Ritz-Carlton launches luxury yacht cruises, with fares starting at £4,000
The Ritz-Carlton hotel chain has launched the first of its new luxury yacht collection, after a three-year delay caused by the pandemic and supply-chain issues.
Evrima embarked on its maiden voyage from Barcelona on Saturday (15 October), en route to Nice. The specially designed 190-metre vessel can accommodate 298 passengers on a cruise holiday that emulates a billionaire’s superyacht lifestyle.
Prices start at £4,003 per person per week for seven-day Caribbean voyages and £5,020 per week for a seven-day Mediterranean voyage.
Evrima — the first of three Ritz-Carlton liners to be launched — boasts a restaurant designed by a three-Michelin-starred chef, personal assistants, four swimming pools, a champagne bar, nightclub and a high-end spa.
As well as 24-hour room service, the yacht offers seven bars and restaurants, including S.E.A, a fine dining destination designed by Sven Elverfeld, the head chef of three-Michelin-starred Aqua.
Most voyages on Evrima range from seven to 10 nights, with ports of call ranging from the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, depending on the season.
“Every element of the luxury yachting experience was considered when designing and creating Evrima,” says Douglas Prothero, chief executive for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “We are excited to deliver unforgettable journeys for both longtime cruisers and those who are new to the industry.”
In addition to offering plenty of large suites, Evrima also features several expansive two-story loft suites, and a 1,098sq ft “owner’s suite”, which includes two bathrooms and a private balcony with a private whirlpool. All rooms feature a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The hotel chain has seen great demand for cruises, with almost all cabins on Evrima reportedly sold out for this winter’s trips around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Evrima is set to be followed by two more identical yachts – Ilma and Luminara – currently in-build at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The yachts of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection are also available for private charter, for those with the deepest pockets. Prices are available on request.
The Ritz-Carlton is not the only hotel brand moving into the yachting sector. Earlier this year, Four Seasons announced it is launching a fleet of luxury passenger ships, the first of which will set sail in 2025.
The company’s new business extension – Four Seasons Yachts – is a partnership between Nadim Ashi and Philip Levine from Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, and shipbuilding group Fincantieri. The full fleet is expected to be ready within five years.