evrima yacht wikipedia

First look: Inside the new Ritz-Carlton cruise ship Evrima, which finally debuts this week

Evrima is finally here. Really. Or so they say.

The long-delayed debut of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection , the new cruising arm of luxury hotel chain Ritz-Carlton , will actually happen on Saturday, according to the company. Its first ship, the 298-passenger Evrima, is finally finished and will begin its first sailing.

The brand even sent photos to prove it.

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As you can see in the Ritz-Carlton-shot images on this page, Evrima is an upscale, yachtlike vessel with a sleek, sloping front that will be right at home nestled among the megayachts anchored off Monaco or St. Barts.

As the company promised when it announced the brand, the 10-deck-high vessel's interiors have an elegant, residential look designed to appeal to Ritz-Carlton regulars. Among marquee spaces is the top-of-the-ship Observation Lounge, which offers views over the bow from curving, floor-to-ceiling windows. There's also an interior "living room" that will serve as a central gathering point on the ship, photos of which the brand did not provide.

As can be seen in the photos, Evrima's 149 cabins are spacious. They include two-story Loft Suites that measure 611 square feet, not including 81-square-foot balconies.

There also are two massive, 1,091-square-foot Owner's Suites at the back of the vessel with giant, 635-square-foot wraparound balconies.

The company didn't provide images of the Owner's Suites but offered a peek inside a Loft Suite and smaller Grand Suites and Signature Suites. The latter two categories of rooms still are large by cruise ship standards at 587 square feet and 427 square feet, respectively, not including balcony space. All of these suite categories offer living room space with spots for dining, as well as bedrooms.

As can be seen in the photos, there's also lots of deck-top lounge space for sunning, including a back-of-the-ship area with a small pool on Deck 8 called the Mistral Terrace and a forward-looking area on Deck 9 called the Spa Terrace. The Mistral Terrace doubles as a venue for alfresco lunch and dinner, with a seafood bar and prime cuts of meat grilled to order.

Another lounge space called the Marina Terrace is closer to the waterline at the ship's rear-facing marina area.

In addition to a main restaurant called the Evrima Room, Evrima has four dining venues that, notably, include an a la carte restaurant designed by Sven Elverfeld of the three-Michelin-starred Aqua in The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg in Germany .

There also is a spa on the vessel. The line didn't provide images of the Elverfeld restaurant or the spa.

Evrima's first sailing on Saturday will be a seven-night trip from Barcelona to Nice, France, that will include stops in Spain's Balearic islands of Alcudia and Palma de Mallorca, plus an overnight in St. Tropez, France.

Whether the ship really is ready to run at the sort of luxury level Ritz-Carlton fans expect remains to be seen. The ship has been plagued by construction problems for years, resulting in a succession of eight delays that have pushed back its arrival by nearly three years. The company initially used a shipyard to build Evrima that had little experience constructing upscale vessels .

The repeated delays have led to waves of trip cancellations over the past three years that have left would-be customers frustrated. TPG's inbox is full of emails from passengers on canceled sailings that feel let down by the company.

Assuming Evrima does begin sailing on Saturday, it will be debuting nearly 33 months behind schedule — a backup of a magnitude rarely seen in the cruise shipbuilding space. It was originally scheduled to begin sailing in February 2020.

Evrima is just one of a number of relatively small, yachtlike cruise ships that are coming to market as hospitality brands see demand for intimate, high-end vessels. Emerald Cruises earlier this year unveiled its first yachtlike ocean cruise vessel , the 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra, after several years of only operating river ships. And just last month, luxury hotel chain Four Seasons announced plans to launch a yachtlike, 190-passenger cruise vessel by 2025.

Luxury cruise operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours also is in the midst of adding high-end, 228-passenger, yachtlike vessels .

Rising 10 decks high and with capacity for nearly 300 passengers, Evrima is notably bigger than the vessels operated by these other brands, though it still has a yachtlike shape.

Evrima is just the first of several vessels that Ritz-Carlton plans for its new cruising arm. In March, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection announced that two more vessels for the brand would be built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France — a shipyard with far more experience in cruise shipbuilding than the shipyard that initially built Evrima.

The two new Ritz-Carlton vessels, which will be bigger than Evrima, are scheduled to debut in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

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EVRIMA SETS SAIL ON INAUGURAL SEASON

The highly anticipated debut of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has arrived, as Evrima is now sailing for the world’s yachting playgrounds. Discover an exceptional new way to travel while enjoying the legendary service and luxurious amenities aboard this elegant yacht. Take in the view from your private terrace as you drop anchor off a celebrated shoreline or island hideaway, and head aft to Evrima’s Marina for a refreshing swim in the turquoise sea before exploring ashore.

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What It's Like On Board Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton's First Ship

What to expect on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Evrima, a 149-suite ship with five restaurants, six lounges, and plenty of over-the-top hotel amenities.

Maya Kachroo-Levine / Travel + Leisure

“The great thing about yachting is you’re in complete control — whether you’re at anchor or at a dock,” said Doug Prothero, founder of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection . “We have the ability to make something up as we go along — and that is the yachting lifestyle."

We were drinking iced tea at the Marina, an indoor-outdoor venue hovering 10 feet above the water on the third deck of the Evrima . The yacht, named for the Greek word for “discovery,” was anchored in Alcúdia Bay, just off the northeastern coast of Mallorca, Spain. Stairs led down to a platform from which guests could dive directly into the sea. Prothero called the area, lined with sun loungers, “the beach.”

Maya Kachroo-Levine / Travel + Leisure

Prothero explained how The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection structures itineraries aboard the Evrima . Each all-inclusive sailing (with options for five-, seven-, nine-, 10-, 11-, and 12-night journeys) spends at least two days at anchor, affording guests the choice to stay lounging at sea or take a small tender boat to the nearest port (in this case, Alcúdia, Spain, where some visited the Old Town and one group of golfers even went ashore for a 7 a.m. tee time).

“We’re moving this resort,” Prothero said. “There’s never going to be a Ritz-Carlton in this place.” But there is right now.

The Inaugural Sailing

We’d left Barcelona Cruise Port the night before, on October 15, 2022, for Evrima’ s long-anticipated inaugural journey . We set sail with 220 guests, a handful of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection corporate team members, 245 Ritz-Carlton ladies and gentlemen (as the brand calls those working on board), 1,800 bottles of Moët & Chandon, and one Travel + Leisure editor (me).

Some guests had been waiting three years for this moment, having booked the original inaugural sailing, set for February 5, 2020. It was rescheduled eight times — the result of a shipyard bankruptcy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and myriad supply chain delays. And yes, I did meet travelers who had rescheduled every time, one of whom showed me eight confirmation emails over martinis at the Observation Lounge on deck 10.

Christopher Cypert / Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton

On the other hand, many passengers I met had no idea there were delays — including honeymooners who had booked this trip in January 2022 because it departed exactly a week after their wedding; a solo traveler in her 30s who I joined on a four-hour shore excursion filled with tapas and insights into the Gothic architecture of Palma, Mallorca; and a woman whose husband had surprised her with a 50th-birthday celebration aboard The Ritz-Carlton yacht she kept sending him articles about.

Once the ship sailed from Barcelona , no one was thinking about the ups and downs that preceded our voyage or how we got there. We were focused on where we were going. And it was Saturday night on Evrima .

Bars and Restaurants

I was off to The Evrima Room, the fourth-deck main dining room serving three meals a day. I ordered the charred octopus (all the fish and seafood on board are sourced locally from ports every three days), heirloom tomato risotto, and a lemon tart decked out with mini meringues and sugar-spun ornamentation.

There are four other dining venues (plus 24/7 in-room dining) on the 623-foot-long yacht: The Pool House, on the fifth deck, next to the infinity-edge pool; S.E.A., which stands for Sven Elverfeld Afloat, modeled after the chef’s Michelin three-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, Germany, on deck six; Talaat Nam, an indoor-outdoor Southeast Asian spot designed to physically wrap around S.E.A.; and open-air Mediterranean restaurant Mistral on deck eight. I polled about 20 ladies and gentlemen on their favorite restaurant, and Mistral was the overwhelming favorite. The focal point of Mistral is the pool in the middle of the venue — one of two pools on board — “Plus the sea,” Prothero quipped, “that’s the biggest pool."

All food and beverages are included in the sail price, save the curated 120-bottle reserve wine list, a collection of high-end spirits, and the seven-course tasting menu at S.E.A., which starts at $285 with wine pairings.

Amenities and Entertainment

I left The Evrima Room by 10:30 p.m. to see where people were congregating, first dropping by the fourth-deck Living Room, where a jazz trio was warming up.

There are six musicians on board, including a DJ, as well as local artists who continually rotate in. They play in different configurations, including as a pop group and a jazz trio. Guitarist Craig Stuart told me most had never met before coming together in July in Santander, Spain, where the ship was being finished, to spend the month rehearsing together.

With six lounges on board, nearly every space felt lively, but none too crowded. From The Living Room, we migrated to deck 10 where the cozy, 404-square-foot Humidor, outfitted with a The Macallan cart, Davidoff cigars, and an array of reserve-list whiskies, was — sorry, there’s no other way to say it — poppin’ off. 

The Observation Lounge had similar energy, and folks gathered around as the bartender, OJ, who garnered a band of loyal followers during our time on Evrima, strained my Negroni into a coupe, enclosed it in a glass covering, and pumped in smoke, purely for the spectacle — and to add a smoky je ne sais quoi to my nightcap.

Even the ninth-deck Spa Terrace (one of Prothero’s favorite spots because “when we’re moving, you can see the front of the ship, so the view is amazing”) had a small crowd in the whirlpool. I didn’t linger on the Spa Terrace, but came back the next morning for a deep-tissue massage in one of the five treatment rooms and a sumptuous nap in the indoor-outdoor relaxation area. 

The Staterooms

I ended my night on my private balcony wrapped in a Frette robe, transfixed by the waves of the Balearic Sea rhythmically foaming and curling against the ship. There was plenty of space inside my 429-square-foot Signature Suite to sprawl — a full tub and double vanity in the bathroom, a sitting area, a dining table, and a king-size bed.

Room options range from the entry-level Terrace Suites to the 1,000-square-foot Owner’s Suite, with a private whirlpool. Each of the 149 guest rooms has its own balcony. While the two two-story Lofts and their vast 81-square-foot terraces were the top-tier offering on the inaugural sailing, the two Owner's Suites and four View Suites have since been completed, and are now the swankiest rooms on the yacht. 

Francisco Martinez / Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton

A personal concierge is assigned to each suite, though with schedules printed daily (and posted on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection app) detailing onboard happenings, like sunset stretch and meditation on deck nine, and personalized itineraries, I rarely reached out to mine.

An Impeccable Team

As I met concierges, chefs, the two-person wine team (pro tip: always befriend the sommeliers), and shore excursion pros, I was impressed by their expertise. Of the 245 staff members on board, about half come from the world of luxury hotels and half from the world of high-end cruising. That’s how you bring a hotel concept to sea.

I talked luxury hotel shop with Theo Lakkas, a food-and-beverage lead who opened Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection , in Budapest. Executive chef John Suley came from Stephen Starr’s team and very seamlessly worked a “Wolf of Wall Street” quote into conversation. I learned about head sommelier Sebastian Pacheco’s vision for the reserve wine list — he wanted to pick up a highly sought-after case from every port city to bolster the already-expansive selection. He came from Francis Ford Coppola’s Inglenook in Rutherford, California, and was working there the last time I visited the Napa Valley winery in 2019. 

Sotheby’s-educated art concierge Rafaella Vitale, from the London art advisory world, gushed about the private tours she was planning to do with guests and the mini-auctions she’d curate for each sailing. I watched as Pacheco and Vitale ping-ponged ideas off each other for art-and-wine events they could put on during an upcoming transatlantic crossing, all while sipping Ruinart sparkling rosé from the bottle the three of us were sharing. That particular transatlantic voyage was slated to leave from Lisbon after Evrima’s christening on November 5, sail to Tenerife, Spain, spend seven days at sea, and wind up in Bridgetown, Barbados. Vitale planned to have the Bahamian artist behind the ship's upcoming rotating art exhibit, Lynn Parotti , on board for the crossing and Caribbean sailings.

Guest Rewards

As if it weren’t already apparent that this vessel is, in fact, a luxury hotel at sea by the classic light-blue Ritz-Carlton key cards, Frette robes, Diptyque bath products, and signature oils in the spa used at each of the 108 Ritz-Carlton hotels worldwide, the clearest sign came on our second evening. The ship hosted the “first-ever Marriott Bonvoy member reception at sea,” according to Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano, who Zoomed in for the occasion.

The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program functions for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection much in the the same way it would on dry land: Guests can earn five points per dollar spent on their cruise fare; they can redeem points to reduce the cost of their sailing, with some limitations (an initial redemption of 180,000 points saves you $1,000, and you may then continue to redeem at a clip of 90,000 points for each $500 of savings).

Members will also earn one Elite Night Credit per night (which counts toward Marriott Bonvoy elite status ) and can enjoy a private members-only reception. The higher your status, the more perks you'll have access to, including priority boarding and departure, complimentary laundry services during your cruise, and early access to reservations at S.E.A., among others (depending on your level of status).

Where Evrima Sails — and New Ships on the Horizon

Evrima continued sailing the Mediterranean until the aforementioned transatlantic crossing, after which the yacht spent five months in the Caribbean, visiting idyllic ports of call in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Barbados, and Turks and Caicos, among other islands, before heading back across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in mid-April 2023. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has two more vessels in the works: Ilma , coming in 2024, and Luminara , coming in 2025, each with a 456-passenger capacity.  While The Ritz-Carlton is now the first luxury hotel brand at sea on this scale, Four Seasons and Aman will soon launch ships of a similar size. In 2022, Four Seasons announced a 679-foot, 95-cabin yacht , designed by the same company that worked on the Evrima , Tillberg Design of Sweden , coming in late 2025. Like Evrima , it will summer on the Mediterranean and winter in the Caribbean. Aman’s 50-suite yacht, Project Sama , also slated for a 2025 delivery, is in partnership with Cruise Saudi and will explore the Middle East.

Christopher Cypert / Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton 

I disembarked on Mallorca halfway through the seven-night inaugural sailing, which concluded in Nice, France, on October 22, 2022. When Evrima anchored off the coast of St. Tropez, the Marina, open only when the ship is at anchor, unfolded with floating platforms and a bevy of water toys, like paddleboards, sailboats, kayaks, and snorkeling accoutrements.

From my layover in London, I texted my marketing contact for pictures of Evrima anchored off St. Tropez (it’s called yacht FOMO, OK?). I could just picture what my morning would look like on board: espresso on my balcony, maybe a mimosa at the Marina, a soak in the ninth-deck whirlpool. For the afternoon, I’d move slowly, go ashore when I wanted, if I wanted, probably make it up as I went along. I hear that’s what the yachting lifestyle is all about.

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The Ritz-Carlton Officially Launches Its Luxury Yacht Collection

After a year-long delay, the Evrima has finally set sail

Jalyn Robinson is the assistant travel editor at Dotdash Meredith, working for both Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy. She started at TripSavvy in 2021 and joined Travel + Leisure in 2023, where she writes, edits, and assists with other editorial operations. 

Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

After a year-long delay, the first of the Ritz-Carlton's luxury yacht collection, the Evrima, officially set sail on Oct. 15, transporting eager passengers from Barcelona, Spain, to France. The ship will stop at several ports along the way, including Mallorca, Saint-Tropez, and Antibes, before guests finally disembark in Nice on Oct. 22.

The passengers can experience a new, luxury kind of experience aboard the ship, which the company describes as a blend of the lifestyle of a Ritz-Carlton hotel and the casual freedom of yachting.

 "The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is revolutionizing the luxury cruising industry, creating an entirely unique category designed for those in search of unmatched getaways, highly curated itineraries, insider access, and a level of personalization previously unseen in the space," said Douglas Prothero, CEO of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, in a news release. "Every element of the luxury yachting experience was considered when designing and creating Evrima , and we are excited to deliver unforgettable journeys for both longtime cruisers and those who are new to the industry."

The Evrima perfectly encapsulates what the Ritz-Carlton brand is all about—luxury. There are 149 suites on board, a high percentage of them being larger than average, as well as two-story lofts and duplex accommodations. They all feature a private terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows, taller-than-average ceilings, and amenities similar to what guests find at traditional Ritz-Carlton properties—including luxury linens and toiletries .

Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection / Francisco Martinez

Travelers have several options for food aboard the ship. Evrima’s signature restaurant, S.E.A., is perfect for a specialty eating experience and was curated and designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg . The menu features European-inspired eats. Guests can also dine at Talaat Nam for Southeast Asian dishes, The Evrima Room for locally-inspired meals, and Mistral for a taste of the Mediterranean.

Passengers interested in relaxation can take a trip to the Ritz-Carlton Spa, which offers therapeutic spa treatments with ESPA products. The Salon is perfect for those looking for beauty and hair services and sits next door to The Barber, which offers close shaves and facials.

The yacht is specially designed at 190-meters and features several bars, a pool, and a gym. It is the first of three ships to launch from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. After this inaugural sailing, the ship will travel to destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, each cruise ranging from seven to 11 nights.

At each port, passengers can choose a shore excursion that suits their interests, or they can customize their experiences with the help of the Concierge Ashore. Local and expert guides will lead these excursions, and passengers can choose from various activities, from yoga on the beach to exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites.

To book your cruise or find out more information, visit the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection website .

PR Newswire. " The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Sets Sail. " Oct. 17, 2022

Ritz-Carlton. "Introducing the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection." December 2020.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. " Dining ." Accessed August 18, 2022.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. " The Spa Experience. " Accessed August 18, 2022.

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First Look: Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima, the Luxury Hotel Company's Debut Mega Yacht

Evrima set sail for the first time last week. Photo: Kerry Tice

After multiple delays and much anticipation, the Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima finally set sail on Saturday, Oct. 15 th from Barcelona, Spain to Nice with its first paying guests. The luxury yacht represents the first time the hotel company is entering into the cruise space - and while it’s not quite a well-oiled machine yet, it proved it has the substance to deliver an innovative experience unlike any other in the market.

It’s evident that Evrima’s sleek design, soothing and neutral hues, and contemporary layout were thoughtfully crafted to appeal to a clientele who is seeking relaxation, serenity, and the service they’ve come to expect from the Ritz-Carlton hotel brand. First and foremost, guests were more than pleased with the ample amount of space both in their suites (purposely not referred to as cabins) as well as across the expansive and numerous common areas of this 190-meter vessel. The company promised more square footage per passenger and with just 149 suites and a passenger count of less than 300, guests on board the first sailing were happily surprised with the room to stretch out.

The mega yacht is stunning, truly a floating work of art, featuring spacious suites that all offer balconies and high ceilings, 5 dining venues, various inviting common areas, multiple pools (including an infinity one), a handful of whirlpools, a spa, fitness center, cigar lounge, and watersports marina.

“We are thrilled to introduce The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and usher in an exciting new chapter for this beloved brand,” said Chris Gabaldon, Senior Vice President for Luxury Brands, Marriott International. “The Ritz-Carlton has long been rooted in innovation and service excellence, guided by a commitment to be at the forefront of delivering transformative travel experiences. As we continue to evolve our legendary brand, we could not be more excited to give our guests the opportunity to experience The Ritz-Carlton in a new way.”

Fine Dining Only second to the design of Evrima is the delectable food, which is all included in the fare (with the exception of S.E.A., the Michelin-inspired restaurant). All of the meals on Evrima reflect the best of fine dining, making it truly a highlight of the yachting experience. From delicious snacks and casual fare in The Pool House and Mediterranean-style cuisine in Mistral to Asian fusion and sushi at Talaat Nam and traditional fare in The Evrima Room, each meal is one to savor - and the portions are plentiful too. (Don’t expect buffets on board, as that is not the vibe here, but room service is available 24 hours a day).

Complementing the delightful food and further enhancing the onboard mood are special touches like the Moet champagne that is offered throughout the sailing – everywhere from the spa and poolside to the tender meeting areas upon completion of a long day ashore. In addition, guests will find a bottle in their room and can request that their suites be stocked with specific libations. Rounding out the first-class feel, chocolates and a bottle of wine are also delivered mid-week to the suites.

Suites Speaking of suites, guests can select from Terrace Suites, Signature Suites, Grand Suites, two-story Loft suites, View Suites, and the Owner’s suite. All feature a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows, plus king beds, double vanity bathrooms, luxury linens, and signature Ritz-Carlton bathrobes and slippers. Each suite also comes with its own personal concierge. Concierges can assist with dining reservations, shore excursions, stocking suites with beverages and the like, as well as any specific needs of their guests. Concierges can be contacted by phone via the suite, although many guests suggested that an enhancement would be to add a texting option to the onboard app (which did require some tweaking at the time of sailing).

Rounding out the many highlights of Evrima is the staff – who number nearly as many as the passengers. Their courteous smiles and desire to assist the guests with any task was apparent. From the suite stewards and wait staff to the personal concierges and guest services, the crew of the Evrima is full of pride for this beautiful vessel and they sought to please guests at every turn. This attention to service and detail is reflective of the brand, even when there were elements beyond their control that needed fine-tuning.

Onboard and Onshore  There are no theaters onboard Evrima, but there is still enough entertainment to keep guests engaged and entertained. Guests can relax poolside on comfortable loungers while a live guitarist provided background tunes. In the evening, they can take to The Living Room for a piano serenade, or for a little more excitement, dance on the Observation Deck or Marina Lounge to a live DJ. In fact, on the final night of the sailing, guests were treated to a performance in The Observation Lounge reminiscent of a live concert.

Multiple shore excursions are offered at both intimate and signature ports of call and it is recommended they be booked prior to sailing, due to space limitations. Options ranged from horseback riding and mountain treks to city tours and food tastings, among others. Pricing for excursions ranged anywhere from $100 to $500 per person, depending on the activity. Some guests conveyed that the shore excursions did not live up to the price point and that the yacht company might want to revisit and modify some of the experiences.

Despite the many favorable sides of Evrima, the yacht did experience a good deal of hiccups on its first sailing.  Guests onboard complained of leaky showers, non-working televisions and phones, inconsistent use of the online app, delayed laundry service, air-conditioning issues and more. While these inconveniences were frustrating, they didn’t keep most passengers from raving about the overall experience and even booking again while onboard.

One passenger aboard for the first sailing, who requested to remain anonymous, offered her feedback.  “The yacht is gorgeous, the staff is extremely kind and helpful and the food is amazing. Yes, there were some glitches but nothing that I don’t see being resolved over time. I have cruised a lot and this was not a typical cruise. There were very limited announcements over the PA system, the crew went out of their way to accommodate us, and it truly is a first-class, refined experience all around.”

Evrima is the first of three custom-built yachts from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection that are scheduled to debut over the course of the next three years. She will call on a number of destinations worldwide, starting with the Mediterranean and moving on to the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

All of the glitz and glamour of sailing on Evrima does not come without a hefty price tag. The average terrace suite runs about $7,000 per person for the sailing, which includes all food and beverages and access to the spa thermal suites and lounge. Extras include shore excursions, spa treatments, salon services, dining at S.E.A., and some premium wines.

That being said, Evrima’s unveiling affirmed there is a clientele who seeks the blending of resort casual and the intimate feeling of a yachting vacation with service excellence. Once they work out the kinks, the potential to attract a high-end passenger who seeks the Ritz-Carlton experience on the water is unquestionable.

Kerry Tice is a former TMR writer who is now the owner of Enticing Vacations, an affiliate of FROSCH-Mann Travels . 

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Just Back from Ritz-Carlton's Luxury Cruise Yacht Evrima

(4:20 p.m. EST) -- After eight delays spanning almost three years, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s first ship, Evrima, is finally here. And it’s been worth the wait.

The company’s mission is "to blend the lifestyle of the Ritz-Carlton resorts with the casual freedom of a yachting vacation". And from what we’ve seen on a flying visit to the 298-passenger ship, this mission has been accomplished. There have been a few teething issues since the yacht set sail from Barcelona in October, but once these are ironed out, Evrima looks set to carve its own niche in luxury cruising.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is a collaboration between The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, part of Marriott International, Oaktree Capital Management, and The Yacht Portfolio, an investment group owned by entrepreneur Douglas Prothero, founder and CEO. Making the move into luxury shipping makes complete sense; Ritz-Carlton not only has its own vast database of wealthy customers to tap into, but those of all the other upscale brands of the Marriott portfolio, from St. Regis to Edition and W.

Some 90 percent of the bookings so far are from customers who have never cruised before -- a figure other luxury lines can only dream of -- and Evrima is sailing almost full (in the suites that are ready, that is).

Passengers are younger, too; Prothero says that on some sailings, the age range is between 35 and 55, again, a market segment coveted by all cruise lines.

Prothero hired Tillberg Design of Sweden, a company with a long pedigree in fitting out luxury ships, to create the interiors, although he’s adamant that Evrima is a "yacht". "It’s the biggest superyacht in the world, not a cruise ship," he says. Like Scenic, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Four Seasons, which is also entering the luxury yacht market, the company seems to want to distance itself from the stigma associated with cruising.

Here are our first impressions from onboard Evrima:

Service Really Is A Winner

According to Prothero, some 50,000 employees across the Marriott group applied for 250 positions on Evrima. Accordingly, the company was able to pick the creme de la creme of its staff. Around half are from hotels and half from luxury cruise lines. Several senior officers on the hotel side of the ship have luxury hotel backgrounds and the sense of enthusiasm they exude is palpable. Waiters and bartenders come across as friendly and confident; there’s none of that slight sense of panic you sometimes feel on a brand-new ship.

Every guest has a Personal Assistant (not to themselves, but still) who acts as a fixer, whether it’s arranging laundry, making restaurant reservations, or setting up experiences ashore. There’s even an art concierge, not to conduct tacky auctions but to talk guests through the collection on board, much of which is for sale, and to give talks on galleries ashore. Passengers on social media forums discussing the first voyage have expressed nothing but praise for the crew.

There’s Not Even A Glimmer Of A Buffet

On Evrima, there really is no buffet. Not even a buffet-like setup with a euphemistic name like "marketplace". Instead, the various restaurants offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or just breakfast and lunch, or just dinner, depending on the schedule for the day.

The Pool House is super-casual, right by the pool, with a happy buzz, offering breakfast and then, all afternoon, burgers, wraps, lobster rolls, and poke bowls. Taalat Nam, which has just 80 covers, does Asian fusion that’s easily as good as anything you’d find ashore. We ate in here and the sushi, the satay, the mango salad, beef rendang, and noodles were perfection. Al fresco Mistral does classy, casual Mediterranean-inspired lunches and dinners, with almost all seafood locally sourced.

The Evrima Room, the main dining room, has a more elegant feel. Passengers clearly aren’t shy about spending money; there’s a private dining room to one side of the Evrima Room which can be taken for a dinner party and the night before we were on board, a group of 10 had asked for a truffle-themed dinner in there, for which they’d paid $300 a head.

Then there’s S.E.A. which stands for Sven Elverfeld Aboard; Elverfeld is the chef at the three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, in Germany. This room wasn’t set up when we visited and seemed a little stark, but no doubt looks more romantic at night. With a seven-course wine-paired tasting menu costing $285 per person, S.E.A. sails straight into position as the single most expensive restaurant on a ship.

Will The Kids’ Club Concept Work?

Surprisingly, a small kids’ club, Ritz Kids, runs along the side of Deck 8. Essentially, it’s a playroom with a soft play area, books, and games. It’s run by the watersports team when they’re not manning the marina platform and has an educational theme. Kids aged four to 12 are accommodated, although that’s a big age range to have in one space. There’s a cost, too: $45 per child for three hours.

The idea, we’re told, is that Evrima’s passengers are multi-generational groups who do everything together; this is not the kind of kids’ club where you’d just dump your offspring for the day.

The rest of the yacht doesn’t seem particularly child-friendly; it’s too sleek and beautiful, and too dedicated to lotus-eating. Let’s hope Evrima’s families come with well-behaved kids.

Suites Are Smart And Spacious

There are six categories of suites, from entry-level Terrace Suites to the two Owner’s Suites. The 12 duplex Loft Suites are likely to be in demand; their layout is clever, with the sleeping area downstairs, with a big picture window, and the relaxing and dining space upstairs, where there’s a balcony. They’re like very chic apartments.

Even the 90 Terrace Suites feel hotel rooms, thanks to high ceilings and generous seating areas. Minibars come with bottles of Moet, which are replaced whenever you want, and we love the elegant, if gimmicky Moet-branded stand that holds two champagne classes, which don’t have a base, just the flute and a delicate stem.

A word about the Owner’s Suites, which are not complete at the time of writing, due to the inevitable supply chain issues. We know they’ve got vast terraces and impressive whirlpools. How do we know? Because their terraces are in view of anybody leaning over the aft railing of deck 8. Privacy might be an issue – but on the other hand, some people like to be seen.

A Lot Is Included -- But Not Everything

Evrima includes many things, as you’d hope for a daily rate of more than $1,000 per person, but not everything. The S.E.A. restaurant has a cover charge of $285 per person, while menus in the private dining room also carry a surcharge. A wide selection of wines is poured with meals, with no compromise on quality – the house rosé, for example, is Whispering Angel. The premium wine list ranges from reasonable – $45 for a Sicilian red – to an eye-watering $9,900 for a bottle of vintage Mouton Cadet Rothschild.

WiFi is included, but if you want faster speeds, it’s $38 a day or $256 per week.

Spa treatments are on the costly side, with a 60-minute massage costing $225. What’s nice about the spa, though, is that it’s run by Ritz-Carlton, using British ESPA and 111 SKIN products, so there shouldn’t be any of the dreadful pushy sales pitches that you’d get in a OneSpaWorld facility. Then there’s the price for the kids’ club, which is unlikely to bother the kind of customer that sails on Evrima. But some things are surprising; $35 per gram if you want white truffles shaved onto your mushroom risotto, for example. And while other superyacht operators like Scenic and Aqua Expeditions include a range of excursions, on Evrima, you pay for all activities ashore.

Evenings Are Laid Back

You won’t find Broadway shows on Evrima, or comedians, quiz shows and magic acts. The focal point of nightlife is the Observation Lounge, a stylish bar and lounge with doors that open onto a chic deck area, dotted with loungers and giant clamshell beds. On balmy evenings, a DJ is stationed on a raised circular area, and the party goes on till late if the crowd's in the mood. There’s a jazz trio in The Living Room, too, which passengers love, but this is such a big space it’s hard to imagine it having an intimate, after dinner feel.

Things We Love

There are genuinely lovely touches at all levels. Big bottles of SPF30 and 50, as well as aloe gel for sunburn, are stationed at all sunbathing areas, so you can leave the sun lotion at home. In the spa, the couples’ massage room has an outside area, so you can enjoy an al fresco massage on a private balcony, shaded from the sun by gauzy curtains.

Other things: If you want a fun workout with friends, the exercise studio is available for private groups, at no charge, with more than 1,500 classes to choose between, playing in front of you on a big screen.

We absolutely love the concept of the Marina Terrace. When the ship is at anchor, the whole back of deck 3 opens up to create a stylish sunbathing area, right at water level, as well as a platform from which to launch the water toys. There’s more; big panels also fold out each side, creating more sunbathing space, while the covered area, protected from the sun but now open to sea breezes, serves as a bar with snacks.

We’re Not Quite Convinced By…

Evrima has no glaring misses, as such. Some spaces still feel a little stark, but should settle in. S.E.A. certainly feels minimalist but the tables weren’t laid when we visited. The big Living Room, which is all open plan to the reception area, the library and the shop, feels as though it could lack atmosphere in the evenings, especially as the yacht will follow the sun and guests are likely to be on deck or in the Observation Lounge. Having said that, passengers effusively praise the jazz musicians who play here.

The shop, while not a miss, is certainly aimed at the "one percent". When we were on board, they’d just sold a Hermès Birkin bag for a cool $34,000.

Itineraries Are Impressive

Appealing to the cash rich, time poor, itineraries are mainly just seven to 10 nights, designed around the ports and anchorages favored by the superyacht set, as well as marquee ports with appealing sightseeing. No two itineraries are the same, so anybody wanting a longer cruise can simply bolt two together.

Each itinerary, too, is designed to spend around two days at anchor, so the marina platform can be used to the full.

The Bottom Line

Evrima is a breath of fresh air. It’s beautiful, stylish, well designed, and confident. With the vast database of Marriott International to tap into, it’s going to expose an entire new, moneyed market to life at sea.

Will it revolutionize luxury cruising? We’re not sure. Scenic launches Scenic Eclipse II next year, while sister company Emerald Cruises has had terrific reviews for its own superyacht, Emerald Azzurra , pitched at a much lower price point than Evrima but oozing yachting chic nonetheless. SeaDream Yacht Club has revamped both its small ships, while Four Seasons will be entering the fray in 2025. So, there’s competition out there, although Prothero insists that his competition is a villa in Tuscany or a luxury safari, not other ships.

It’ll be interesting to see how Evrima’s sense of space and luxury translates to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s next two ships, which will have 228 suites as opposed to 149. But many of Evrima’s cool features and concepts -- and its superb service -- should certainly make other high-end lines sit up and take a good look.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

New Ship Preview: Ritz-Carlton Evrima

• February 28, 2021

The first Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ship will carry the name Evrima, tracing its roots to a name of Greek origin meaning “discovery.” According to the company, the name “inspires travelers to immerse themselves in exceptional experiences, explore new destinations and foster the spirit of adventure that makes travel so rewarding.”

The Evrima was originally scheduled for a February 2020 debut, which was postponed to June 2020 due to shipyard problems, and then for another 10 months to April 2021.

The majority of shareholders of the Hijos de J. Barreras shipyard – where the ship is being built – agreed to hand over control to Cruise Yacht Yard Co Ltd, an affiliated entity to Evrima’s owner, Cruise Yacht 1 Ltd, also led by Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. This effectively gave this newly formed entity oversight of the shipyard.

The new structure will ensure the timely completion of the Evrima, according to Ritz-Carlton.

Ship: Evrima

Cruise Line: Ritz-Carlton

Capacity: 298 passengers

Shipyard: Barreras, Spain

Estimated Delivery Date: April 22, 2021

Features and Design: The 190-meter Evrima has The Observation Lounge, The Living Room, the marina-style platform with sundecks that ensures direct access to the water, spa treatments.

The yacht boasts an impressive (for its size) 10 different dining experiences – from steaks and seafood to fully customised lunches and dinners. Culinary Director Chef Matthieu Godard will oversee all culinary activities and menu planning, as well as Executive Chef Lee Goble, who will lead the culinary team onboard.

The company is offering what it called a more leisurely cruise pace, allowing more time in each port.

Debut Season: The Evrima will set sail on her first voyage on July 24, 2021, from Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece.

Following Itineraries: The Evrima will be sailing various Europe locations during her five- to nine-night itineraries up until September 2021. From September 2021, it is scheduled to relocate to sail Canada and the U.S. and then the Caribbean. In April 2022, it will relocate to Europe again, visiting Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Croatia.

The 2022 to 2023 winter season runs from November through April, stopping at 15 new ports of call along the way, including Golfito, Costa Rica; Portsmouth, Dominica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Bocas Del Toro, Panama.

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The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Debuts Its First Ship, Evrima

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

333 Published Articles , 37 Edited Articles

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The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Is Now Sailing

Ritz-carlton yacht collection and marriott bonvoy, final thoughts.

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The luxury cruise industry has a new player with the debut of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. This new luxury yacht brand’s first ship, Evrima, set sail on October 15, 2022, on her first voyage.

Let’s take a look at the details of the new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and how it’s participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Fans of the Ritz-Carlton brand will be excited to check out the new luxury yacht, Evrima , which made her debut sailing this month on a journey from Barcelona, Spain to Nice, France.

This 190-meter yacht can accommodate 298 passengers in 149 luxury suites. Every room has a private terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows, a king-sized bed, and double vanity. There are even some 2-story suites onboard for the ultimate in luxury at sea.

Guests will have unique dining options onboard Evrima, including locally-inspired dishes in The Evrima Room, a sushi bar called Talaat Nam, and S.E.A., a program designed by chef Sven Elverfeld   of Aqua, a 3-star Michelin restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg. The in-house jazz band and classical musicians are part of the onboard entertainment as are expert-led discussions, and additional partnerships with local artists and musicians.

You might think the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is just for adults, but it’s actually family-friendly. There’s a dedicated space on board for Ritz Kids, the kids’ club for 4-12-year-olds offering activities designed for young travelers with an emphasis on marine conservation.

The yacht’s small size allows her to navigate smaller and more unique ports than a larger cruise ship, offering guests an immersive experience worthy of the Ritz-Carlton name.

Bottom Line: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection debuted in October 2022, with the inaugural sailing of the brand’s first ship, Evrima.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program , which means guests can earn or redeem Marriott points for luxury cruises, and nights at sea count toward Marriott elite status .

Marriott members will earn 5 points per $1 spent on Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sailings. Marriott points can be redeemed for discounts on sailing too. Your first 180,000 points will result in a $1,000 discount. After that, increments of 90,000 points can be redeemed for a $500 savings. That results in a value of 0.56 cents per point , which is less than the 0.7 value we assign to Marriott points.

Marriott elite members are also eligible for enhanced benefits based on their status tier including perks like:

• Marriott Bonvoy elite reception
• In-suite welcome gift
• Priority boarding
• Complimentary laundry

Hot Tip: Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you book a sailing by October 31, 2022, for select 2023 departures in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and Panama.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s first ship, Evrima, debuted on October 15, 2022. This new luxury cruise line will be sailing to popular destinations like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean and will offer guests an immersive experience through locally-inspired food and thoughtful shore excursions. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem Marriott points on Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sailings.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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My Experience on the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima

• February 28, 2024
• 41 Comments

My review of the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection’s new luxury yacht, Evrima, and what you can expect. Plus 8 tips to help plan your luxury cruise adventure.

We recently returned from a 5-night Caribbean cruise with Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection.

Aboard the Evrima .

Can I tell you about it?

Oh good, because you know I’m dying to …

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Jim’s been following the launch of the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection for several years.

And last year he booked us on a 5-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Evrima .

Come along as I relive our amazing experience.

Evrima , the first yacht of the collection launched in 2022, is a 149 cabin, 298 passenger ship.

Excuse me, yacht.

One does not refer to the yacht as a boat or a ship.

Now that we’ve got that straight, let’s talk more about the Evrima yachting experience.

GETTING THERE

First things first, we had to make our way to San Juan Puerto Rico. We flew American Airlines from San Francisco through Miami to San Juan arriving the evening prior to departure. We checked into the La Concha Renaissance Hotel, recommended by Ritz Carlton, using Bonvoy points for our one-night stay.

The next morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on our balcony overlooking the ocean and made the easy transition to island time.

By noon we were in the hotel lobby being ushered into a waiting car to be whisk away to board the yacht at the Pan American Dock. The boarding process was a breeze and before we knew it we were making our way up the gangway, enjoying a welcome cocktail and exploring our suite.

Jim and I have very different approaches to settling into a new environment. While I sipped my welcome cocktail and took in the view, Jim set about getting a handle on the technology situation.

THE YACHT – EVRIMA

Evrima set sail in October 2022 under the direction of Captain Kevin Falconer of Scotland (currently residing in Kansas City, when not captaining the yacht.). The yacht has five restaurants, six lounges, at least two pools, a spa and fitness center, cigar humidor/smoking room, boutique and, when at anchor, a marina with kayaks, paddles boards and other water toys available to enjoy right off the back of the yacht. And so much more.

The main gathering spaces are The Living Room and The Observation Lounge. Both popular spots to enjoy morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and, of course, after dinner and late night drinks and music. There are four or five really great musicians onboard who played solo and together, as well as a DJ. We were well entertained.

The yacht is elegant and understated, but the vibe onboard is friendly and casual. The dress code is ‘yacht casual’ and three of the restaurants suggest ‘yacht sophisticated’ attire. Interpretations vary. Widely.

Yacht Journey is an onboard app for guests to keep track of their cruise itinerary, maps for navigating the yacht, onboard activities and events, shore excursions, spa appointments, etc. What it does not do is update dining reservations which are booked once onboard the yacht. The app only functions onboard when connected to the yacht’s wifi. The app leaves a lot to be desired, but not to worry, a good old fashioned bulletin is deposited in each suite during evening turndown service and everything you need to know about the next day’s adventures (except dining reservations which you need to keep track of yourself) can be found there.

Evrima doesn’t have a cruise director so to speak. Andrew Kim is the yacht’s General Manager, and there are many concierges always available by phone or in the Living Room gathering space to assist with anything you need.

We booked a Signature Suite located on the 6th deck, roughly mid-ship. I loved everything about it and would choose the exact same room again.

Nothing says welcome like a chilled bottle of French bubbles.

The suite has a long entry hall, small dining and sitting areas, a nice bedroom with good storage and fairly spacious outdoor terrace … we couldn’t ask for anything more. Oh, the bathroom was a nice surprise too … more about that in a bit.

All our clothes fit easily into the his and her closets with plenty of room to spare. We packed way too much and I’ll discuss that in part two, What I Packed and Wore, next week.

The entry hall contains lots of storage with hooks, shoe shelves, and a bench. As well as a desk space, espresso machine, a nice selection of coffee pods and teas, a mini-fridge, electric kettle, ice bucket, and coasters. All the things.

While the sitting and dining areas are nice to have and make the room feel more spacious, we spent very little time using them. The table functioned more as a drop zone, and buffet table for our morning breakfast tray. The sofa converts to a bed but I can’t imagine traveling with more than two people in this suite.

The terrace is spacious with a couple of chairs, small tables and one chaise lounge. I wish there were two chaises … I hogged ours and spent quite a bit of time on the terrace with my book. I read Anderson Cooper’s Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune over the course of the voyage.

The very best part of the room, the king size bed. The most comfortable bed ever. Ever. We slept like babies and we chatted with other guest who said the same thing. I took a peek at the mattress, it’s Matermoll. Upon further investigation it appears this is a brand specifically for cruise ships and yachts. I’m sure the Frette bedding added to the comfort level. Speaking of Frette, the yachts bathrobes are the softest and coziest I’ve ever experienced. Same goes for the towels … also Frette. Whatever the cost, they’re worth it.

While we’re on the topic of bathrobes and towels, the suite bathroom was a nice surprise. Double vanity, plenty of storage, rain head shower and separate, full-size bathtub. The water closet contains another sink … as well as a second door opening into the entry hall (think Jack & Jill) which I guess makes it a powder room. A nice feature if entertaining others in your suite. I also appreciated the lighted makeup mirror … there’s also a large, lighted pull-up mirror in the bedroom’s vanity.

Leave your hair dryer at home. There’s a hairdryer in the bathroom, in a drawer and plugged in behind so you can’t move it around. I was unable to book a blow-out in the salon mid-cruise so I brought my hair dryer brush along. Unfortunately, the plug is too large for the available outlets near mirrors in the suite, so I used the hairdryer provided and it was fine. My curling iron plugged in without any issues.

THE RESTAURANTS & LOUNGES

Let’s talk about the food. It’s very good. There are five restaurants on the yacht (but no main dining room like a traditional cruise). We enjoyed all the restaurants multiples times. Except for S.E.A. which I’ll talk more about later. Restaurant reservations are made after boarding the yacht. Do this immediately, especially if you’re particular about your dining time.

The Pool House – the most casual restaurant on the yacht overlooking the main pool. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner at late night dining. The taco trio is delicious and my favorite thing on the menu … that I ordered on repeat. They have a really good burger too.

Mistral  – Mediterranean style cuisine, serving lunch and dinner.

Talaat Nam – serving southeast Asian food, Talaat Nam was our favorite restaurant for dinner. The spring rolls are amazing. Everyone on the yacht raved about them.  Hot tip – they’re available on the in-room dining menu too. Jim said their sushi was excellent.

The Evrima Room – the largest restaurant on the ship and has the feel of a main dining room. We had dinner here the first night, and it was very good, but it’s all indoor seating and we didn’t return. Had we been on a longer cruise we definitely would have gone back.

S.E.A. – is the only restaurant with an additional charge of $289 per person, plus wine pairings for a five-course European tasting menu designed by Chef Sven Elverfeld of Ritz Carlton’s three Michelin-star restaurant, Aqua. This is the only restaurant that offers advance (before departure) reservations.

The Living Room – The Living Room, on the main deck, serves as a community gathering spot and there are nibbles available throughout the day. This is really nice especially to grab something on your way back from an exhausting day onshore. Afternoon tea is served around 3:00pm and I recommend partaking at least once. And after dinner guests head here to socialize, play board games, listen to live music, dance and enjoy a nightcap.

The Observation Lounge – The Observation Lounge on the top deck is also a gathering spot with amazing views, but for whatever reason we spent more time in The Living Room.

The Bar – At the entrance to Mistral and Talaat Nam

Marina Terrace – on the third deck overlooking the marina  is the Marina Terrace that I never made it too. Jim got down there while we were anchored at Virgin Gorda. It’s hard to believe that on a relatively small ship there are many things I missed or didn’t have time to see … bottom line, it never gets boring.

The Humidor – On the top deck just before entering The Observation Lounge is the Humidor. Jim visited The Humidor a couple of times for a cigar and nightcap. I would have joined him just to be sociable, but cigar smoking (any kind of smoking) is only allowed inside the Humidor, and not on the adjacent deck. I didn’t want to get my clothes and hair all smokey.

In addition to the restaurants and lounges, in-suite dining is available 24/7. We opted for breakfast in our suite each morning and placed our breakfast card out before bed every night. Our breakfast always arrived right on time and we ate on our terrace.

All meals and beverages are included in the cruise fare, except S.E.A. There’s a standard wine and spirits menu which is wide ranging and quite good (so says Jim). In addition, specialty spirits and rarer wines are also available at an additional charge.

OUR ITINERARY

We chose a 5-night itinerary. Which is just the right amount of time for a cruise in my opinion. Any longer and I’d have to be carried off the ship in a food induced stupor.   Evrima’s itineraries vary from cruise to cruise both in duration and ports of call. The yacht traverses the Mediterranean and the Caribbean depending on time of year. And I believe they offer repositioning voyages. The yacht can also be chartered and the cruise after ours was an 8-day corporate charter. Crew members told us that the yacht has been chartered for weddings, family reunions and other events. How nice!

Ritz Carlton’s The Shore Collection offers a limited number of excursion options in most (not all) ports that can be booked about 30-days before sailing. Make sure to make you reservations right away because they fill up fast.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Our boarding time was 12:30pm so we weren’t able to spend any time exploring San Juan. I’ve visited San Juan in the past and highly recommend a pre or post cruise stay at one of the fabulous resorts on the island. The El Morro fortress in Old San Juan is not to be missed. I suppose we could have asked for a later boarding time, the ship didn’t depart until 7:00pm, and spent the day in San Juan but this was our first Ritz Carlton Yacht adventure so we went with the flow.

Our concierge led us to our suite where we took a quick tour and made our way to The Pool House for lunch. By the time we returned from lunch our luggage had arrived so we unpacked and set off again to explore the yacht.

A Welcome Aboard reception kicked off in the Observation Lounge. Champagne and other cocktails flowed and the Captain and ships officers circulated before scurrying back to the bridge. By 7:00pm we were seated for dinner in The Evrima Room as the ship got underway.

SANDY GROUND, ANGUILLA

We woke up the next morning at sea and enjoyed breakfast on our terrace before anchoring at Sandy Ground around noon.

The yacht’s daily bulletin suggested a couple of nearby destinations and restaurants and The Shore Collection offered excursions to Savi Beach or a snorkeling adventure (these are booked way in advance and most excursions were fully booked). The Marina was also open to guests wanting to snorkel, paddle board or use any of the other toys available off the back of the yacht. We opted to take the day as it came and took a tender ashore, wandered down the beach ending up at the Elvis Beach Bar. The Elvis is a total dive bar experience. Fabulous. We ordered ice cold beer, a couple of tequila shots and scored a couple of chaise lounges on the beach where we were happy to stay put for a couple of hours. We made our way back to the ship in the late afternoon in time to enjoy afternoon tea in The Living Room. A perfect first day.

GUSTAVIA, ST. BARTHELEMY (ST. BARTHS)

We opened our curtains on day two in Gustavia Harbor … and wowza! Jim said the harbor looked like an Oligarch convention in progress … the size of the yachts anchored around us was astounding. And looking toward the shore was the most charming Caribbean architecture … white buildings with red tile roofs surrounded by lush greenery. We were truly in paradise.

We booked a day at the Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa. One of two hotel-day pass options offered by The Shore Collection. The second group went to The Rosewood Le Guanahani which was pretty much next door. We compared notes once we were back on the yacht and it’s hard to say who had the more amazing experience.

While waiting to board our transportation to the hotels, we were all oh-my-gawding over the fabulousness that is the Gustavia port. This is not your average cruise port bustling with local vendors and tchotchke’s galore. No, this is a town full of hoity-toity designer boutiques … think Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Bulgaria, Hermes, Louis Vuitton. You get the idea. On our way to the hotels everyone plotted their plan of attack for our return. The yacht didn’t depart until 11:00pm, so we were free to book dinner reservations in town or shop to our hearts content. And many did exactly that. Later than night as we were enjoying a night cap in The Living Room we were highly entertained when a group of women traveling together (perhaps a birthday or bachlorette) stumbled off the last tender laden down with designer shopping bags and in very high spirits.

But back to the Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa . It was about a 30-minute drive to the other side of the island where we passed many more charming towns packed with high-end shops, restaurants and fabulous villas. We passed the Eden Rock St. Barths, owned by Pippa Middleton’s in-laws, and wondered why they weren’t offering day passes to the lowly Ritz Carlton cruise passengers. Anyway we arrived at the Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa and were ushered through the open air lobby to the infinity pool where we chose between umbrella covered chaises around the pool or on the Grand Cul de Sac beach. We opted for the beach and settled in for the day.

Our adventure included a leisurely 3-course lunch at Amis, the hotel’s French-Mediterranean restaurant. It was amazingly delicious and the bread was out of this world. Almost as good was the people watching at neighboring tables, guests parading up and down the beach, and table-side fashion show by the hotel’s boutique. We enjoyed seeing the French speaking servers traipse back and forth carrying magnums of chilled French rose. Jim wasn’t shy about waving them over to our table.

After lunch we took a walk down the beach and made our way back to our chaises before we reluctantly returned to the yacht. Before leaving we took a stroll through the Gypset La Boutique and Jim bought a fun shirt which he later regretted when he figured out he’d miscalculated the currency exchange. I was tempted by the cutest woven bag, but surprisingly I resisted. This is exactly how I want to spend everyday of vacation.

Here’s a page from Evrima’s St. Barths activity bulletin.

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA 

Antigua is the only port (besides San Juan) where we docked and could walk on and off the yacht.

Two large scale cruise ships were also in port … not mega-ships, but we were dwarfed in comparison.

We wandered through the town and found our way up the hill to St. John’s Cathedral.

After touring the church and grounds we found a taxi to Casa Roots a beach bar and restaurant on Runaway Beach. We didn’t have a reservation which caused a moment of anxiety, but we were early and managed to snag one of the best tables in this totally enchanting location. I ordered a Painkiller, Jim a sparkling rose and we settled in for another delicious lunch.

Afterwards we took a few steps out onto the beach where the restaurant has a secondary bar and rows of chaise lounges. We wandered up and down the beach before returning to the yacht.

Back on board we headed to the spa for hot stone massages. Heavenly.

SPANISH TOWN, VIRGIN GORDA, BVI

Last stop, Virgin Gorda. We booked an excursion to the Virgin Gorda Beach Baths where we traversed the caves made by massive granite boulders forming ‘baths’ between two beautiful beaches. The seas were rough with red flags warnings so there was no swimming. Back on the yacht it was too rough for the Marina to open up. The Baths is a very popular destination and it was packed. Not exactly a tranquil experience.

Another downside, the tour concluded with a too sweet drink at a restaurant at the top of the hill and we were there way too long. Despite it all, we had fun and I’m glad we went.

The last night of a cruise can be somewhat of a shock when you’re asked to pack your bags and leave your luggage outside your suite by 11:00pm. We knew from past experiences that this is standard operating procedure, but wondered if it might be different on the yacht. Sadly it was not. So we packed our bags before heading off to dinner. After dinner we went to The Living Room for a fun night of music with all the musicians on board getting together to form a band. Then it was time to make our way back to the suite.  We pushed our luggage into the hallway at 11:00pm on the dot. It was the first time we’d seen many of our neighbors also out in the hallway suffering the indignity of this inhumane procedure.

SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

Our vacation is over. What a rude awakening. No sleeping in, no room service … suites must be vacated by 8:00am. What?! We pushed the 8:00am deadline a bit and made it to The Living Room around 8:30am where we enjoyed our final croissants and pastries before disembarking. Everyone must be off the yacht by 9:30am. We headed down the gangway with 15 minutes to spare, claimed our luggage, found our car and were whisked back to where we started, La Concha Renaissance. The disembarking process was every bit as smooth and hassle free as boarding.

PRE & POST CRUISE

Ritz Carlton offers air and land packages both pre-and post cruise. San Juan is a wonderful city with a rich history and many places to explore. We would love to have extended our vacation by a few days, but it wasn’t in the cards.

Had we known we had to be off the ship by 9:30am we would have booked an earlier flight and headed straight to the airport. But we didn’t know so we arranged for a room at the La Concha Renaissance for the day using Marriott Bonvoy points. This is where we stayed the night before the cruise as recommended by Ritz Carlton. It’s an okay hotel but I would not recommend it for an extended stay. We arrived at the hotel before 10:00am, dropped luggage in our room, took a walk on the beach, and had lunch by the pool before heading to the airport.

What would we do differently? Well … not much other than book through a speciality travel agent who might have advised us about booking earlier flights, options for shore activities, and provided a clearer picture on what to expect onboard on onshore. Also providing us with a consistent and reliable point of contact. You don’t know what you don’t know and it would have been nice to have had an experienced source to guide us. And that is my number one tip:

• Book through a travel agent. Preferably a cruise specialist. Ritz Carlton’s booking services were frustrating and inconsistent. We were disappointed.
• Book air travel directly or through a trusted travel agent. Ritz Carlton’s air/land desk quoted us airfares at twice the rate we could purchase them directly. For the exact same flights.
• If your cruise departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Uber, and Lyft are readily available and significantly less expensive than Ritz Carlton arranged transfers. Significantly less.
• Start following the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection Instagram account, and the Instagram account of Evrima’s 1st officer, Jack Ramsay . Jack offers glimpses into the yacht’s whereabouts and behind the scenes. Also follow hashtags like #ritzcarltonyachtcollection and #evrima to see what other passengers are saying, doing and wearing onboard.
• Book Shore Collection excursions, spa and salon appointments and S.E.A. reservations as soon as they are available. We received an email announcing that bookings were open about 30 days before sailing. Everything books up fast.
• Book dinner reservations early to get your choice of best tables. All restaurants open at 6:30pm, if you book between 6:30-7:00pm and show up 5 minutes early, you’re golden.
• If you’re not a Marriott Bonvoy member, consider becoming one so you can accrue points for your cruise. Being a member will also give you access to some additional benefits onboard.
• There is no ATM onboard, so bring some cash. U.S. currency is readily accepted in all the ports we visited. And we wanted to leave cash tips for our room stewards and a few others who went above and beyond during our voyage. Otherwise, tips are included in the fare and not expected, except in the spa and salon.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was our first luxury cruise experience so we have nothing to compare it too. We’ve both been on larger ships, before we met, and one cruise together. That cruise was on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and we were accompanied by a posse of 10 kids ages 20 – 25 (Kyle, the nieces and one friend each). I thought it was great, so did the kids. Jim thought it was too darned big (although he seemed to be having a grand time).

The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection’s second yacht, Ilma , sets sail later this year. I believe they’re already taking reservations. Larger than Evrima , Ilma has a 456 guest capacity. A third yacht, Luminary,  is expected to debut in 2025.

I asked Jim to share his thoughts … and favorite thing and he said …  ‘the humidor, obviously, but aside from that the trip exceeded my expectations in every way. From the size of the yacht that made it an intimate experience, never crowded, super low key, and great food, I loved the smaller, intimate feel of the yacht, favorite port St. Barths.’ He’s already looking for our next itinerary … maybe the Greek islands. Or back to the Caribbean?

So there you have it, a review of my Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection experience.

I’ll be back next week with part two of our Caribbean adventure …

Everything I and Wore on the Cruise

If you have questions, by all means drop them in the comments section.

Until then, cheers from Snowberry!

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what a fun trip and review Juliet! Rod and I are in desperate need for sun. Ironically we leave for Scotland/ Ireland in May with family ( not exactly a tropical destination).

Happy Leap Day

Oh my gosh, you’re going to have the best trip and maybe you’ll see some sun … and beautiful rainbows. I envy you … Scotland and Ireland are on my bucket list. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Can’t wait to hear all about your travels. xo

I really like your travel posts, pictures and little details. Your wit about other passengers dealing with the inhumane 11pm suitcase in hallway practice, funny! I like you two have fun together be it dive bar w cold beer and tequila shots or classy dinner. We’re more beach resorts vs cruising but the diversity of adventures is tempting.

Hi Carol, thanks for reading and appreciating my sarcasm. We’re totally beach resort people too and that’s why it’s been such a long time we considered a cruise. Jim’s been fascinated with Ritz Carlton’s small ship concept and I have to say, other than some booking frustrations, they’ve really pulled it off. I love unpacking once and letting my floating hotel room take me to many fabulous beach resort locations. And one of the great things about cruises is you don’t have to go tromping around on tours with the masses, you can go straight to one of the beautiful island resorts and spend the day lounging pool – or beach – side. Have an amazing day! xo

This morning we got an email about the Ritz Carlton Cruise Collection, and we also go the email with this overview. SO helpful! Thank you!! I can’t wait to see what you packed!

Hi Judy, Two RC emails this morning … could it be a sign?!!!! I hope so! xo

” Ritz Carlton’s booking services were frustrating and inconsistent. We were disappointed.” I had the same experience with Princess and canceled because of it. I kept giving them “one more chance” and they kept failing to meet basic expectations. I just felt like they did not care about the passengers. I am going to give Ritz yatch collection a serious consideration. The large ship did we were booked on, did not thrill me. To quote again “too darned big”. Thank you for your review, looking forward to reading more!

Hi Linda, I think booking through a travel agent, an experienced one, is key. It doesn’t cost anymore and the benefit it adds can really make or break a vacation experience. Once we were on the ship, the service was wonderful … everything about it was wonderful. So, I’m we persevered … but next time my first call will be to an experienced travel professional. Part two … coming next week. I hope. Ha! xo

Juliet, your trip looks amazing! I love all of the details and honesty about the service. Always good to know when booking a trip. I’ve only been on 2 cruises, one big ship(Caribbean)and one small in the Mediterranean and preferred the smaller one. Of course that could have been the location as well. Looking forward the the next post!

Good morning, Elizabeth … the size of the ship does make a difference. Although I love cruises, hard stop. This one was unique and special. And I’m so glad Jim talked me into it. xo

Well this sounds heavenly. I have never been remotely tempted by a cruise, but the greek isles! Great review!

Hi Cindy! I used to think the same thing. … then I took a cruise and changed my mind. The idea of unpacking only once, while my hotel room takes me to different and fabulous places was a key selling point. The Greek islands are too. Ha! xo

FABULOUS write up! I’m so happy I found you (have been following from your start:-) Looking forward to Part 2

Hi Sherry! Thank you so much for being here from the beginning. It means so much to me. I’d better get busy on part 2 and not drag my feet like I did with this on. Ha. Have a beautful day! xo

Looks like a fantastic trip. I’ve been on several cruises but they were the “big ship” cruises. Never done anything like this and it looks amazing!!! Your pictures are beautiful!! Thanks for the tips and tricks!! By the way, I read “Astor” and loved it!! I thought it was better than “Vanderbilt.” Have a blessed day!

Hi Robbin, I recently started Vanderbilt, and agree with you. As for the cruise, the difference between it and a big cruise was pretty amazing … lots of similarities too. Wishing you a beautiful day! xo

Hi Juliet, It sounds like you both had a swell time. You two know how to have fun together. You gave such detailed information I think you would be well suited as a travel agent. The views looked pretty and the food looked yummy. Look forward to what you have to share next. On a side note thank you so much for creating a much darker print to leave in the comment section. My eyes aren’t the best. Now I can see what I’m typing.

Hi Katherine, I’d love to be a travel agent but I think I’m too opinionated and bossy for that. I’d love all the freebie travel adventures though! Glad the comment section is working for you … keep those comments coming!!! xo

What a heavenly trip! Thanks for the vicarious sunny vacation!

Good morning, Molly … as I look out the window to another rainy day, I wish I was back in the islands! Thanks for stopping by. xo

I’ve been waiting for this post. The trip and yacht sound amazing!

Hi Leila … it was truly amazing! Thanks for checking in. xo

Juliet, I was looking forward to your review, since I researched this ship/yacht when you mentioned your upcoming trip. Some varied comments for sure. It looked like a very special itinerary. I am a fan of PONANT, a French line initially out of Brittany ( flying the Breton flag…stripes like the sweaters) . The Explorer ships, all fairly new with award winning interiors , have wonderful itineraries and only 92 cabins ,all with balconies, max 184 passengers. I do not like crowds, so perfect for me. On the three cruises I have enjoyed, there were less than 130 on board. The food, service and amenities are excellent. If booking early on , you can have a 25-30 % reduction. I went to the Caribbean, but I prefer sailing around Atlantic France and Great Britain. Because of the size of these smaller ships, one amazing perk is sailing under Tower Bridge on the Thames and tying up next to the HMS Belfast, a remaining warship opposite the Tower of London. Viking is way down the Thames , as are other ships. One itinerary that I’d like to choose sometime is sailing the Baltic from Stockholm across to the UK with stops in several ports in between. I love history, so this would be a good one, and know little about Denmark, Norway and Sweden. A funny story…a passenger packed up after the last dinner, got her suitcases collected at about 4:00 am while she slept. In the morning, after changing out of her nightie, she was horrified to find she’d neglected to leave out her clothes for that morning and leaving the ship! Ooops!

Hi Cath … oh my gosh, that’s too funny. Well, funny if you’re not the one left stranded without clothes. Oh no!!! PONANT is new to me, I’ll have to check it out and I’m going to forward your comment to Jim as he will be fascinated about these other options to explore. I always think of cruising as sort of a warm-weather resort style vacation … and I’ve never cruised in Europe but it certainly sounds appealing and a wonderful way to see many countries while moving around in high style. Thanks for all this great info. xo

I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. Looks so amazing. Thanks for the tour!

MA! You make me laugh. It was pretty cool. xo

What a wonderful post! Very informative! I will definitely look at that ship. We enjoy small ship cruises but are still very cautious.

Thanks, Kate. We really had a great time and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. Jim, who drove our decision to take this trip, can’t wait to do it again. xo

Juliet, I thoroughly enjoyed this post and all your details! I felt like I was on the trip with you , which I love. How awesome you got to see Saint Barts this way. The room on the ship look like a dream too. I like how it wasn’t crowded and you had different restaurants to go to. Sort of reminds me of Bora Bora. Thanks for all the tips at the end about booking with an agent and stuff. Max and I would’ve done the same as you and have no clue.

Now I’m looking forward to seeing what you packed you next!

Thanks, Kim … live and learn, right?! I know you’re not a cruise person, but this was very uncruise like … but still on a boat. Ha. That makes no sense. xo

I have been looking at the Ritz Carlton cruises- they look fabulous!! We have cruised with Seabourn-and did a 2 week cruise- it’s so great to not have to repack to go home , quite so quickly!! We just booked Silverseas to go to Alaska for Bob’s 70th!!! We are tying it into our time at the beach house, and was lucky to find a cruise that left out of Vancouver and met our time requirements!! Your vacation looked wonderful!! Currently pictures!

Marha! That sounds wonderful and to be able to go to and from Vancouver is great. Alaska will be so beautiful, and you’re right, the best part of a cruise is unpacking once and taking your hotel room to fabulous places. xo

That should have said cute pictures!

Thanks so much for taking us along! What a wonderful review!

Thanks, Leslie! xo

this was so helfpul, thank you, booked on Evrima for next week, based on my experience so far I am totally agreeing with you and appreciate the tips for the next steps!!

Oh my gosh, next week! Is that the last Caribbean cruise of the season? So excited for you … please keep me updated. Bon voyage! xo

Katie (Preppy Empty Nester) sent us here today and I’m so glad she did. What an experience!! I can feel the sunshine through your pictures and descriptions. Thank you for your advice at the end – those little tidbits are always so valuable and only something an “insider” can give.

Hello Jenni, Welcome! I adore Mrs. Katie Clooney and I’m so happy to have you here. Thank you for your kind words, the trip was amazing and I’ve heard from many others that they’re considering similar adventures. Are you planning any warm weather vacations soon?! xo

Fantastic, thorough review, Juliet!

We’ve sailed on Crystal (previous Hong Kong owner, not Abercrombie & Kent, the new owner), both ocean and river, and enjoyed those a lot. We sailed Viking river in France, which was a bit crowded and competitive for seating, so we will not do that again.

I wonder if RC is already thinking the smaller ship model of Evrima is less viable than 500 guests?

Hi Joan, you’ve certainly had a lot of luxury cruise experience. What fun! I think RC planned there three yachts from the beginning. I really liked the size of Evrima and would probably pick her again over the new slightly larger ships. xo

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Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection debuts its first ship, Evrima

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is finally ready to debut its first ship. 

The 298-guest Evrima , originally due to debut in January 2020, is today (October 15) setting sail on her maiden voyage from Barcelona (Spain) to Nice/ Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) .

The superyacht will sail in the Americas (Central and South), the Caribbean, and Europe's Mediterranean Sea.

Evrima, which translates from Greek to "discovery," is expected to offer a menu of spa treatments and amenities like a sauna and steam room; watersports from the marina; and an infinity pool. 

Dining options include a specialty dining experience by Sven Elverfeld, head chef of Aqua, a restaurant at Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg in Germany. Aqua has 3 Michelin stars. 

Due to construction delays (shipbuilder's financial difficulties caused by the Coronavirus crisis), the vessel's delivery was first postponed for 6 months - from November 2020 to April 2021. Evrima's inauguration was rescheduled eight times - from 2020 (June 14) to 2021 (April 22, June 14, July 25, November 10) and 2022 (May 6th, June 25th, August 6th, and finally for October 15th). A total of 138 voyages (74x planned for 2020-2021 plus 64x planned for 2021-2022) were canceled.

Ritz-Carlton's  shipbuilder  is Astilleros Barreras Shipyard (Hijos de J. Barreras SA, with parent company Tropical Hoteles SA) in  Vigo Spain . The vessel's construction (yard/hull number 1705) officially started with the keel-laying ceremony held on January 11, 2018. 

On October 9, 2018, the vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) and moved to a shipyard pier for final outfitting. During the ceremony was also announced its initial name "Azora". In 2019, however, Ritz-Carlton decided to change the name and started to call the ship "Yacht 1". On October 14, 2019, was officially announced the vessel's new name "Evrima".

On March 20, 2021, the vessel (towed from Vigo) arrived at Astander Shipyard in  Santander  for exterior finishing (drydock works).

The Stunning Ritz Carlton EVRIMA Yacht

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When it comes to combining luxury, performance, and sophistication in the yachting world, few vessels can hold a candle to the majesty of EVRIMA. Delivered by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, this innovative 624-foot vessel is a testament to modern yachting elegance.

Situated in the glamorous superyacht marinas of Barcelona, Spain, and Bridgetown, Barbados, EVRIMA stands in a league of her own, ready to set sail to signature destinations like St. Barts, Mykonos, and Saint-Tropez​

EVRIMA is not just a yacht; she is a floating luxury hotel, accommodating up to 298 guests in her 149 meticulously designed suites. The suites range in size from 300-square-foot Terrace suites to the crown jewel Owner’s Suite, which boasts over 1,000 square feet of luxury. The intimate size of EVRIMA ensures a personalized experience for everyone on board, with a crew of 246 attending to every need and whim​.

EVRIMA Yacht Interior

EVRIMA’s interiors are as breathtaking as the seas she sails. The yacht features a range of suites including 300-square-foot Terrace suites, 575-square-foot View suites, 600-square-foot two-story Lofts, and the crown jewel Owner’s Suite with over 1,000 square feet of opulent space​. Every suite is a haven of luxury, offering guests a serene retreat after a day of exploration.

The dedicated crew of 246 ensures all needs are met, offering a highly personalized experience for everyone on board​.

EVRIMA Yacht Exterior

Details regarding the exterior design of EVRIMA are yet to be explored. However, the sleek silhouette of the yacht coupled with modern design elements surely encapsulates the essence of modern yachting elegance.

EVRIMA Yacht Specifications

As a remarkable vessel from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, EVRIMA sets the bar high when it comes to luxury cruising. Although the specifications regarding her speed, engine type, and cruising range are yet to be disclosed, the yacht promises to deliver an unmatched cruising experience.

EVRIMA Yacht Price

The pricing details of EVRIMA are yet to be unveiled. However, she represents a significant investment in luxury cruising, offering an exceptional value for the discerning yachtsman.

EVRIMA Yacht Conclusion

In summary, EVRIMA is a floating masterpiece that elevates the very notion of luxury travel on the high seas. From her meticulously designed suites to her exceptional service, and from her ability to reach signature destinations to her promise of an immersive experience with locally-inspired food and thoughtful shore excursions, EVRIMA leaves nothing to be desired​.

Whether you’re seeking an unparalleled family vacation or looking to explore the azure waters of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean from a supremely comfortable base, EVRIMA offers a sublime yachting experience that promises to be as unforgettable as the destinations she can take you to.

In a world where luxury and performance often intersect, EVRIMA is a shining example of what it means to travel in style on the high seas.

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The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveils its first ship Evrima, ready to start sailing

The long-delayed debut of  The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection , the new cruising arm of luxury hotel chain  Ritz-Carlton , will actually happen on Saturday, according to the company. Its first ship, the 298-passenger Evrima, is finally finished and will begin its first sailing. The brand even sent photos to prove it.

As the company promised when it announced the brand, the 10-deck-high vessel’s interiors have an elegant, residential look designed to appeal to Ritz-Carlton regulars. Among marquee spaces is the top-of-the-ship Observation Lounge, which offers views over the bow from curving, floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s also an interior “living room” that will serve as a central gathering point on the ship, photos of which the brand did not provide.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Evrima

The company didn’t provide images of the Owner’s Suites but offered a peek inside a Loft Suite and smaller Grand Suites and Signature Suites. The latter two categories of rooms still are large by cruise ship standards at 587 square feet and 427 square feet, respectively, not including balcony space. All of these suite categories offer living room space with spots for dining, as well as bedrooms.

There is a generous deck-top lounge space for sunbathing, including a back-of-the-ship area with a small pool on Deck 8 called the Mistral Terrace and a forward-looking area on Deck 9 called the Spa Terrace. The Mistral Terrace doubles as a venue for alfresco lunch and dinner, with a seafood bar and prime cuts of meat grilled to order. Another lounge space called the Marina Terrace is closer to the waterline at the ship’s rear-facing marina area.

In addition to a main restaurant called the Evrima Room, Evrima has four dining venues that, notably, include an a la carte restaurant designed by Sven Elverfeld of the three-Michelin-starred Aqua in The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg in Germany. There also is a spa on the vessel. The line didn’t provide images of the Elverfeld restaurant or the spa.

Evrima’s first sailing on Saturday will be a seven-night trip from Barcelona to Nice, France, that will include stops in Spain’s Balearic islands of Alcudia and Palma de Mallorca, plus an overnight in St. Tropez, France. The ship has been plagued by construction problems for years, resulting in a succession of eight delays that have pushed back its arrival by nearly three years. The company initially used a shipyard to build Evrima that had little experience constructing upscale vessels.

Evrima is just one of a number of relatively small, yachtlike cruise ships that are coming to market as hospitality brands see demand for intimate, high-end vessels. Emerald Cruises earlier this year unveiled its first yachtlike ocean cruise vessel, the 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra, after several years of only operating river ships. And just last month, luxury hotel chain Four Seasons announced plans to launch a yachtlike, 190-passenger cruise vessel by 2025.

Luxury cruise operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours also is in the midst of adding high-end, 228-passenger, yachtlike vessels. Rising 10 decks high and with capacity for nearly 300 passengers, Evrima is notably bigger than the vessels operated by these other brands, though it still has a yachtlike shape.

Evrima is just the first of several vessels that Ritz-Carlton plans for its new cruising arm. In March, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection announced that two more vessels for the brand would be built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard  in St. Nazaire, France — a shipyard with far more experience in cruise shipbuilding than the shipyard that initially built Evrima.

The two new Ritz-Carlton vessels, which will be bigger than Evrima, are scheduled to debut in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

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The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Sets Sail

Evrima, the first vessel of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, set sail on her maiden voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon last month.

Envisioned to perfectly blend the lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton resorts with the casual freedom of a yachting vacation, Evrima , has launched, delivering highly tailored getaways for travellers seeking to wholly immerse themselves in the culture of each destination.

The specially designed yacht measures 190-meters and can accommodate up to 298 passengers. The onboard experience reflects the sublime comfort and legendary service for which the hotel brand is known, with one of the highest staff and space ratios at sea. The design of the yacht’s 149 suites is one of the many tone-setting elements.

In addition to offering a high percentage of large suites, Evrima also features several innovative two-story loft suites, a unique duplex accommodation. All rooms feature a private terrace and floor to ceiling windows, resulting in some of the most airy and expansive guestrooms at sea.

Through a blind wall, select suites also have the option to be combined into larger, open-concept spaces allowing for more flexibility when selecting accommodations. All suites feature the luxurious amenities that visitors expect from Ritz-Carlton properties around the world, including a king bed, double vanity bathroom, luxury linens, and more.

Travellers enjoy a relaxed sense of freedom aboard Evrima , with access to a range of elevated programming and amenities including a thoughtfully curated menu of ESPA and 111SKIN spa treatments, a sauna and steam room, watersports from the yacht’s marina while at anchor, an infinity pool, a fitness studio and more.

Guests can also select from a breadth of dining options including locally-inspired creations in The Evrima Room, creative interpretations of Southeast Asian Cuisine and a sit down sushi bar at Talaat Nam, a specialty dining experience in S.E.A., designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg , and more. Enriching entertainment on board includes intimate performances by in-house jazz and classical musicians, discussions led by renowned experts, and partnerships with local arts and music communities.

Families exploring the world together can enjoy a dedicated space on board for Ritz Kids. The Ritz Kids programming, tailored for young guests between the ages of four and twelve, has been crafted to appeal to children’s curiosity and innate love for discovery, with an emphasis on marine conservation.

Unveiling unique itineraries and immersive experiences, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection carves out an exclusive space within the industry while exemplifying the brand’s forward-thinking approach to luxury hospitality. Stopping at both intimate and signature ports of call, most voyages range from seven to ten nights, with no two journeys alike so that guests can combine itineraries without repeating a destination.

Depending on the season, Evrima visits the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Destinations along the way range from Spain’s Balearic Islands and coveted havens along the French Riviera, to the aquamarine shores of Aruba and the tropical coastlines of Costa Rica. The intimate size of Evrima also allows unique access into some of the most sought-after ports of call, delivering yacht-style cruising in destinations such as Mykonos, Saint-Tropez, and St. Barts.

For more   Experiences   click   here .