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SeaDream I is the star of London on first ever visit

SeaDream I was the star of the River Thames during her first ever visit to London.

She was given an enthusiastic welcome from the riverside tugged backwards under Tower Bridge to take up her berthing point besided HMS Belfast on Saturday afternoon for a two-day showcase.

SeaDream I makes a dramatic exit under Tower Bridge at the end of her two-day visit

It followed a transatlantic crossing to the UK for the people of London to get their first ever glimpse of a SeaDream luxury yacht.

The journey was also in preparation for her drydock in Hamburg where she is bound, without passengers, tomorrow afternoon (May 8).

SeaView boarded the sleek vessel this morning for a preview of the ship, although editor David Simpson was already familiar with her luxurious surroundings having sailed on her sister, SeaDream II, in the Caribbean several years ago.

SeaDream I alongside HMS Belfast in the shadow of Tower Bridge ©seaviewcruises.co.uk

But an added bonus was being able to spend a few minutes with SeaDream owner Atle Brynestad, a pioneer in luxury cruising having founded and built the first ships of Seabourn.

In a rare interview he said he hoped the visit to London would be the first on many, especially to the UK where he knows his vessels are extremely popular with British cruisers.

SeaDream I berthed alongside HMS Belfast in the River Thames ©seaviewcruises.co.uk

Prompted on whether he had an intentions to increase the size of the fleet, he said there were no other current ships that matched the SeaDream brief but would not rule out the chance that he might consider a new build.

“SeaDream is very successful and we are always planning, looking at drawings,” said Atle. But he stopped shoprt of committing himself to anything new in the immediate future.

The stunning view of Tower Bridge from SeaDream I  ©seaviewcruises.co.uk

He said he had helped generate new styles of luxury vessels, first with Seabourn and then with SeaDream, which, he emphasised, were yachts as opposed to cruise vessels.

SeaDream president Bob Lepisto, fresh in from Miami, made a short presentation on board in which he reinforced the fact that their product is about exclusive, luxury yachting, satisfying the whims of 100 passengers.

The SeaDream vessels are also chartered for special occasions and company events, and was recently taken over exclusively for a wedding. You could expect a three-dasy wedding ceremony and cruise to set you basck in the region of $250,000.