Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection goes on sale

Claiming to be the first luxury hotelier to take its hospitality and design concept to sea, the company said it would “transform the luxury cruising industry” when the inaugural season of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection starts in February 2020.

The hotelier has ordered three yachts, the first of which will cruise the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada and Northeastern US.

The inaugural sailing will be from Fort Lauderdale on February 5, with a 10- night cruise starting from £6,100, calling at Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Barbados.

Further voyages will range from seven to 10 nights with ports including Cartagena, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Mykonos and Portofino.

“The opening of reservations marks an exciting milestone for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which is set to redefine luxury at sea,” said Doug Prothero, chief executive of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Each 190-metre yacht will accommodate up to 298 passengers in 149 suites, including two 158 square-meter Owner’s suites, each with its own private whirlpool. They are being designed jointly by The Ritz-Carlton and Tillberg Design of Sweden.

Sailings will be all-inclusive of gratuities, WiFi and watersports from the yacht’s marina, as well as onboard activities, dining and beverages. Guests will find they pay extra for Aqua, the yacht’s signature restaurant designed by Michelin-starred chef Sven Elverfeld, spa treatments, and shore excursions.

“From the yacht’s design, to programming onboard and ashore, every aspect of the voyage has been carefully created to embody the signature service and casual luxury of a Ritz-Carlton resort,” said Lisa Holladay, global brand leader for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

A new website has full details of itineraries, pricing, and onboard experiences, with potential guests able to browse for voyages by region, departure date or ports of interest. Visitors to the site can also download a digital brochure for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

The yachts will also be available for private charter.