WASHINGTON — Chevy Chase, Maryland-based The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. has set the itineraries and opened reservations for the first Ritz-branded cruise ship that sets sail in 2020.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will eventually include three yachts. The first can accommodate up to 298 passengers in its 149 suites. Each suite includes its own private terrace, and guests get a dedicated personal assistant to help them plan activities.
The first yacht will cruise a wide variety of destinations, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada and the Northeastern U.S.
Because of its size — 190-meters — it can also call on locations typically not accessible to larger cruise ships.
Traveling at sea in luxury comes with a price.
Cabin fares for its inaugural 10 day Caribbean cruise in February 2020 from Fort Lauderdale to Martinique start at $7,900 to more than $33,000 for of the the yacht’s Owners Suites.
“As the first luxury hotel company to bring the legendary service and ambiance of its resorts to sea, we are thrilled to offer guests a new way to create memories with The Ritz-Carlton,” said Lisa Holladay, global brand leader for The Ritz-Carlton.
“From the yacht’s design, to programming onboard and ashore, every aspect of the voyage has been carefully created to embody the signature service and casual luxury of a Ritz-Carlton resort,” she said.
The ship, and two others coming later, are owned by private investors led by Oaktree Capital Management LP.
The Ritz-Carlton has a long-term management contract. The Ritz, and its parent company Marriott International, do not have a financial investment or ownership stake in the ships.
