While the Ritz-Carlton hotel is a luxury all on its own, they have officially announced another Ritz-Carlton luxury on water, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. They announced their itineraries for the collection and are scheduled to begin their journeys on water in early 2020. While minor details are still to come, the hospitality operator has begun taking reservations on May 21st from their loyalty members and also those from the Marriot International, who are the parent company of the Ritz-Carlton.
Doug Prothero, the managing director of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, came up with the plan and is now in charge of the Ritz-Carlton Ocean Yacht cruise experience. His ideal plan was to bring the original brand’s service to a yachting lifestyle. Prothero who once owned the tall ship, Silva, is also a chairman of Sail Training International. Sail Training International helps train young individuals to sail.
The Ritz-Carlton’s Yacht Collection is labeled as unique for their hybrid experiences between yachting and cruising.
Within their plan include three different yachts. Each yacht will be announced into service in three different years, 2020, 2021, and 2022. These 191-meter-long yachts will have 149 terrace suites that range from 29 to 100 square meters. They are designed to be interconnected through the smaller suites. Also included in these yachts is a beach attached with a swim platform that can be lowered into the sea with a variety of water activities. Some of these activities include paddle boards, kayaks, and sailboats. To top it off, the Yacht is also equipped with a champagne bar, main lounge, and five dining venues.
Though each yacht’s destination plan is not fully developed, we do know each yacht experience will offer seven to ten-day itineraries designed to allow guests to double book without repeating any past ports.
The first Yacht voyage will begin on February 1st, 2020. This voyage will travel to the Caribbean and Latin America. From there they will head to the Mediterranean. There is also a program in Northern Europe that will go into the Baltic to St. Petersburg, then to Oslo-Faroes, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland and Labrador to Halifax. Before returning, they will be traveling to Canada and New England. These yachts are a hybrid between a yacht and a cruise so there will be more overnights and will focus on smaller ports due to their yacht-pace.
Yacht Two is planned to go through St. Lawrence Seaway, Montreal then to Chicago. The Ritz-Carlton has planned these stops in hopes of these destinations being a great alternative to the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.
Yacht Three is the least mentioned, only stating it will be based in the Pacific. We all must wait and anticipate the excitement of Yacht Three’s destinations until finalized.
There are several experiences awaiting ahead including visiting a winery in Bordeaux and learning how baby oysters are grown in Sete, France.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will include 40 different voyages and also shore excursions. These shore incursions will be organized into five categories. These categories consist of Iconic Sights, Stirring the Senses, Cultural Connections, Active Explorations, and Epicurean Experiences, according to the company.
