Greer's OC

Next year, you could be booking a trip on a luxury Ritz-Carlton cruise. The Ritz-Carlton just announced its getting into luxury yachting and cruises – bringing the award-winning luxury hotel brand’s service and timeless style to sea. The first of three lavish cruising yachts in this series, named  The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, is scheduled to embark in the fourth quarter of 2019, and distinguishes Marriott International, as the only provider of luxury accommodations both on land and at sea.

Itineraries are being developed with an intent to combine the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resorts and the freedom of a yachting vacation. Voyages will range from seven to ten days. 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.

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 onboard experience will reflect the comfort and unparalleled level of individualized guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized; a first in the cruise industry.

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, allowing guests to experience the locations in unique and experiential ways, both onboard and ashore.

Reservations will open in May 2018. The ships of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection are also available for private charter. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/yachts.