In late 2022, we noticed the launch of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment. Whereas I’d say that that is Marriott or Ritz-Carlton’s entry into the cruising world, in actuality that is only a licensing settlement. Nonetheless, it is a fairly particular product. Not solely are you able to earn and redeem Bonvoy factors for Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment itineraries, however this truly appears to be a prime notch product, aggressive with the perfect cruise traces on the market.
I haven’t taken a take a look at the cruise line because it launched, so on this put up I needed to take a better take a look at Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment, as I’m possibly contemplating reserving one among these cruises.
What are Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment ships like?
Up to now, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment has one ship, with two extra anticipated within the coming years. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment’s first ship is Evrima, and it’s 624 toes lengthy, weighs 25,400 tons, and it has 149 suites that may accommodate 298 company. That is consistent with the dimensions of the extra boutique ships that you simply’ll discover within the trade these days.
As of the summer season of 2024, we’ll see the introduction of Ilma, which will probably be fairly a bit bigger. That ship will probably be 790 toes lengthy, will weigh 46,750 tons, and may have 224 suites that may accommodate 448 company.
So if you happen to worth a extra intimate cruising expertise, you’ll positively wish to choose Evrima over Ilma, although everyone seems to be in search of a special vibe.
Regardless of the smaller sizes of those ships, they nonetheless characteristic loads of facilities. For instance, within the case of Evrima:
- The ship has a number of eating shops, together with The Evrima Room (the principle all-day eating restaurant), S.E.A. (the specialty restaurant at an additional cost), Talaat Nam (a Southeast Asian restaurant), The Pool Home (an informal all-day eating restaurant), Mistral (a Mediterranean restaurant), and The Residing Room (that includes drinks and snacks)
- The ship has a Ritz-Carlton Spa with 5 therapy rooms, a magnificence lounge, a grooming salon for males, a sauna, a steam room, a rest space, and naturally a 24/7 health heart
- The ship has quite a lot of different facilities, starting from a marina and marina terrace, to a pool with whirlpools, to a youngsters membership, to a smoking lounge, to an commentary lounge
What are suites like on Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment?
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment markets all of its lodging as being suites, every with an ocean view and out of doors terrace.
Entry stage lodging are the Terrace Suites, which boast 300 sq. toes of inside house, and 54-81 sq. toes of exterior house. In the meantime the highest suite is the Proprietor’s Suite, and that provides 1,091 sq. toes of inside house, and 635 sq. toes of exterior house.
So whereas all lodging are generously sized, arguably a 300 sq. foot room isn’t precisely big.
The place do Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruises go?
As you’d anticipate for many luxurious, non-explorer cruise traces, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment usually sails within the Caribbean in winter, and in Europe in the summertime. Itineraries fluctuate by the week, and you’ll discover all of the sailings right here. Most journeys vary in size from 5 to 11 nights.
How costly are Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruises?
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment’s pricing varies significantly, relying on the kind of journey you’re reserving. Pricing is mostly per individual primarily based on double occupancy. Be aware that if you happen to’re touring alone, you’ll must pay 200% of the fare, that means you’ll be paying double if touring alone.
Simply to offer a common pricing vary primarily based on what’s at present on the market, one of many cheaper cruises is an 11-night transatlantic crossing that begins at $6,900 per individual (~$630 per individual per day), whereas one of many costlier cruises is a peak summer season seven-day Mediterranean cruise, which begins at $11,400 per individual (~$1,630 per individual per day).
What’s included with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruises?
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruises are kind of all-inclusive. Along with the lodging, charges embody eating and drinks (at eating places and bars, and in your suite), gratuities, onboard leisure, premium Wi-Fi, and marina-style platform entry with non-motorized water sports activities.
What’s not included? Eating on the specialty restaurant (S.E.A.), spa remedies, choose premium drinks, and so forth.
Does Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment take part in Marriott Bonvoy?
For these of us who’re into miles & factors, one of many cool issues is that Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment participates in Marriott Bonvoy:
- You’ll be able to earn 5x Bonvoy factors per greenback spent on cruises, and earn elite nights for the variety of nights of your cruise; the spending even counts towards Ambassador standing
- You’ll be able to redeem Bonvoy factors, with 180,000 Bonvoy factors saving you $1,000 on a journey
- You’ll be able to reap the benefits of choose elite advantages
How do you guide Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruises?
You’ll be able to guide Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruises both instantly by means of the cruise line, or by means of a journey advisor. If you wish to guide direct, you’ll have to take action by cellphone, by calling 833.999.7292.
Nonetheless, you may as well work with a journey advisor — you gained’t pay something additional, and so they could even have the ability to add some additional perks. They will additionally add your Marriott Bonvoy quantity to the reservation, as these can be qualifying reserving for these functions.
How do Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment and 4 Seasons Yachts examine?
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment isn’t the one cruise line related to a luxurious resort model. 4 Seasons Yachts is predicted to launch by early 2026. How do the 2 cruise traces examine?
Nicely, there’s little question that 4 Seasons Yachts is a step up over Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment by way of luxurious:
- Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment’s present ship is marginally smaller than the 4 Seasons Yachts’ ship, however has 57% extra rooms (149 keys vs. 95 keys)
- 4 Seasons Yachts’ entry stage suites are 58% bigger than Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment’s suites (473 sq. toes vs. 300 sq. toes)
Whereas 4 Seasons Yachts gives a extra intimate expertise, it’s additionally priced considerably greater:
- 4 Seasons Yachts cruises usually begin at $3,000 per suite per evening (that worth is per suite, not per individual)
- 4 Seasons Yachts cruises aren’t all-inclusive; they embody breakfast, non-alcoholic drinks, and light-weight snacks, however don’t embody lunch, dinner, or alcohol
So whereas Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment is dear to start with, it’s considerably inexpensive than 4 Seasons Yachts.
Has anybody been on a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruise?
A part of the explanation that I’m writing about this now’s that I’m significantly contemplating reserving a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruise, so I’ve been doing a little digging myself.
For some background, as a child I used to be sort of obsessive about cruises, however that the idea hasn’t had a lot enchantment to me previously 20 years. Nonetheless, over the previous couple of years I’ve been warming as much as cruising as soon as once more, and it’s one thing I’d love to do once more sooner or later, particularly now that we’ve got a child, so cruising looks as if a straightforward trip.
We had truly booked a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruise again when the idea was first introduced, however as a consequence of delays, our crusing ended up getting canceled, and we couldn’t discover a good itinerary on which to rebook.
Frankly I’d be curious to attempt each Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment after which 4 Seasons Yachts when it launches, to see how they examine. Whereas that is solely a licensing settlement, I nonetheless discover this type of resort and cruise crossover to be fascinating.
Right here’s the factor, although — to me the best good thing about a cruise is having the ability to discover locations you’ll be able to’t simply discover by land, no less than with good lodging choices. On the floor, I’ve little curiosity in taking a cruise the place the place you’re simply visiting ports you could simply journey to in any other case.
That’s additionally sort of my situation with a few of these itineraries — the locations are largely sort of bland, and locations which can be greatest seen by land. The cruise line that almost all intrigues me is PONANT — not solely does PONANT have small ships, however so lots of the voyages look superior. PONANT has journeys to all over the place from Antarctica, to Greenland, to Iceland, to smaller Pacific Islands. That’s the sort of stuff I’d wish to see if I’m going to take a cruise.
Nonetheless, I’m even coming round to the idea of a cruise to a spot I won’t in any other case contemplate to be that thrilling. It simply looks as if a soothing and pleasant journey, and there’s one thing good about being at sea. That’s why I’m additionally curious if any OMAAT readers have taken a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment cruise, and if that’s the case, what was the expertise like?
Backside line
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment is Marriott’s entry into the cruising world, no less than by means of a licensing settlement. One ship has now been crusing for a bit over a yr, whereas the subsequent ship ought to begin crusing within the coming months. This looks as if an all-around very luxurious expertise, and I’m positively intrigued.
What do you make of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment?
