Discover the New Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, a Hotel at Sea

“The Ritz–Carlton brand has a longstanding legacy of innovation, and the Ritz–Carlton Yacht Collection builds on our commitment to remain at the forefront of luxury travel, introducing experiences that did not previously exist,” Chris Gabaldon, Senior Vice President of Marriott International Luxury Brands, shares with Galerie. “Through Evrima we have completely reimagined luxury cruising, providing our guests with a highly-curated yacht-style experience that reflects the lifestyle of our Ritz–Carlton hotels and resorts. From the elegant design, incredible culinary offerings, and culturally immersive itineraries, we have carved out our own distinct space within the industry. Notably, we are finding that the experience appeals to guests who would have not previously considered a cruise, but who are interested in the highly-personalized service and yacht-style itineraries that we offer.”

The interiors of the boat are immediately impressive, reminiscent more of a luxury hotel or residence. From the passerelle, guests step directly onto the main deck, which leads into an expansive room dubbed “the Library.” There, plenty of plush seating arrangements can be found amid floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with a selection of art and design books, providing the perfect space to relax with a coffee or cocktail after a day ashore. Polished metal, wood finishes, and an abundance of glass make up the overall contemporary aesthetic.

The spacious, light-filled suites also feature special design touches, particularly the two-story suites, which include entry on both levels. The lower level includes a king bed with an observation window out to the ocean, while a modern living and dining area is found on the upper, along with a private terrace. A personal concierge is assigned to each room.

Superior dining experiences are a key highlight of the trip. Evrima boasts five different  venues, including the Pool Lounge on the fifth deck, where breakfast is served as well as casual poolside dining classics; Talaat Nam on deck six, which is an indoor-outdoor restaurant specializing in Southeast Asian fusion cuisine; and Mistral, found on deck eight, offering Mediterranean fare. Finally, the star of the experience is certainly S.E.A., which stands for Sven Elverfeld Afloat. It is modeled after Elverfeld’s Michelin three-starred restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, Germany, and features a degustation menu with paired wines.

Setting the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection experience apart from the rest is surely the curated selection of personalized shore experiences in each stop. On a seven-night journey from Barbados to Puerto Rico, for example, where the boat travels through the winter, the yacht stopped each day in a new location (except for one 24-hour stint sailing at sea) offering activities for every kind of traveler, from snorkeling at the Jacques Cousteau Marine Park in Pigeon Island or horseback riding on the mountainous terrain of Guadeloupe to sunrise yoga and a tropical beachside breakfast at Carricou. An open-air marina platform offers direct access to variety of water sports while at anchor, creating the distinct experience of being on a superyacht.

“The Ritz–Carlton Yacht Collection has created an entirely unique offering in the space and it’s been exciting to see how guests use and enjoy the ship,” founder of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Douglas Prothero shares with Galerie. “The highly-personalized service and connection created between our guests and the Ladies & Gentlemen of the Ritz–Carlton Yacht Collection set us apart. Our guests feel completely cared for onboard, and combined with the intimate size of Evrima and our distinct yacht-style itineraries, we are providing guests with a memorable introduction to the yachting lifestyle.”

With only 200 guests aboard at any one time, it never feels crowded and there are plenty of areas to escape to if yearning for privacy or quiet time with a book. “Every element was carefully considered during the creation of Evrima,” says Prothero. “We wanted the yacht to be a destination in and of itself and to reflect the legendary service, impeccable design, and memorable experiences of the Ritz–Carlton hotels and resorts on land. There is a significant amount of space per passenger onboard, so our guests can truly create the experience that they want to have, with plenty of places to be social, or space to retreat and relax. Our guests truly feel as though they are on their own private superyacht.”