Seeking a new kind of ocean adventure? Then you’ll be excited to learn that The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is bringing its personalized guest services to ultra-luxury cruising, with reservations beginning May 2018.
New Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
“As a brand, (we’ve) wanted to enter the luxury cruise market for more than 10 years… And since there are only four small luxury ships in operation and those ships are each 20+ years old, we felt that now was a better time than ever to enter the luxury cruise market…”
– Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., told Forbes.
What distinguishes the line from traditional cruises?
Artist’s rendering of one of the new yachts (Credit: Ritz-Carlton)
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will focus on three to-be-built small-scale vessels. Each will accommodate 298 passengers, along with 236 crew members to assure that guest requests are met. Ships have been designed by Tillburg Design of Sweden, a leader in cruise ship design. The first vessel will set sail in late 2019; the others will soon follow in 2021 and 2022.
Each of the 149 suites aboard the vessels will boast its own private balcony. If you need space to spread out, there are even two duplex penthouses available.
Where will the ships sail?
Exclusive destinations not normally accessible to larger ships, such as Lipari Islands and Capri – and itineraries of four ports for 7-day trips and six to seven ports for the 10-day journeys – will echo the charter yacht experience. Seasonal excursions will include the Caribbean, Latin America, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with itinerary choices of appeal to even the most discerning traveler.
A unique experience for travelers
“This unique combination of yachting and cruising will usher in a new way of luxury travel for guests seeking to discover the world in a relaxed, casually elegant and comfortable atmosphere, with the highest level of personalized service,” said Humler.
Adding to the opulent offerings are the Wolfsburg, a three-starred Michelin restaurant from Sven Elverfeld of Aqua; on-board entertainment offered in the Panorama Lounge and wine bar; and a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa. Voyages will incorporate local musicians, chefs and artists into both onboard and ashore activities.
Proposed view of the marina deck on the new yachts (Credit: Ritz-Carlton)
We’re super pleased to see the Ritz-Carlton resort brand extending their hospitality service to open waters on their new luxury small-ship cruise line. When it comes to small-ship cruising to far-flung destinations, travelers should have plenty of good options to choose from (we wrote earlier about Ponant, which is launching four new luxury expedition ships). It looks like The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will also offer tickets to remarkable cruising adventures.
We’re ready to book. Are you?
IF YOU GO
- The Ritz-Carlton Yachts (Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
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