The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has taken delivery of its second ship, the Ilma in a handover ceremony.
It will be the second vessel to join the Ritz-Carlton fleet. Sized at 240 metres, she will be slightly larger than her sister ship, the Evrima which launched in 2022.
The company’s third ship, the Luminara will launch in 2024 at 242 metres.
The ship was delivered in a handover ceremony at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire France which was attended by the executive chairman and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Jim Murren and its president and CEO, Ernesto Fara.
Also present were representatives from Chantiers de l’Atlantique including the general manager Laurent Castain and senior vice president of sales and marketing and project director, Arnaud Le Joncour. Also in attendance was Captain Steve MacBeath and more than 350 of the yacht’s crew.
“Today marks the culmination of a shared vision and the relentless pursuit of excellence, a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of all those involved,” Murren said. “We are deeply grateful to the exceptional teams here at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, whose hard work and passion have brought this vision to life.”
“Ilma represents a collaboration of two likeminded organizations committed to excellence, offering the best in both hospitality and shipbuilding,” Le Joncour said.
“The design and construction of Ilma has been a distinctive project for Chantiers de l’Atlantique that has elevated the highest luxury standards in terms of guest experience, technical innovation, and craftsmanship. We are incredibly proud to deliver an ultra-luxury cruise product that achieves both elegance and performance.”
The Ilma’s maiden voyage will be from Monte Carlo in Monaco, departing on September 2, 2024. The ship will be able to accommodate 448 guests in its 224 suites and the ship will have five restaurants, seven bars as well as a wine vault and The Ritz-Carlton Spa.
The ship will also have an expanded marina with a mezzanine and there will also be three dedicated fitness spaces.
The brand also unveiled its plans to expand its Yacht Collection to the Asia-Pacific region with Luminara offering 10 voyages between December 2025 and May 2026.
The cruises will visit 28 ports across 10 countries including Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and more.
“As luxury travellers continue to seek unforgettable, personalized experiences around the world, we are thrilled to introduce voyages in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Murren.
“These new itineraries exemplify our steadfast commitment to continually raising the bar in luxury cruising, offering innovative ways to experience our super yachts and explore vibrant local cultures across the globe.”
The 10 cruises will range between 10 to 15 nights and will depart from either Tokyo, Hong Kong or Singapore.
Here is a sample of four of the itineraries on offer:
- During the 14-night Singapore to Hong Kong voyage, toast the New Year with a celebration aboard Luminara and relax on the beaches of Koh Samui before sailing for an overnight stay in Bangkok. Vietnam tells tales of history in the subterranean Cu Chi Tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City and in the capital of Hanoi, which can be explored during a stay in Hạ Long Bay.
- The 12-night Hong Kong to Singapore voyage explores the islands of the Philippines, including the forested mountains and white sand beaches of Busuanga, El Nido and Puerto Princesa. The itinerary also visits the island of Borneo with its beaches and Bako National Park near Kuching which is home to proboscis monkeys.
- The 10-night Tokyo round-trip voyage visits Japan during cherry blossom season, when the blooms blanket the grounds of Osaka Castle and accent the views of Mount Sakurajima from Kagoshima. This voyage also calls on UNESCO World Heritage Sites ranging from the floating shrine and peace memorial of Hiroshima to the remains of Christian castles and cathedrals in the Nagasaki region.
- The 12-night Tokyo to Hong Kong voyage explores Osaka, while the UNESCO-listed castles of Himeji, Nara and Kyoto are also nearby. South Korea’s capital of Seoul has its own UNESCO palaces along with traditional villages offering authentic cuisine and crafts. During an overnight in Shanghai, guests can experience a performance of the ancient art of acrobatics before sailing for Hong Kong.
