Sponsored By

Ritz-Carlton branches out to N. Europe in 2025 as sales open for three yachts

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveiled summer 2025 itineraries for Evrima, Ilma and third yacht Luminara, including the brand's first Northern Europe cruises.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

December 13, 2023

3 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

'With Luminara, we are not just adding another superyacht to our fleet; we are expanding the horizons of ultra-luxury travel,' said Jim Murren, executive chairman and CEO.

Luminara's new residential suite category

Scheduled to make its maiden voyage on July 31, 2025, Luminara will measure 794 feet/242 meters and accommodate up to 452 passengers. In addition to 226 spacious suites, each with a terrace, Luminara have an assortment of larger suites, akin to 2024's Ilma. Among the range of upper-suite categories will be a new expansive accommodation, the residential suite.

Luminara will offer evolving world-class dining, an extensive wine collection, a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa and an expanded dynamic marina.

The interiors are by Chapi Chapo Design, the internationally acclaimed Toronto-based luxury design firm; AD Associates, the renowned London-based architectural and design firm; and celebrated lighting designer DPA. Luminara's color palette includes soft brown oak, Calcutta marble, leather accents, and touches of red, navy and green.

The yacht’s exterior design is by Helsinki-based Aivan.

Ilma charts the North and Baltic seas

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's summer season, spanning from April to October 2025, includes 53 itineraries, featuring new ports, shore excursions and nine voyages aboard Ilma in Northern Europe.

Ilma will inaugurate journeys in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, visiting cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Reykjavík, Belfast, Bergen and Antwerp.

The fleet will continue to visit yachting havens in the Greek Isles, the Balearic Islands and the French and Italian rivieras. Ports include Toulon, Marbella, Kos and Bordeaux.

Among the curated excursions is a private helicopter tour to a wine tasting nestled at the foot of Mallorca's mountain region. In Livorno, travelers may sail the city's canals in a boat exclusively for guests of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection before disembarking for a mixology class with a world-class bartender. Panoramic views of Portofino Bay await voyagers at the elegant Hotel Splendido where guests will have a lunch of traditional Italian recipes, paired with one of Italy’s most precious ingredients: olive oil.

Luminara highlights

The maiden voyage seven-night round-trip from Civitavecchia (Rome) on July 31, 2025, calls at Livorno (overnight), Portofino, Monte Carlo, Corsica and Sardinia..

A seven-night Barcelona round-trip on Aug. 21 gives two days to explore Rome and the chance to kayak the Ligurian coastline and visit the scenic countryside around Collioure that inspired artists like Matisse and Picasso.

Ilma journeys

Wine connoisseurs and novices will get the opportunity to sip port in Portugal, taste Rioja in Spain and spend two days exploring the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux on this nine-night cruise from Lisbon to Portsmouth departing June 29. Culinary delights are complemented by cultural marvels like Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum and the bbey of Mont-Saint-Michel perched on a tidal island near Saint-Malo.

Ilma's July 24 weeklong cruise from Copenhagen to Stockholm affords visits to the 17th-century naval port of Karlskrona, the 18th-century fortress guarding Helsinki and the medieval Old Town of Tallinn. While exploring five countries, travelers can shop for Baltic amber in Gdansk and try Swedish pancakes and smoked salmon in Mariehamn.

On Aug. 17, Ilma will embark on a seven-night round-trip from Reykjavík, giving access to the waterfalls and thermal baths around Akureyri, the mountains and glaciers near Grundarfjörður and remote villages amid raw natural beauty. The yacht will sail as far north as the Arctic Circle.

Evrima sampler

On June 5, 2025, Evrima will embark on a weeklong Venice trip highlighting Adriatic culture, cuisine and history. Travelers cam stroll the narrow medieval streets of the Old Towns in Kotor and Zadar, sip Croatian wine as the sun sets on Dubrovnik and tour the 15th-century Venetian palace in Koper’s historic center.

A nine-night cruise round-trip from Piraeus on June 27 features an overnight in Istanbul and a affords a visit to Ephesus. Evrima will also go Greek island hopping through destinations including Skiathos and Mykonos.

Look for a feature on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's growth plans in the December issue of Seatrade Cruise Review, out this week

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like