globally. The three new itineraries feature continuing, back-to-back sailing opportunities for those looking for voyages longer than seven days. Special introductory fares for these new seven-day voyages are from $1,999 per person. “These low prices will be withdrawn and increases will take place as bookings progress,” Pimentel said. Prices are based on double occupancy. Air travel and ground transfers to and from the vessel are not included, nor are government and port and other fees. Introductory prices for year-end holiday sailings are from $3,599 per person. pricing. As with all SeaDream sailings meals are included as is wine with lunch and dinner, gratuities and use of water sports equipment. There is an open bar policy on both the yachts. Guests booked on SeaDream II’s previously-scheduled sailings in the Caribbean, now being changed to The Yachtsman’s Mayan Riviera, The Yucatan Explorer and the Mexico-Belize Eco-Adventure, are being offered a 25 percent reduction on any published SeaDream sailing for 2004-2005---including the new sailings---or a complete refund. Travel agency commissions will be protected. The three new itineraries a • The Yachtsman’s Mayan Riviera---Play and relax on tranquil private beaches with emphasis on water sports including extraordinary snorkeling and diving. Ports are Puerto Morelos (for Cancun), Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Laguna Campechen, Puerto Aventuras, Punta Venado, Puerto Morelos. • The Yucatan Explorer---Explore classic Spanish colonial cities and haciendas, rich natural history and secluded private beaches. Ports are Puerto Morelos, San Felipe, Progresso, Celestun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Punta Venado, Puerto Morelos. • The Mexico-Belize Eco-Adventure---Adventures on the Mayan Riviera and Belize focusing on eco-tourism in the biosphere and water sports on isolated private beaches. This itinerary includes an optional visit to Tikal, the Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Ports are Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, Punta Herradura, Belize City, Ambergris Cay, Punta Venado, Puerto Morelos. SeaDream said it would announce soon a series of optional Land Adventures which will include visits to the Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum, all in Mexico, and Tikal in Guatemala. Other SeaDream Land Adventures will feature snorkeling, diving and deep sea fishing and visits to spectacular nature preserves. Pimentel added: “Our philosophy is to offer discerning and curious travelers a holiday experience far beyond passive sightseeing. Based on my personal experience, the Yucatan delivers this. Our guests are involved whether it is in sporting activities or becoming immersed in the history, culture and natural splendor of the areas in which we sail. “The SeaDream Yucatan experience is not a big ship experience,” he said. SeaDream Yacht Club is the yachting venture by Norwegian entrepreneur Atle Brynestad who founded Seabourn Cruise Line, and Larry Pimentel who was president of Seabourn under Brynestad and later president and CEO of the merged Cunard and Seabourn. Pimentel is President and CEO of the Coconut Grove, Florida-headquartered SeaDream Yacht Club and a co-owner. Brynestad is Chairman. The company operates SeaDream I and SeaDream II, twin, ultra luxury, mega yachts that operate on seven-day sailings in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. The yachts are not only ideal for discerning travelers seeking an unstructured and casual holiday experience but also for small meetings and incentive groups or individual private family gatherings. They are available for full charter. SeaDream I and II shared the top Five-Star Club award in the Berlitz Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships 2003 guidebook and recently in the 2004 guidebook. For the 2004 guidebook, author Douglas Ward created a special category “UTTERLY EXCLUSIVE” for only three vessels he said to be above luxury. Of the three, two were SeaDream I and II. A GLOSSARY OF DESTINATIONS AND ATTRACTIONS’ IN SEADREAM YACHT CLUB’S YUCATAN PENINSULA A GLOSSARY OF DESTINATIONS AND ATTRACTIONS’ IN SEADREAM YACHT CLUB’S YUCATAN PENINSULA • Ambergris Cay---Ambergris Cay is the largest island in Belize. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, it provides sunning and swimming on a beautiful coral beach. It is also a paradise for divers and snorkelers and fishermen. • Belize City---Belize, formerly British Honduras, has a relaxed atmosphere and an abundance of natural beauty. Highlights are the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere and a magnificent rain forest. Belize City offers access to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala, as well as mountain flight-seeing and cave tubing. • Cancun---Cancun is a bustling Mexican resort city. Shopping is popular in Cancun as are swimming and relaxing on one of the world’s best beaches. • Celestun---Celestun is a picturesque Mexican coastal traffic port. A birdlife sanctuary is home to thousands of American Flamingos and countless other species of waterfowl and shorebirds. • Chichen Itza---This Maya city was an important capital between the 10th and 12th centuries. It is the largest site that has undergone major restoration. The area is comprised of the ruins of two ancient cultures, the Mayans and the Toltecs. • Coba---One of the largest of the ancient Maya cities, Coba flourished around 600 A.D. It has the highest pyramid in the region and a concentration of sacbeob, Mayan roads constructed from stone. The ruins were not discovered until the late 19th century. • Cozumel---Cozumel is the largest island in Mexico. It is famous as an underwater paradise for snorkelers and divers. • Laguna Campechen---South of Tulum, Laguna Campechen lies on the northern border of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Maya hand-excavated canals link Boca Paila [the sea entrance] to Laguna Chunyaxche and Laguna Muyil, where ancient ruins are located. Laguna Campechen is also linked creating a vast inland waterway of narrow canals and big lakes. • Playa del Carmen---This is a renowned resort area and offers the best of tropical Mexico. Visit Xcaret, an ecological and archeological theme park that’s great for family entertainment. Easy access to the Maya coastal city of Tulum and Xel-ha, a luxurious coastal inlet made into a snorkel park. Also a great spot to do cave diving and fishing. • Progresso---Progresso is Mexico’s main port in the state of Yucatan. It has fine beaches and a pleasant seaside town. Vendors feature a broad range of Mexican handicraft items. The port city for Merida, a seductive, colonial city of whitewashed Moorish-style houses. • Puerto Aventuras---In the heart of the Mexican Caribbean, Puerto Aventuras is ideally situated for those interested in the ancient Mayan culture. A fine beach, and marina are surrounded by lush tropical beauty. Water sports activities abound. Close by is Tulum, the only Maya walled city on the coast and the eco-park Xcaret. There is a condo community with a nine-hole golf course and restaurant complex that surrounds a dolphin pool. • Puerto Morelos---Only 20 minutes South of Cancun on what is termed “the Riviera Maya,” Puerto Morelos is small and tranquil fishing village inhabited by the descendants of the Mayas. • Punta Herradura---Twenty miles offshore is an excellent reef where SeaDream will position for water sports. • Punta Venado---A perfect beach, a tranquil town, all unspoiled sand natural. That’s Punta Venado. • San Felipe---This fishing village on the northern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, east of Progresso, is SeaDream’s jumping off point for the exploration of Chichen Itza. • Tikal---A monumental Mayan civilization site in Guatemala with towering pyramids looming out of the thick jungle. It was built around 600 B.C. and was an important religious, scientific and political center for more than 100,000 inhabitants. Tikal has been declared a heritage of humanity by UNESCO. • Tulum---Tulum is the only Maya walled-city on the Mexico an Caribbean coastline. The ruins include many well-reserved masonry and stucco buildings resting on limestone bluffs. They were once part of a fortress and lookout station. |
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