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Ritz Carlton Yachts

Quote:

CHEVY CHASE, MD – June 22, 2017 – The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., part of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), today announced its entry into luxury yachting and cruises – bringing the award-winning luxury hotel brand’s service and timeless style to sea. Created by The Ritz-Carlton and maritime experts Douglas Prothero and Lars Clasen, in collaboration with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., The Ritz-Carlton will provide luxury hospitality service under a long-term operating agreement. Named The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, this venture represents a unique foray into the cruise industry for a luxury hotel operator. The first of three lavish cruising yachts in this series is scheduled to take to sea in the fourth quarter of 2019, and distinguishes Marriott International as the only provider of luxury accommodations both on land and at sea.

“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will have a distinctive personality and the vessels are sure to be true stand outs in some of the most glamorous ports around the world,” said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. “This unique combination of yachting and cruising will usher in a new way of luxury travel for guests seeking to discover the world in a relaxed, casually elegant and comfortable atmosphere with the highest level of personalized service.”

Itineraries are being developed with an intent to combine the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resorts and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation. Calling at intimate and signature destinations alike, voyages will range from seven to ten days. The first ship will cruise a wide variety of destinations depending on the season, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Due to the intimate size of the vessel, the yacht will call at unique locations typically not accessible to large cruise ships, from Capri and Portofino to St. Barths and the old town of Cartagena. With a relaxed pace, that includes both overnight and daytime ports of call, guests will be offered a uniquely curated destination experience.

The specially designed small capacity vessel will measure 190-meters, accommodate up to 298 passengers, and feature 149 suites, each with its own private balcony. The yacht will also feature two 138 square-meter lavish duplex penthouse suites, with modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and leading cruise ship design firm, Tillberg Design of Sweden. The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and unparalleled level of individualized guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized; a first in the cruise industry.

“The Ritz-Carlton is known for its legendary service and high standards,” said Douglas Prothero Managing Director, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “We are delighted to collaborate with The Ritz-Carlton as our hospitality operator in offering the most exclusive yachting experience to be found at sea in a venture that will give new meaning to curated luxury travel,” continued Lars Clasen, Managing Director, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

Throughout the journey, guests will indulge in a cruising style that is unparalleled in the ultra-luxury cruise and private yachting sectors. The Ritz-Carlton yachts will feature a restaurant by Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg; a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa; and a Panorama Lounge and wine bar, offering a wide variety of on-board entertainment. Additionally, the yacht will offer one-of-a-kind curated destination journeys through collaborations with local chefs, musicians and artists, allowing guests to experience the locations in unique and experiential ways, both onboard and ashore.

Reservations will open in May 2018. The ships of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection are also available for private charter. For more information, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/yachts.

Source

Interesting.. As Seabourn and Silversea have scaled larger; there does seem to be some desire to have that small ship feeling. As someone who has sailed the smaller former Seabourn ships and Seadream, I appreciate the small ship aspect of causing (or yachting). I find the the current Regent/Seabourn ships are just too large to deliver a luxury product.... I'm not a huge RC fan but would be interested to see how this pans out...

FDW

Ritz-Carlton cruises actually look very promising. I also hate the idea of a large cruise ship, so the smaller size of these ships appeals to me.

3 days cancellation policy? sorry couldn't resist! :D

It's uncharted territory and I'm also interested to see how it pans out. Sure it's going to be in the cost range of the FS luxury plane culinary trip.

Interesting find. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to some pictures, itineraries, etc.

I am intrigued. Personally, the RC have served me well in the past, and, am enjoying/fan of their RC Reserve products. This might be my ticket back into the cruise scene.

I believe R-C is heading in the right direction. I love their properties in Japan and Hong Kong, as well as the Reserves. Vienna, Moscow, Georgetown, South Beach, FLL, and NY CPS are also quite nice.

So far, everything about these "yachts" looks promising.

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Originally Posted by Aventine (Post 28477213)

It's uncharted territory and I'm also interested to see how it pans out. Sure it's going to be in the cost range of the FS luxury plane culinary trip.

It will be interesting to see how it is priced. I don't think it will be quite as expensive as the FS Jet, but likely significantly more expensive than cruise lines such as Regent seven seas.

We have to wait and see if Ritz Carlton (Marriott) know how to even run a cruise line. Very different animal from hotels.

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Originally Posted by wripro (Post 28478514)

We have to wait and see if Ritz Carlton (Marriott) know how to even run a cruise line. Very different animal from hotels.

I assume they are poaching people from competitors to run the venture.

That said, I think the devil will be in the details. If it's run like an RC in Asia, this could be pretty nice...

Low capacity, this seems very interesting. Hopefully a little bit lower than FS Jet options. Could be an enticing offer

This could be the first true luxury cruise line. Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn don't really offer a luxury product although that is their claim.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wripro (Post 28478514)

We have to wait and see if Ritz Carlton (Marriott) know how to even run a cruise line. Very different animal from hotels.

It can't be that difficult. And if they have half a brain, they'll get the right people to help with that I am sure.

Apart from the scheduled cruises, which will likely tie in with R-C hotel and resort itineraries, the possibilities for charter all over the world are endless. It expands the horizons of luxury travel to places heretofore uncovered by luxury hotels and/or cruise lines.

This is nothing new. Sea Goddess started this style of cruising as a yacht experience in 1984 with the introduction of the Sea Goddess I. One year later, Sea Goddess II was introduced. These ships were privately owned by a Norwegian Company. We were on the inaugural Mediterranean Cruise in 1985 of SGII. The ship held 102 passengers. There were 80 crew for 102 pax. Everything was. included. We could have as much Beluga caviar as we wanted at any time of day, unlimited alcoholic beverages(finest brands), rare wines, unlimited access to the Captain's Bridge. Guests were offered menus at mealtimes but we could theoretically order anything we wanted. Chefs purchased fresh fruit and vegetables in the local ports. Because the draught of the ship was so shallow, we sailed to such places as Porto Cervo, Portofino, Bonifacio, St. Tropez, Capri, St. Barths, as well a tiny, unexplored islands in the Caribbean, Indonesia, Australia, Seychelles and South America. Unfortunately, about 3 years after the ships were launched, the economy went south and the ships were purchased by Cunard. There was not a noticeable change in service, the exception being that many Scandinavian crew members were replaced by Asian crew members, primarily from the Philippines. We had a great run of about 15 years. The ship is back in the hands of a Norwegian company. We made a lot of lasting friendships on those voyages.
Itineraries are being developed with an intent to combine the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury resorts and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation. Calling at intimate and signature destinations alike, voyages will range from seven to ten days. The first ship will cruise a wide variety of destinations depending on the season, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Due to the intimate size of the vessel, the yacht will call at unique locations typically not accessible to large cruise ships, from Capri and Portofino to St. Barths and the old town of Cartagena. With a relaxed pace, that includes both overnight and daytime ports of call, guests will be offered a uniquely curated destination experience.
"The specially designed small capacity vessel will measure 190-meters, accommodate up to 298 passengers, and feature 149 suites, each with its own private balcony. The yacht will also feature two 138 square-meter lavish duplex penthouse suites, with modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and leading cruise ship design firm, Tillberg Design of Sweden. The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and unparalleled level of individualized guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized; a first in the cruise industry".[/I]
Edited to add:
Sea Goddess is now Sea Dream

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatW (Post 28479047)

This could be the first true luxury cruise line. Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn don't really offer a luxury product although that is their claim.

Sea Goddess was the "first true luxury cruise line."

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Originally Posted by obscure2k (Post 28479744)

Sea Goddess was the "first true luxury cruise line."

I never cruised the Sea Goddess but have Sea Dream. While the service (even on the Sea Dream) was a sort of casual luxury, the accommodations definitely weren't. Even when the boats were originally built I don't believe they approached anything close to luxury. However the ships are in fantastic shape, even for being over twenty years old. I wouldn't hesitate to cruise them again today... however I bet the RC cruise lines are going to approach a true luxury hard product. Hopefully the soft product will match.

Fdw

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDoctorwu (Post 28479853)

I guess "luxury" is a subjective word. I have experienced more luxury on my Sea Goddess voyages than I did in some of the finest hotels in the world. Our suite was nothing like the Windsor Suite at the Ritz and surely did not have a bathtub built for two.;) Our suite, was comfortable, beautifully appointed, had adequate closet space but the "luxury" was knowing that we were able to have anything we wanted at any time of the day; be it Cuban cigars for my husband, going for a ride on a speedboat off the stern of the ship; dancing the samba around the tiny pool on deck 3 while sailing through South America or drinking champagne and eating a cheeseburger at 3:AM in the Jacuzzi. I guess my definition of "luxury" is having every whim indulged by friendly, caring professional staff.