Ritz-Carlton’s Custom-Built Luxury Yachts Setting Sail in 2019.
The Ritz-Carlton Takes to the Sea: Itineraries are being developed with an intent to combine the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resorts and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation.
A newly announced venture will give new meaning to curated luxury travel. The Ritz-Carlton Company announced its entry into luxury yachting and cruises. Named The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, this venture created by The Ritz-Carlton, maritime experts Douglas Prothero and Lars Clasen, in collaboration with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, represents a unique foray into the cruise industry for a luxury hotel operator. Beginning in 2019, the company will offer bespoke cruises on three lavishly built yachts.
Throughout the journey, guests will indulge in a cruising style that is unparalleled in the ultra-luxury cruise and private yachting sectors.
The first of three lavish cruising yachts in this series is scheduled to take to sea in the fourth quarter of 2019, and distinguishes Marriott International as the only provider of luxury accommodations both on land and at sea.
The first ship will cruise a wide variety of destinations depending on the season, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Due to the intimate size of the vessel, the yacht will call at unique locations typically not accessible to large cruise ships, from Capri and Portofino to St. Barths and the old town of Cartagena. Reservations will open in May 2018. The ships of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection are also available for private charter.
The specially designed small capacity vessel will measure 190-meters, accommodate up to 298 passengers, and feature 149 suites, each with its own private balcony. The yacht will also feature two 138 square-meter lavish duplex penthouse suites, with modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and leading cruise ship design firm, Tillberg Design of Sweden.
The Ritz-Carlton yachts will feature a restaurant by Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz- Carlton, Wolfsburg; a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa; and a Panorama Lounge and wine bar, offering a wide variety of on-board entertainment. Additionally, the yacht will offer one-of-a-kind curated destination journeys through collaborations with local chefs, musicians and artists.
