Ritz-Carlton's New Ship Charts a Course for Luxury

In 2022, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveiled its 298-passenger Evrima, the first hotel-branded superyacht. Two years later, it became famous for those sceptical of traditional cruises. With 50% first-time cruisers and 20% repeat bookings, the yacht line is a success.

Ritz-Carlton's second yacht, the 448-passenger, $600 million Ilma, debuts on September 2, marking a pivot for the brand. However, the journey has been challenging. The superyacht Ilma will be the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s second new build. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company owns it. Its inaugural yacht, Evrima, embarked on its maiden voyage in October 2022. The Ilma superyacht is being constructed in collaboration between the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The keel-laying ceremony in March 2023 marked the start of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. The vessel floated out in September 2023 and is set to embark on its maiden voyage in September 2024.

Design and Features

• Finand-based design studio Aivan designs Ilma’s exterior, while British architectural and design company AD Associates and lighting designer DPA provide the interior design.
• The 46,750-ton (t) Ilma, meaning ‘water’ in Maltese, will measure 790ft long and 95.5ft wide.
• The superyacht will feature 11 decks, eight guest decks, and can accommodate 448 passengers and 378 crew members.
• Ilma is set to become the first yacht in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to use liquefied natural gas as fuel. To further minimise environmental impact, the superyacht will also feature an advanced water treatment system, an efficient heat recovery loop, and LED lighting.
• The vessel will be equipped with four Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines and one selective catalytic reduction system for each engine to reduce the nitrogen oxide levels in the engine’s exhaust gas.

Accommodation

• The superyacht Ilma will feature 224 suites, all with private terraces. Suite categories will include Owners', Concierge, Ilma, View, Grand, Signature, and Terrace suites.
• The largest is the Owner’s Suite, which will have an area of 732ft² to 1033 ft², with a terrace covering 581 ft2 to 721 ft2. There will be eight Owner’s Suites spread across decks seven to nine.
• The Concierge suite will offer up to 786ft² of interior area and a private open-air terrace of up to 409 ft². The four Concierge suites will be spread across decks six to nine.
• The four Ilma suites, with 506ft² to 657ft² of space, including a terrace covering 291ft² to 301ft², will be located on deck six. The two View suites, with 517ft² to 689ft² of space, will be located on deck seven, with a terrace covering 108ft² to 205ft².
• The ship will have 32 Grand suites spread across decks six to nine. The suites will offer 560 ft² of living space, including a terrace with 90 ft² to 199 ft² of space.
• Ilma’s 77 Signature suites will be located across decks six to nine. They have 409ft² of living space and an expanded terrace ranging in size from 71ft² to 151ft².
• A total of 92 Terrace suites will be available from decks five to nine. The Terrace suites will offer 294ft² of living space and a 52ft² to 108ft² terrace. Five additional Terrace suites will also be available upon request for Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant specifications.

Dining Options

• The Ilma superyacht will offer various dining choices, including speciality restaurants and casual poolside eateries.
• The ship's restaurants will include the Ochre Room on deck three, serving seasonal menus based on the destinations. The Ochre Room will also feature a private enclave called Dining Privee. This area will be reservation-based and will incur additional fees.
• Fine Dining will offer a speciality dining experience with cuisines inspired by Europe’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Talaat Nam, located on deck four, will feature Southeast Asian cuisine. The Pool House will be an open-air poolside eatery.
• Mistral on deck 10 will feature a menu inspired by the Mediterranean. The Living Room will offer coffee and pastries in the morning and then transition into a bar in the evenings. The yacht will also provide in-suite dining options for guests.

Entertainment and Other Venues

• The Marina and Marina Terrace on deck three will provide ample space for lounging and direct access to the sea for activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water sports.
• The amenities will comprise a Pool Deck with an Infinity Pool, the Living Room lounge, which will also include a library, and the Boutique, which will offer shopping experiences for guests.
• The ship will also include live musical performances and shows at different venues onboard. On deck nine, the Observation Terrace will provide panoramic views of the sea and shore during the day and will turn into a cocktail bar with live entertainment in the evenings.
• The Bar lounge will serve premium labels worldwide and offer champagne and caviar pairings. The Humidor Lounge will offer a selection of cognac and premium hand-rolled cigars.
• The superyacht will offer an educational programme for children called Ritz Kids.
• The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Barber and Salon services and a fitness studio will be located on deck four. The Salon will offer beauty and hair services such as manicure and pedicure treatments, hair consultations, cutting, styling, and blow drying.
• The fitness studio will feature yoga mats, bikes, rowers, ellipticals, free weights, and other equipment for guests.

Itinerary

Ilma will sail on its first journey in September 2024 for a seven-night trip from Athens, Greece, to Haifa, Israel.