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Thursday, 16 February 2023
4 luxury hospitality giants have now unveiled ultra-luxury 'yacht' cruises — see what it means to set sail with Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Evrima.
Christopher Cypert
Luxury hospitality companies have been expanding into the cruise industry.
Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Aman, and Orient Express have all recently announced or begun operating cruise lines.
See what it'll be like sailing aboard these four luxury company's "yachts."
Massive luxury hospitality brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons are increasingly pursuing life at sea with new cruise brands.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
And unlike traditional cruise lines, these high-end companies are all promising glitzy cruise vessels (or "yachts" as they call it) with amenities like helipads and restaurants designed by Michelin-starred chefs.
The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection.
The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
It's clear these brands, which include the likes of Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons, are targeting a different demographic from companies like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Let's take a closer look at the four new players.
Four Seasons
1. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Evrima.
Christopher Cypert
In October 2022, iconic luxury hotel company Ritz-Carlton launched its first cruise ship, the 623-foot Evrima.
Francisco Martinez
The popular new cruise company now has five to 13-night itineraries into late 2024 with ports of call across Europe, the US, and Central and South America
The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection.
No two itineraries, which start at $3,700, will be the same.
Courtesy of Tillberg Design of Sweden
Taking a closer look at the new vessel, the Evrima has 149 suites for almost 300 travelers.
Francisco Martinez
Onboard amenities include a spa, infinity pools, personal trainers, a marina with access to the ocean …
Christopher Cypert
… and dining venues like the "S.E.A" designed by the chef of Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg's three Michelin-star restaurant.
The Ritz Carlton
From the water misting on the pool deck to the cold towels offered to guests when they first board the ship, travelers can expect the typical Ritz-Carlton treatment at sea.
Christopher Cypert
We're less than a year out from the nascent cruise line's entry into service but Ritz-Carlton already has plans to expand this cruise arm.
The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection.
The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
In 2024 and 2025, the new brand will build its second and third ships: the Ilma and Luminara, respectively.
The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection.
Another competitor in the luxury hotel space, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, is also sailing into the yacht-like cruises industry.
Four Seasons
We're still two-and-a-half years from Four Seasons Yachts' late 2025 debut but the hotel giant has already revealed a handful of details about its first unnamed ship.
Four Seasons
The 679-foot-long vessel will have 95 suites lined with tall ceilings and terraces.
Four Seasons
Each suite — which ranges up to a four-level 9,600-square-foot accommodation with a private spa and pool — will cost about $4.2 million to build.
Four Seasons
These suites will accommodate the ship's 11 bars and restaurants, spa, and like the Ritz-Carlton, a marina with water toys.
Four Seasons
The ship will be constructed by shipbuilding giant Fincantieri. This Italian company has also built vessels for popular cruise lines like Disney, Carnival, and Norwegian.
Four Seasons
3. Aman Resorts
Facebook/Amanresorts
Aman Resorts has locations around the world and the title of operating New York City's most expensive hotel.
The Aman Sveti Stefan resort in Montenegro.
In 2025, it'll grow its ultra-luxurious hospitality footprint into the cruise industry as well.
The spa in the Aman Tokyo hotel in Japan.
Agent Wolf/Shutterstock
Aman is working with Cruise Saudi and SINOT Yacht Architecture and Design to build and operate "Project Sama," a 600-foot ship with 50 balcony-lined suites.
Aman
Aman hasn't released full details about the project but we can expect to see unique spaces like a Japanese garden, a beach club with access to the water, and two helipads.
Aman
4. Orient Express
Black-tie glamour still rules on the century-old Orient Express from London to Venice, which passes through Paris while you’re having dinner and brings aboard fresh-baked croissants when the train stops in Switzerland.
Hubert Fanthomme/Paris Match/Getty
Unlike the previous three companies, Orient Express isn't a traditional hotel group.
Belmond
However, it still holds its ground in the luxury travel world with its famous niche: luxury trains. And soon, maybe cruises as well.
The new Vienna suite.
Belmond
In January, Orient Express announced its plan to build the Silenseas, a luxury cruise ship that'll sail in 2026.
The Orient Express Silenseas will sail in 2026.
Like Aman, we don't have many details on the project yet. However, we do know that this 720-foot-long vessel will sail with 52 suites, a speakeasy bar, and two swimming pools and restaurants.
A rendering of the Orient Express Silenseas.
Martin Darzacq
To target high-income travelers, the cruise ship will have accommodations like a 15,000-square-foot suite with a 5,700-square-foot terrace.
The Orient Express Silenseas will sail in 2026.
Martin Darzacq
Orient Express has partnered with shipbuilding company Chantiers de l'Atlantique and hotel giant Accor Group for this new project.
A rendering of the Orient Express Silenseas.
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