The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sails three yacht-style cruise ships under the Ritz-Carlton hotel name. The line was announced in June 2017, developed by Canadian maritime executive Douglas Prothero with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, and is run by Cruise Yacht OpCo, which Oaktree controls; The Ritz-Carlton, part of Marriott International, supplies hospitality services under a long-term agreement.
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About The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Its first ship, Evrima, was ordered from a Spanish yard that collapsed during construction and debuted more than three years late, in October 2022. Two larger, LNG-powered sisters from Chantiers de l'Atlantique followed: Ilma in 2024 and Luminara in 2025. The ships carry between 298 and 452 guests.
Every suite has a private terrace, reported crew numbers come close to one per guest, and fares cover dining, drinks and gratuities. Itineraries favor smaller ports and longer stays over fixed daily programs, and a fold-out marina is used for swimming and water sports. The yachts sail the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Asia and the South Pacific, and guests earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points on voyages.
What The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is known for
The line's appeal rests on Ritz-Carlton hotel service at sea: all-suite ships with private terraces, near one-to-one staffing, inclusive fares and Marriott Bonvoy recognition for elite members. Its path has been rocky, though. Evrima's debut slipped by more than three years after her first shipyard failed, and in June 2026 the Financial Times reported that the company had lost nearly $700 million since its founding and borrowed more than $1.5 billion. Reporting on the resulting refinancing, in which lenders delayed repayments and the controlling shareholders committed another $275 million, tied the losses to low occupancy, and the line now competes with new luxury entrants from Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman.
Who it's for
Luxury · small ships, a high crew-to-guest ratio, most extras included
- Couples
- Food lovers
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection suits travelers who already like Ritz-Carlton hotels and want that style of service on a ship of a few hundred guests, with suites, terraces and drinks included. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points and get recognition on board, and couples looking for a quiet, yacht-like trip in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Asia are the natural audience. Travelers on a budget, families wanting children's programs, and anyone who wants big-ship entertainment should look at other lines.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 5/5
- Dining
- 5/5
- Entertainment
- 3/5
- Service
- 5/5
- Pools & decks
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 3 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
- #6 of 20 · Best cruise lines for food lovers
- #7 of 12 · Best luxury cruise lines
- #7 of 50 · Best cruise lines for couples
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- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vs Silversea Cruises
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vs Crystal
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vs Four Seasons Yachts
Where The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sails
Ships
Best rated
#14.3 ★Evrima2022 · 25,400 GT · 298 guests · South Pacific · MediterraneanEvrima is the first ship of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, a 190-meter yacht-style ship with 149 suites, each with a private terrace, for up to 298 guests. She was ordered in…#24.3 ★Ilma2024 · 46,750 GT · 448 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanIlma is the second ship of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and the first in its fleet powered by liquefied natural gas, a ship of about 46,750 gross tons with 224 suites for up…
#34.3 ★Luminara2025 · 46,750 GT · 452 guests · Asia · AlaskaLuminara is the sister ship of Ilma and the third ship of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire, handed over on June 3, 2025, and…Every ship, by class
Ilma class
2 ships · 2024–2025 · 46,750 GT · avg 4.3 ★
Other ships
1 ship · 2022 · 25,400 GT · avg 4.3 ★
Where to fly in
- Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT)1 The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ship sails from Papeete, Tahiti
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)1 The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ship sails from San Juan, Puerto Rico4 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection known for?
The line's appeal rests on Ritz-Carlton hotel service at sea: all-suite ships with private terraces, near one-to-one staffing, inclusive fares and Marriott Bonvoy recognition for elite members. Its path has been rocky, though. Evrima's debut slipped by more than three years after her first shipyard failed, and in June 2026 the Financial Times reported that the company had lost nearly $700 million since its founding and borrowed more than $1.5 billion. Reporting on the resulting refinancing, in which lenders delayed repayments and the controlling shareholders committed another $275 million, tied the losses to low occupancy, and the line now competes with new luxury entrants from Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman.
Who is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection best for?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection suits travelers who already like Ritz-Carlton hotels and want that style of service on a ship of a few hundred guests, with suites, terraces and drinks included. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points and get recognition on board, and couples looking for a quiet, yacht-like trip in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Asia are the natural audience. Travelers on a budget, families wanting children's programs, and anyone who wants big-ship entertainment should look at other lines.
Where does The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sail?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's ships in service sail Caribbean (2 ships), Mediterranean (2 ships), Alaska (1 ship), Northern Europe (1 ship), Transatlantic (1 ship), Asia (1 ship) and South Pacific (1 ship).
How is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection rated?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's fleet averages 4.3 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 3 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Evrima at 4.3.
How many ships does The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection have?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has 3 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Evrima, Ilma and Luminara.
What ship classes does The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sail?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sails 1 class of ship in service: Ilma class (2 ships), plus 1 ship not in a named class.
Who owns The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is part of Oaktree Capital Management.
Where is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection based?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. It has operated since 2017.
What is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's loyalty program called?
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's past-guest loyalty program is Marriott Bonvoy.
What is the largest The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ship?
Ilma is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's largest ship at 46,750 gross tons, carrying 448 guests.
Cruising with children
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has its own family arrangements, separate from the land-based hotel brand. Check the yacht’s program before assuming a hotel’s rules apply.
Read the The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
House wine is included in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's fares, so you may not need a drinks package. If you'd want cocktails or premium wines, enter what they cost.
House wine is included in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's fares, so you may not need a drinks package at all. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection FAQ ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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