Ritz-Carlton’s New Superyacht Line: Game-Changer or a Threat to Traditional Yachting?
Credit: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
There’s an intriguing new player docking at the port of the yachting industry: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
With the launch of Evrima (2022), Ilma (2024), and the upcoming Luminara (2025), the iconic hotel brand has made big moves and boldly ventured into the world of high-end seaborne experiences. The question on the collective minds of those involved in the commercial yachting industry is: Does this hybrid of ultra-luxury cruising and yachting pose a threat to traditional vessels and their crew?
Let’s take a look at these new-age yachts and discuss whether they’re here to change the game or take part in it.
The Rise of Hotel-Branded Yachting
What is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection?
Ritz-Carlton is an opulent hotel chain that operates hotels and resorts in countries across the world.
Known for its high-end luxury and silver service, the Ritz-Carlton has included yachting among its existing hospitality offerings. This has industry professionals feeling like the line between private superyacht charters and high-end cruising is being blurred.
Differing from traditional cruise ships by offering an intimate, personalized, and ultra-lavish experience, the Ritz-Carlton’s new fleet of yachts is in keeping with the signature 5-star service their esteemed brand is known for.
Credit: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Why Luxury Travellers Are Lapping This Model Up
Ritz-Carlton's yachting model is potentially disrupting traditional ownership and chartering by offering:
Zero Ownership Stress: Guests can make the most of a bedazzling yachting experience without crew management, maintenance, or operational concerns.
Exclusive But Easy Travel: Catering to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), this new model of yachts provides extravagant experiences without the logistical demands of traditional yacht ownership
All-Inclusive Simplicity: Unlike traditional superyacht charters, pricing and services are transparent, removing negotiations and additional fees from the equation.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: A Breakdown of the Fleet
Evrima | Credit: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Ilma | Credit: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Luminara | Credit: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Evrima: The Pioneer
Launched in 2022, Evrima marked The Ritz-Carlton's inaugural entry into luxury yachting. Measuring 190 meters, Evrima accommodates 298 guests across 149 suites, each featuring a private terrace. The yacht offers Michelin-starred dining, a world-class spa, a marina platform for water sports, and an infinity pool.
Key Features:
149 suites with private terraces, averaging 300 square feet.
Multiple dining venues, including offerings curated by Michelin-starred chefs.
A full-service spa, infinity pool, marina-style platform for water sports, and a curated art collection.
Ilma: Raising the Bar
Launched on September 2, 2024, Ilma builds upon the success of Evrima, pushing the boundaries of space and exclusivity. At 790 feet, it accommodates 448 guests across 228 suites, all featuring private terraces. Ilma boasts the highest space-to-guest ratio at sea, creating an intimate and refined experience.
Key Features:
A full-service Ritz-Carlton Spa with 11 treatment rooms.
Five distinct dining venues, with one helmed by a Michelin-starred chef.
A curated art collection, including works by Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Picasso.
Eco-conscious design, running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) to minimize environmental impact.
Luminara: New and Improved
Anticipated to debut this year (2025), Luminara is set to further cement Ritz-Carlton’s influence in luxury yachting. While specific details are emerging, Luminara is expected to uphold the brand’s dedication to innovation and luxury. It will accommodate 452 guests across 226 suites, featuring unique design elements across intimate and public spaces.
Key Features:
State-of-the-art spa, fitness center, and open-air lounges.
Multiple dining venues offering diverse culinary experiences.
Powered by LNG, reflecting a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
226 suites designed with unique elements, each with a private terrace.
The Challenge to Traditional Yachting Models
Ritz-Carlton’s superyacht line shouldn’t be seen as a direct threat to the foundations of the yachting industry, but it’s possible that the introduction of its new luxury models could disrupt the lower-tier charter market. Through the provision of hassle-free, luxury-clad experiences, yacht buyers and charter clients who prefer convenience over exclusivity may gravitate more toward these new offerings.
Potential Impact on Superyacht Charters
Exclusivity, customization, and premium privacy: that’s what chartering a private yacht has always been about.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has, however, found a model that offers a similar level of luxury with added convenience, possibly leading charter clients away from traditional operators.
While a superyacht charter can cost anywhere from $150,000 to over $1 million per week, a Ritz-Carlton yachting experience offers an alternative at a (possibly) lower and more predictable cost. For clients who prioritize service and amenities over absolute privacy, this might be a compelling alternative.
Changing the Definition of Yachting
Traditional yachting is about exploration, independence, and a bespoke experience at sea. Ritz-Carlton’s model propagates a more pre-set, curated approach which some may enjoy, while others (like seasoned yachting clientele) may find it less favorable.
So does this then water down the exclusive nature of the superyacht lifestyle, or does it expand access to a previously niche market? It depends on how you define yachting.
If you equate yachting with privacy and freedom, Ritz-Carlton’s approach is a departure from tradition. For travelers seeking ultra-opulent convenience, it could be the perfect fit.
A Threat to Yacht Ownership?
To own a superyacht is to invest in a lifestyle that comes with considerable costs, including crew salaries, maintenance, insurance, and operational expenses. The Ritz-Carlton model eliminates these burdens while continuing to deliver the prestige of yachting.
Could this give potential yacht buyers pause for thought? Perhaps, particularly those looking at smaller vessels (30 – 50m range) as an entry yacht. For convenience and consistency, Ritz-Carlton’s yachts may appeal to individuals who want luxury without the ownership responsibilities.
But for HNWIs accustomed to bespoke services, absolute privacy, and holistic itinerary control, a private yacht remains the ultimate swagger statement.
Why Traditional Yachting Will Adapt and Evolve
Take it from us at YachtieWorld, traditional yachting isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The fact is, private yachts signify more than being the world’s fanciest possession; they are emblematic of a particular lifestyle that only the world’s super-elite can enjoy.
Customization & Privacy Still Win
Private yacht charters offer what no hotel-branded yacht can:
Total control over itineraries
Full privacy with no shared spaces
Personalized menus, entertainment, and services
Unlike a Ritz-Carlton yacht, which accommodates hundreds of guests, a private superyacht offers a completely exclusive experience, tailored to the owner's or guest's exact wants and needs.
The Yacht Industry’s Competitive Response
Yacht builders and charter companies are not standing still. Leading shipyards such as Feadship, Lürssen, and Benetti are hard at work with:
Futuristic yacht designs
Hybrid propulsion and eco-friendly technology
Fractional ownership models to attract new buyers
Meanwhile, charter companies are focusing on immersive experiences like expedition-style charters, adventure yachting, and remote-destination cruises that cannot be replicated on a Ritz-Carlton vessel.
Superyacht Culture Is More Than Just Luxury
Superyachting isn't just about comfort and service—it's about the freedom of the open ocean, the relationships with the crew, and the ability to go wherever you want, whenever you want. These idylls ensure that true superyacht enthusiasts will not trade in their traditional experience for a hotel-branded alternative.
Fret Not for There Are Plenty of Fish in the Sea
For those who prioritize privacy, customization, and the bespoke nature of yachting, traditional ownership, and chartering will remain the ultimate expression of luxury at sea.
Ultimately, rather than replacing traditional yachting, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection may serve as a gateway by introducing new audiences to the yachting lifestyle and possibly converting some guests into tomorrow’s yacht owners.
For now, the future of yachting remains as exclusive, evolving, and exciting as ever.
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