Between securing swanky resort stays, coordinating unforgettable experiences, organizing quiet escapes and getting every little detail just right, travel advisors are no strangers to helping their clients plan and execute the luxurious getaways of their dreams. Despite the volatile nature of the travel industry, the luxury travel niche has enjoyed ongoing success over the last several years. And, as we approach the next decade, companies like Expedia Group are predicting the segment’s success will only continue to boom as the luxury travel industry is estimated to hit a staggering value of $2.63 trillion by 2030. That’s a massive number, and it asks a pressing question of travel pros: if you aren’t already selling luxury travel, what are you waiting for?
To help give advisors a better idea of what’s trending in luxury travel now, we chatted with Bob Lepisto, CTC and president of SeaDream Yacht Club, a company offering ultra-luxury, all-inclusive yacht voyages, to learn more about the trends the brand is seeing at sea and how advisors can get in on the action.
SeaDream Yacht Club’s Travel Trends at Sea
According to SeaDream, there are four major trends at sea in 2026: Cultural Cruises, Astro-Tourism, Quiet-Cations/Remote Travel and the rise of what the brand calls the “Yachting, Not Cruising” lifestyle.
- Cultural Cruises: Vacationers are sailing to bucket list events like the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and continuing the set-jetting trend of visiting destinations featured on film including places like Scotland for Outlander fans.
- Astro-Tourism/Remote Travel: As travelers plan more trips around natural phenomena like the Northern Lights, solar eclipses, animal migrations and more, SeaDream Yacht Club says people are turning to its “Sleeping Under the Stars” experience to bundle cruising and solar eclipse viewing.
- Quiet-cations/Remote Travel: In a world that often feels busy, cruising on one of SeaDream’s 56-cabin yachts can be a welcomed escape. According to the brand, travelers are continuing the quiet travel trend by sailing to uncrowded and remote destinations like the Andros Islands in the Bahamas, Fajardo Bay in Puerto Rico and Trollfjord in Europe.
- “Yachting, Not Cruising” Lifestyle: A different way to hit the Seven Seas, SeaDream says yachting allows travelers to embrace a vacation with no queues, flexible schedules, customizable dining, activities launched directly from the ship and so much more.
“We are most excited about the shift toward “Yachting, Not Cruising” as a lifestyle,” said Lepisto. “It reflects a broader redefinition of luxury, one that prioritizes time, space, and meaningful experiences over scale and spectacle. With a slower pace and more personal atmosphere, it allows for a deeper connection to each destination.”
Lepisto went on to share that the pivot toward yachting over traditional cruising is a natural choice for some vacationers. “Travelers are drawn to this style [of travel] because it feels more intimate, unhurried, and tailored, with a level of care and access that traditional cruising can’t replicate,” he said. “The main differences come down to scale, access, onboard community, and service. Yachting operates on a much smaller scale, allowing access to small harbors that larger ships can’t reach. With fewer guests, there’s a stronger sense of community onboard, paired with a near 1:1 service ratio that makes the experience feel highly personal.”
How Can Travel Advisors Qualify Luxury Clients?
According to Lepisto, asking the right questions is the most essential step when qualifying clients to determine if they’re a good fit for a brand like SeaDream Yacht Club. “When talking to your clients, ask as many questions as possible to understand their interests and past travels,” he said. “What hotels have they stayed in? Do they love places like Las Vegas with big hotels and casinos? If so, they may not be the best fit for SeaDream Yacht Club. Do they consider themselves active, adventuresome, outdoor oriented, and a water lover? If so, they most likely would be a great fit for SeaDream Yacht Club. Have they ever done a river cruise? If they like that, then they would most likely love our SeaDream Coastal Yachting.”
Working With SeaDream Yacht Club
Interested in learning more about working with SeaDream? Lepisto says much of the brand’s business comes directly from travel pros — and they offer commission, too! “[Advisors] who introduce SeaDream Yacht Club to their clients love the fact that most of our guests rebook their future voyages while on their first one,” he said. “If the booking was made by a Travel Advisor, the Travel Advisor on the record gets full credit for that future booking.
Still not sure who to book? Groups and travelers celebrating special occasions are a great place to start. “Travel advisors also love promoting and escorting small groups on SeaDream [as] they know our service levels and cuisine will exceed their clients’ expectations,” said Lepisto. “Travel advisors have also been successful in selling Full Yacht exclusive charters. If they plant the right seeds (asking the right questions) we are the perfect answer for a Destination Wedding at Sea, a family reunion, or a milestone event.”
As far as education, SeaDream Yacht Club hosts regular webinars geared towards travel pros, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the brand. Best of all, webinars are recorded, so advisors can always catch up on past webinars by requesting a link.
When a client does request a booking, Lepisto recommends acting fast. “Those who book SeaDream Yacht Club early get the best choice of staterooms, voyages and also the best price,” he said. “We revenue manage and increase our prices as the bookings come in. As a boutique yachting experience, SeaDream Yacht Club must be recommended by professional travel advisors. Our marketing budgets are small, so in most cases, your clients will only hear about SeaDream Yacht Club if you promote us or they hear glowing reports from our past friends or relatives of theirs.”
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